SAFET Y LAWRENCE FRY | REGIONAL SAFETY MANAGER Productivity and Safety Combined in Our Best Pre-Planning Tool Quality planning is critical to the success of Helix Electric. Improving our ability to implement quality planning helps us become more productive and keeps our employees safe and healthy. The Pre-Task Plan (PTP) is our best communication tool for combining productivity and safety in a simplified format. PTPs are the critical preplanning tool employees complete before starting every routine task they perform. The PTP should be specific to the task and in the area where the work is being performed. This allows employees to identify the specific hazards associated with the activity. When multiple people are doing the same task in the same area, they should work together to create the PTP for the activity. Everyone performing the same task should be involved in describing the task and identifying the necessary tools, known hazards, and proper safety controls. Employees need to work together, ask questions, and come up with solutions as a group. The active dialogue will help employees find the safest and most efficient way to perform your task. Once the PTP is completed, everyone on the crew should sign the form. Throughout the day employees need to evaluate their work area for changes. If a change in conditions occurs mid-task (i.e. you are going to use ladders instead of lifts, painters start painting in the area) the group needs to re-evaluate the hazards and appropriate controls. Incidents are more likely to happen when we do not address hazards or deviate from our plan. The PTP also has a box next to each name in the Crew Signature section for a Mid-Shift Review (MSR). The MSR is intended to be a quick review of the plan when the crew returns to the work area from lunch. This will serve as a reminder of the plan, the associated hazards, and the safety controls. If you identify new hazards at the MSR, you should update the PTP or complete a new one if necessary. Supervisors should review PTPs and are encouraged to ask open-ended questions of the crew to ensure all the hazards are properly identified and adequate controls are in place. For example, “When you listed tools, what tools were you meaning”? After reviewing the PTP, supervisors are encouraged to communicate feedback with employees about any changes, improvements, or positive affirmation as to the quality of the PTP. Supervisors should also write down any modifications they feel employees should include on the PTP and sign it daily. It allows the employees to go back and review their supervisor’s expectations and make any necessary adjustments.
SPRING 2021
HELIX ELECTRIC NEVADA
11
