LIFELINE

F O C U S O N S A F E T Y
Nelson’s Unsung Heroes
by Bill Carney, Corporate Compliance Specialist
During the October Safety Stand
Down, tremendous effort was put
into identifying individuals who have the
most direct influence over whether or not
injuries occur. It was determined that the
backbone of the company and those with the
most influence over less experienced employees
is the CREWLEADER.
Crewleaders are the unsung heroes of our company.
They are the ones in the field entrusted to shoulder
the responsibility of the day-to-day safety of everyone
they come into contact with, as well as their own personal
safety. When you stop to think about it, that is
an awesome responsibility to bear.
I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a number
of crewleaders who take their responsibilities very
seriously. Every day they put personal differences aside
and focus on the tasks at hand. The way they see it,
their number one priority is to keep everyone safe and
make sure that everyone goes home at the end of the
day. To accomplish this goal, these individuals begin
each and every day with a thorough and detailed
job briefing. For them, the job briefing is more than
paperwork; it is the most important tool they will use
during the day.
Professional crewleaders focus on everyone in their
circle of influence and the important issues that they’ll
face that day. This is the type of individual we all
deserve to work with; someone who conducts their self
in a professional manner and gives the best they have
to give everyday. They accept responsibility
for the safety of their crewmembers
and respect the process of doing everything
it takes to do the job right.
While it is the crewleader’s duty to prepare
crews to safely accomplish the job
at hand, crewmembers are also responsible
for addressing safety issues and
concerns. For example, crewmembers
need to identify when circumstances
have changed from what was originally discussed during
the job briefing. Sometimes it turns out that what
was discussed while on the ground doesn’t apply when
we’re actually in the tree (vines are in the way, wind,
lean or condition of the tree were not as expected). In
these situations, crewmembers must inform the crewleader
so that the job can be re-evaluated and a new
job briefing conducted. The professional crewleader
will always listen to his crewmembers’ concerns and
understands that this give-and-take communication
is crucial to preventing critical situations, which could
result in someone being seriously injured!
Our Safety Director, Jim Craner, writes, “When our
people learn and follow the most basic of safety rules,
they will, without question, reduce their risk of injury
and create an environment that promotes health and
wellbeing. This in turn promotes the professionalism that
each and every employee deserves.”
The last line of this quote states that professionalism
is something we all “deserve.” Employees who
adhere to the rules, create a safe and professional
atmosphere for others, those who do not follow the
rules, let everyone down. Fortunately, we all have the
opportunity to do better tomorrow. We can all be heroes.
It may sound corny, but in our business, it could
save a life.
To all the Nelson Tree crewleaders who uphold our
company vision: thank you! You truly are the unsung
heroes of this company and the ones who understand
that “Safety and professionalism … it’s the basics,” is a
reminder to us all that the foundation of our success
is built upon fundamental policies and procedures.
If you would like to see a crewleader or any other
employee recognized, please let me know. I would love
to see it in print!
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