Realization of Managment
I used to always laugh at people when they had a problem with management. But today has crystallized, the disregard of safety. Production over people's well being especially in this "Illinois Heat Wave".Background + Safety
I never had a problem with heat, cause I was mostly on the sort aisle and we have fans that keep us somewhat cool while we sort. These trailers, on the other hand, have been sitting out in 94 Degree temperature out for hours, and make it almost unbearable to work in at a fast-moderate pace w/ out getting dizzy. I'm a very "keep it to myself", kind of guy. So when I have a problem such as being sick, mildly hurt, or etc. I don't go running to Mr. Sup, I do my work as fast as possible with no complaining unless it's life-threatening. In this case today, I was doing trailers filled with bulk and it wasn't an easy 5hrs and 21 minutes until I lost it. I've noticed that management upholds there safety protocol at the beginning of the unload, sort, load, and etc session. But, when it gets closer to the end of the day. Pressure comes to supervisors exceptionally and then onto the us "hard workers". This results in serious violations and harassment to GET THE JOB DONE NOW! Keep in mind, I've never experienced this type of heat b/friend, cause I've always been on the sort aisle.
My Story
The day started off with a sweat-drenched t-shirt and my supervisor was nice to let me cool down in a cooled trailer designed to cool off workers. I was not at my peak performance as I usually am when the trailers aren't 100+ Degrees and I'm unloading bulk after bulk trailer. 8:00 comes around and I'm starting to feel extremely sick (light-headed after each bulk item, loss of energy, Sking is red and hot, and dizziness when I'm bending over to pick up it up.) I'm working at my own pace, even with these problems I'm experiencing. I have only 2 pallets left, and there is a 135 lb piece of bulk on the floor and I ask my bulk sweeper to help me lift it. I also let my bulk sweeper know that I'm not feeling too well, he acknowledges and asks if he said he should grab a sup? 2 pallets left, near the end of the night, and High-Tolerance not too complain. So I say no, just help me out here. My supervisor comes storming and yells at my bulk sweeper to go back up to take the bulk off. My sup starts screaming at me, about how I'm slow as
. (Not the first time and not the last, But come on now.... this bulk.) My bulk sweeper lets my supervisor know that I haven't been feeling well and he's trying his best. He then goes on this rant about how everybody else is sick and I completely lost it on him. I yell at him,"that I'm working at my own pace for my safety and if it something goes wrong, It's on you now, since you want to push me past my boundaries with this heat." I get a nice-sarcastic reply of "if you really feel that sick, go home". I reply with alright, I'm going home. He seemed in shock and in a panic with the reply, "Wait, are you serious".Replied w/ yes.
Long ago, I had another feeling of a possible heat stroke and somebody had reported it to my past supervisor. He had said for me to sit down, cool off, and come in if you feel better tomorrow. This supervisor breaks the cycle of over-aggressive production harassment to workers struggling.
Conclusion
Like I said earlier, I rarely complain about my problems with mgmt. But I need to know my options, what I could have done better, and etc. I think I should have reported it earlier, to the supervisor of my problems. This could have been my fatal flaw, which resulted in his rant/etc. Sorry, to keep this long. Please reply with comments on what you think. Was in the wrong or right in some areas, etc?
