Asking for a hand.

TCC GROUP 'ONSITE SAFE'
In recent discussions with a group of workers about a manual handling incident the question arose as to why a worker would attempt to lift a piece of work or equipment that was obviously going to be difficult to lift and move by themselves...whilst across from them there were 2 other members of his team nearby who could assist.A common enough situation which I bet all of us have been a party to .Why did the worker not ask for assistance?In this case the response was that they were sure it would not be too heavy,they would be quick in setting up,..it would take too long to ask them...they were occupied with their own job...a crane was taking too long ...All these responses as part of an explanation as to why they couldnt ask for assistance. the job required reaching over and flicking..not lifting heavy angle irons to be laid out for sandblasting and spray painting on trestles...not light things I must say.The danger was more than two fold in that not only could the worker have strained back,overexerted...but also could have pinched hand or had steel flicked into face or other part of body as a result of steel kicking back.

This was one aspect of the incident.The hard and and an un acknowledged risk.

The second major aspect was the unwillingness to ask for assistance from workmates or indeed I suppose the fact that other workers had not offered nor identified that the work being attempted was liable to put a work mate at risk...indeed the behaviour wasnt even perceived directly by supervision as being a problem or unusual at all.This second area is an issue because it is obvious that there is something stopping or preventing perception of the risk to the level where they care enough to act or actually work as a team to protect their workmates and take on the duty of care aspect.What is preventing them from acting.There is a need to look at this further.

PEER GROUP PRESSURE;
Certainly this plays a part along with group or organisational norms.The fact that it m,ay not be seen to be being a man to ask for a hand to lift heavy items,shyness,bluging behaviour or a lack of taking responsibility individually in organising 'your own work'as apposed to someone elses.What else is at work though here.Is it important that the other workers saw but did not act ?Whats the role of developing a true team spirit and attitude and do we really know what we are doing when we are talking about getting people working together in teams...do we understand our responsibility in this area?I find that the norms set up in a work place can be come both powerful facilitators of change in behaviours as well as hindrances as they become ingrained.Norms and group behaviours as well as individual can be fostered, facilitated and changed for the good ...but you need strong examples and leadership to re enforce them.A suitable organisational and team culture needs to be created.More to follow.What do you think?