Below are the transcripts of manager Julie’s interviews with three staff members

Question

Below are the transcripts of manager Julie’s interviews with three staff members – Bob, Christine and Paul. She asks them each the same four questions. After you have heard their answers to these questions, you will be asked to answer seven questions relating to how she should structure a health and safety training plan.

As you go through their answers, you might also like to make notes of the main health and safety issues in the cardboard packaging department.

Here is a transcript of Julie’s interview with Bob

1.what is your role at KIRA Incorporated?

I'm responsible for all sales and marketing activities. I often go out on the road to collect customers’ orders or meet with potential clients.

We're starting to take on a few new sales representatives so I'm fairly busy showing them the ropes too.

2.How long have you been employed here?

I started out about 15 years ago. I worked in production for almost 10 years and helped establish many of the processes that we use today.

Then I moved into the design for a couple of years before taking on my current role. I didn't enjoy it as much as production though because the whole creative process just isn't my thing.

I really enjoy the sales work. It’s good to get out there with clients and help them solve their problems.

3.Are you aware of any specific safety issues?

The main issue in sales and marketing is probably the risk assessment policy. We have people out on the road every day visiting clients in warehouses, offices and other locations. We need to ensure that our staff are staying safe. Vehicle maintenance is also an issue. There aren't as many hazards in this area of work as in production though. The factory floor has got some pretty dangerous machines and the noise can get fairly loud.

4.Are you available to plan and deliver any safety training?

I'm fairly busy with induction training, so I don't know if I could spare the time for safety training as well. I suppose I could incorporate some health and safety into the induction sessions though.

That is the end of the interview with Bob. .

Here is a transcript of Julie’s interview with Christine

1.What is your role at KIRA Incorporated?

I work in the design office, where we create new packaging patterns based on internal research and customer requirements.

I really enjoy the research aspect of my job. Getting out there, finding out what people need and designing new solutions really suits me. I'm a very proactive person and I like to take on new tasks and responsibilities.

2.How long have you been employed here?

I came here from a similar design position with a rival firm eight years ago. The company I used to work for collapsed and I applied for a vacancy in production. It wasn't really my preferred area, but I knew enough about the industry to be offered the job. Two years later, a position became available in design and I've been here ever since!

3.Are you aware of any specific safety issues?

Office equipment is a big issue for me. There's nothing wrong with the equipment itself, we have some excellent chairs and brand new workstations. But some staff tend to ignore the ergonomic features and risk repetitive sprain and other related injuries.

The office storeroom is also a potential hazard. People need to learn to store heavy boxes at the bottom, light boxes at the top and the most frequently used equipment at shoulder level.

The production warehouse is the same.

4.Are you available to plan and deliver any safety training?

We've recently taken on two new designers, which has taken some of the pressure off me and given me a bit more time. I would really enjoy running some training too.

Safety has always been a big deal for me. When I used to work in production I ran a manual handling training session to highlight the potential problems with storage in the warehouse. Nowadays, I'm constantly making sure that everyone keeps the electrical leads from their computers out of the way.

That is the end of the interview with Christine.

Here is a transcript f Julie’s interview with Paul.

1.What is your role at KIRA Incorporated?

I supervise staff working on three cutting machines in the production area. I make sure that they operate the machines efficiently, effectively and safely.

I'm also a qualified forklift operator, so I often help move pallets around in the warehouse. I'm more experienced than the others and I'm more confident manoeuvring down some of the cluttered aisles.

2.How long have you been employed here?

I've only been in cardboard packaging for four months.

I started working in the shrink-wrap department about two years ago. This job was advertised internally, so I applied and got it!

3.Are you aware of any specific safety issues?

There are a lot of potential hazards in the factory. The machines all have to be operated with the guards properly attached and the operators have to make sure they have the right personal protective equipment.

Earmuffs are especially important because of the noise, but gloves and goggles are also essential.

4.Are you available to plan and deliver any safety training?

I've never been involved in any training - I don't think I would have the courage! I know a bit about the safety issues here, but I would need to know more before doing anything like that.

I might give it a go if somebody with more experience in production trained me.

That is the end of the interview with Paul.

Here are 7 questions to answer.

1.Who is the most appropriate person to act as safety training team leader for this workgroup?

2.Who should conduct safety training in the design area?

3.Who should conduct the safety training in the production area?

4.Who should conduct safety training in the sales and marketing area?

5.What areas have common safety concerns where training could be combined?

6.Which of the following safety concerns require external training?

7.What are the main health and safety issues in the cardboard packaging department?

Explanation / Answer

1) Out of the three Bob appears to be the most appropriate person to act as safety training leader for this workgroup due to his exposure in all the three functional areas. He has fair knowledge of the safety and hazard issues in all the three areas and also has concern around the issues.

2) Christine can conduct safety training in the design area. Christine has some experience in handling safety training sessions and is also very keen on educating employees about safety related to storage and office equipment.

3) It appears from the transcript that Paul has sound knowledge of safety and hazard issues in production and that he also has solutions to address to those issues. The only challenge with Paul is lack of self-confidence. I believe Julie should encourage him to give safety training in Production; this will also help in building his confidence. Paul should prepare for the safety training by reading more and observing safety issues in the production to come up with solutions.

4) Since out of three only Bob has worked in sales & marketing and production, he knows fairly about safety and hazard issues both in production as well as sales & marketing. He is also willing to incporporate sessions in induction training. So I believe he should be the right person to conduct safety training here. He can take training on Risk Assessment Policy and Vehicle maintenance.

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