Company Safety Officer

[Spitfire]

Is anyone on here their companies safety officer? What kind of salary should one expect in this position? Is there anything that one should be aware of taking this position on? Like liabilites etc.

[Panama Jack]

Used to do that, and have a university minor in that area.

Can't give you any advice on pay. One important thing to keep in mind is that a Company Safety Officer is a staff, rather than management position. Safety is not the CSO's responsibility-- it is managment's responsibility . . . and that is the way it should be. Therefore, a CSO has no authority other than to recommend to managment. A CSO should not be calling a pilot on the carpet for an infraction or telling guys "be safe out there." That's management's job. They hold the dollars and the responsibility. The blood is also on their hands in the event of an accident, because the responsibility for safety is that of management, not just yours. So, since a CSO is a staff position, he should have unfettered access to whoever he needs to make his recommendations-- the CP, Chief Engineer, DFO, even the President if that is appropriate, without having to go through logistical channels. (This should have by now answered your question about liabilities).

Really, it is the best way. Keep in mind also that, although it sounds cutesy, "Safety First" is a bunch of BS . The only reason that something is done in a safe manner is because the law says you have to, or it makes economic sense.

Aviation Safety Programs: A Management Handbook by Richard H. Wood is an excellent resource for you-- I really recommend you get a copy.

[Spitfire]

Thanks Jack, most of what you said is what they told me in the firstplace, but its good to get an outside opinion.

[greenwich]

Spit:

Panama is on the money!

If you want guidelines, track down your regional O.S.H. guy through HRDC and he'll give you stacks of information on employee safety and health in the workplace. Unfortunately there are endless regulations that you have to follow, but all HRDC wants to see is that you are constantly working towards making the workplace safer!

Examples of these 'regulations' are: you must have a safety comittee, the comittee must meet 9 times a year, the safety comittee must have equal representation from management and employees, a certain percentage of your employees must be first-aid trained, fire extinguishers must be certified, hangars must be neat and organized (safe), office space must be safe with easy exit access, employees must be WHIMIS trained, MSDS must be easily available for all 'chemical' products used, all training must be documented(tug, fuel pump, etc.)...on and on and on and on!!!!

One of the 'good' regulations is that the O.S.H. representative (you) must be granted time during the work-week to work on O.S.H.-related tasks, and must be paid for performing this job! How much time or money is not specified!

Just know that your regional HRDC/O.S.H.-guy is not like TC...they want to work with you and help you make the workplace safer.

G

[Cat Driver]

WOW :

" ....your regional HRDC/OSH guy is not like TC..they want to work with you and make the workplace safer. "

Everyone should just step back for a moment and think about the ramifications of that statement.

First : Good on the HRDC/OSH people.

Second: What message does this give with regard to TC?

Cat

[CD]

" ....your regional HRDC/OSH guy ... want to work with you and make the workplace safer. "

I tend to agree with this statement - when you're dealing with an OSH inspector with an aviation background or at least a little touch of common sense.

Of course, there was the time when the OSH guy showed up to conduct an inspection at our hangar and got his knickers in a twist regarding egress routes. It seemed that there were two personnel doors at either end of the hangar that were emergency exits. Well, wouldn't you know it, when the hangar doors were fully opened, they blocked the two little emergency exit doors. The fact that there was a big fookin' hole in the side of the building now (the open hangar doors ) that you could drive a 737 through was not enough for this fella. He insisted that those doors must be kept clear at all times to comply with the Code and threatened fines if we didn't follow his direction.

Unlike Cat's case, a simple phone call to this guy's supervisor with an explanation on how ridiculous the situation was got us a new inspector with some smarts who really was interested in making the workplace safer rather than just providing an inflexible interpretation of the Labour Code.

[Schlem]

I was a CASO for a number of years... no extra pay but great experience and company paid trips to meetings where I was allowed to make a ski holiday out of it really was a nice perk.

I began the implementaion of SMS in my company as well as may other saftey initiatives. It's a big job when combined with full time flying so make sure there is another person on the committee to help out.

BTW... AOSH is the biggest pain in the ass and is pure gov't waste and duplication with SMS coming on line now. Make sure all the proper inspections and reports are being being filled out because a paper trail is all that AOSH is looking for when they come for an inspection.

[Cat Driver]

Yeh CD, you know where I am coming from...

I will back decent people who are trying to do their job in a fair manner, but believe we have not only the right but the duty to point out to their superiors when there is a real problem..

Also I am flummoxed with disbeliefe at the difficulty that can arise when as in my situation the manager decides he is going to for what ever reason deny fair resolution to the complaint...

Maybe I was just naieve in my early years but I do not recall having dealt with the mindset of some managers that we have in our Region.

When it becomes unsolvable right to the top I am really at a loss to even hope that it will ever improve.

