M
Mike23
Guest
So, I was thinking today while waiting for my medication for strep throat (nice day off due to that) about how unsafe and how many injuries occur at UPS. I've decided, instead that on top of a 'safety committee' they also need first responders.
Of course, not ACTUAL first responders (unless people are certified in it) but just your basic first aid people. After a few injuries I've been part of (both witnessed and literally been part of) I came to realize that UPS management has 0 clue about what to do when someone's hurt. Heck, our depot doesn't even have ice packs (the simplest common sense thing next to band aids!).
Why not, at least on each shift, have 2-3 people certified in 1st aid and make it KNOWN that they're certified. Post their picture and give them a little band to wear on their arm or something that's reflective so people know who to go to when help is needed.
I remember reading a little while ago about a driver who saved a managers life by performing CPR because the manager was having a stroke. Well, what if that guy wasn't right there when the manager had a stroke? What if he was on the other side of the building? He would never know about it and that manager would be dead. With the little band someone yells for a first aider he's quickly located (due to the little band) and precious time is saved trying to locate someone to perform proper CPR.
It's not just for CPR though, think of the amount of sprains, breaks, cuts that UPS employees suffer every year. I know drivers would not be able to help fellow drivers on road (obviously) but inside the building before hitting the road I'm sure they could (or at least a preload first aider could). It would also help in giving the employees more of a neutral footing. How many times do you hear, 'well, it costs the company $$$ if you go see a doctor about this. Just give it a few days and see how it is' (our center manager's favorite saying).
Lets face it, our center manager's DO NOT have our best interest at heart. They have their own best interest at heart. If you put a first aider on the same footing as the center manager though (by upper echelon of UPS management viewing a first aider as competent instead of all drivers as incompetent in first aid) then suddenly you have a work place that not only attempt to be safe...bahaha, ok, I almost said it with a straight face, but also responds quickly to first aid situations.
I for one have 0 idea who has a certified first aid certificate in my building. If something serious happened I have an expired 1st aid certificate but I'm also willing to retake the course if UPS would view me as a driver with a brain instead of, 'you're not a doctor, you have no idea what you're talking about!'.
If a driver has one of these bands, think of the amount of POSITIVE publicity UPS would get if they saved someone's life on road. This is a hit or miss though since you may end up getting somebody with a paper cut requesting first aid from you and it could get to the point where you couldn't delivery packages, so maybe not such a good idea? I know, we're also not paramedics which is the other argument but the positive publicity would be amazing and show the public that, 'we do care' even though all the drivers know that UPS doesn't care.
If it hasn't already happened, why is it I can see, sometime in the future, a preloader slipping off the line, falling, breaking something then being told to just relax and left alone while work's being completed while the paramedics take their time getting there (since they know it's only a broken leg no rush). No one checks up on the preloader, he slips into shock and dies before paramedics arrive over a broken leg. Anyone with basic 1st aid knows shock is a pretty dangerious followup after a hazard and I KNOW UPS management wouldn't check up on the poor fellow.
I am by no means requesting UPS pay for or allow me to take time off for the course. It's my perocative and only mine. Just recognize it for what it is, something that means I AM more knowledgeable then some UPS managers. I've heard they all take it but never once have seen it properly followed by them in multiple situations.
Of course, not ACTUAL first responders (unless people are certified in it) but just your basic first aid people. After a few injuries I've been part of (both witnessed and literally been part of) I came to realize that UPS management has 0 clue about what to do when someone's hurt. Heck, our depot doesn't even have ice packs (the simplest common sense thing next to band aids!).
Why not, at least on each shift, have 2-3 people certified in 1st aid and make it KNOWN that they're certified. Post their picture and give them a little band to wear on their arm or something that's reflective so people know who to go to when help is needed.
I remember reading a little while ago about a driver who saved a managers life by performing CPR because the manager was having a stroke. Well, what if that guy wasn't right there when the manager had a stroke? What if he was on the other side of the building? He would never know about it and that manager would be dead. With the little band someone yells for a first aider he's quickly located (due to the little band) and precious time is saved trying to locate someone to perform proper CPR.
It's not just for CPR though, think of the amount of sprains, breaks, cuts that UPS employees suffer every year. I know drivers would not be able to help fellow drivers on road (obviously) but inside the building before hitting the road I'm sure they could (or at least a preload first aider could). It would also help in giving the employees more of a neutral footing. How many times do you hear, 'well, it costs the company $$$ if you go see a doctor about this. Just give it a few days and see how it is' (our center manager's favorite saying).
Lets face it, our center manager's DO NOT have our best interest at heart. They have their own best interest at heart. If you put a first aider on the same footing as the center manager though (by upper echelon of UPS management viewing a first aider as competent instead of all drivers as incompetent in first aid) then suddenly you have a work place that not only attempt to be safe...bahaha, ok, I almost said it with a straight face, but also responds quickly to first aid situations.
I for one have 0 idea who has a certified first aid certificate in my building. If something serious happened I have an expired 1st aid certificate but I'm also willing to retake the course if UPS would view me as a driver with a brain instead of, 'you're not a doctor, you have no idea what you're talking about!'.
If a driver has one of these bands, think of the amount of POSITIVE publicity UPS would get if they saved someone's life on road. This is a hit or miss though since you may end up getting somebody with a paper cut requesting first aid from you and it could get to the point where you couldn't delivery packages, so maybe not such a good idea? I know, we're also not paramedics which is the other argument but the positive publicity would be amazing and show the public that, 'we do care' even though all the drivers know that UPS doesn't care.
If it hasn't already happened, why is it I can see, sometime in the future, a preloader slipping off the line, falling, breaking something then being told to just relax and left alone while work's being completed while the paramedics take their time getting there (since they know it's only a broken leg no rush). No one checks up on the preloader, he slips into shock and dies before paramedics arrive over a broken leg. Anyone with basic 1st aid knows shock is a pretty dangerious followup after a hazard and I KNOW UPS management wouldn't check up on the poor fellow.
I am by no means requesting UPS pay for or allow me to take time off for the course. It's my perocative and only mine. Just recognize it for what it is, something that means I AM more knowledgeable then some UPS managers. I've heard they all take it but never once have seen it properly followed by them in multiple situations.