Anyhow nice to see one of our TC Inspectors as part of our group..good on ya CD.

Watch your 6

.

[centerstored]

Actually, the CASO has nothing to do with Occ.Hlth.&Safety. The caso's job is strictly to relay and record safety issues (occurences) from the flight crew to the appropriate manager, make recommendations or suggestions to the management, and post aviation safety BS. Some companies will try to get you involved in the Ohsc BS but this isn't part of your job description. The ohsc is basically an elected or volunteer employee chosen from each department to have meetings about health and safety issues. And yes, they are supposed to be compensated for their time. Most companies award hrs off in return for hours volunteered.

[Schlem]

Actually, AOSH - Aviation Occupational Health and Safety, is an integral part of the CASO's job... I was hounded by the AOSH officer and I had to report to that person when it came to annual reports and inspections.

[chow]

Interesting replies from dfferent ends of the industry...

CASO can absolutely be more important than any of you said so far....

At A larger 705 show this person is reconciliable only to the DFO....which beyond the previous comments obviously circumvents everyone including the CHIEF PILOT.....

That being said it is a proxy dependent system and TC is the only qualifier....


Many situations dictate that CASO circumvents MGMT...


Otherwise it woudln't work the way it should.


That being said....at most companies who are (some 705) and lots of 704/703.....this position becomes a regulatory detail that never gets run properly.


Not a big deal.....really...the authourity is all CP!!!!!


And until you're big enough that's cool!

Safety officer is a position of importance....(MOSTLY) at companiies where the staff need a voice...!!!!!!

2 ps

[Driving Rain]

Just wondering what kind of authority the company safety officer has?
The chief pilot falsified journey log entries to hide the fact that he exceeded his duty day. Then he encouraged another pilot to break the CARs by flying single pilot IFR with passengers and then he endagered another pilot by crewing another aircraft when his duty day had been far exceeded. The company safety officer was powerless to do anything when he learned of the situation. The chief pilot admitted to him that all the accusatiuons were true!
Wouldn't he be diuty bound to take his complaint to T.C. enforcement or safety systems in the advent of a coverup?
What can be done about a situation when the chief pilot is a bully boy and the rules are not for him to follow but woe be tied you if you miss something?
This stuff all happened last fall and management has chosen to cover it up.
Does Transport have the teeth to do anything about the situation at this late date?

[Cat Driver]

Driving Rain :

Yes, TC has the teeth.............. It is called Federal Law.............

But it will all depend on the politics that are sourounding the issues.....

But you already know that, don't you?

Cat

[Panama Jack]

Wouldn't he be diuty bound to take his complaint to T.C. enforcement or safety systems in the advent of a coverup?
What can be done about a situation when the chief pilot is a bully boy and the rules are not for him to follow but woe be tied you if you miss something?

Question. Is the duty you speak of solely with the safety officer?

As long as we are making some kind of progress on issues, I believe that confidentiality is an important aspect of the relationship between a safety officer and his company. However, if I were a safety officer, working for someone who were a "bully boy", who wouldn't be listening, it would be a waste of my time. What you would do is up to you, but I know what I would be doing. I keep my resume up to date and have a read-made resignation letter.

Now, whistle blowing is a topic unto itself, with it's own prospective minefields and never to be taken lightly.

[Driving Rain]

Can someone contact enforcement anonymously? I'd hate looking over my shoulder the rest of my career. I've but 3 years to early retirement and I've had enough of these guys. They can do anything they want . The rules are not written for them but for the rest of us.
The company just went through an in house audit. The incidents were pointed out to the auditor and he said the incidents were of no merit. What ever that means. We all asked for an independent audit but that request was ignored. When I tried to contact the auditor I was ignored so others broached the subject to him. I have not seen the auditors report and none of us will, but our director told us he would help anyone who wished to find a new place of employment. What a nice guy!
We have all the log sheets and dates and the fact that he has been violated before, couldn't T.C. force the CP and the ops managers removal for covering up this kind of practice or at least a lengthy suspension and perhaps a operating certificate suspension?
In our organization the Safety Officer reports to the General manager. Would not his actions in this episode come under T.C. scrutiny also.
According to our safety officer the company chose the make the chief pilot review the CARS. as punishment. I feel much safer now.

[Cat Driver]

Driving Rain :

Your situiation is common........

Do Not.... I repeat... Do Not........

Make any move on your own........ you are to close to retirement....

What you need is Cat Driver to advise you...........I had to lose my own business and my retirement money to learn how to play their game......

Lets talk I do believe I can solve your problem and advise you how to fix your problem............

Do Not........... I repeat...........DO NOT...!!!!!!!!!

Do not go to TC with this...............By the time it was finished you would need more vaseline than the CL 415 will carry.

Call me.

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