Border Transportation, located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, is a company that specializes in the delivery of medical equipment and supplies to hospitals, clinics, and medical supply companies in the Southwest and in Mexico. The majority of employees at Border Transportation are sales representatives, warehouse staff, and truck drivers. Currently, most of these workers are over age 45.

 As a result of ongoing expansion, the company will grow from 225 employees to more than 500 employees in the next three years. Several government contracts have already been signed, and more are anticipated. The company has recently hired you as the warehouse manager. Part of your job is to oversee all safety programs for the company. These duties had been handled primarily informally by the dock supervisor prior to your coming onboard. 

On your first day, the CFO calls you in and gives you the following directives and information: 

Safety in the warehouse is becoming a real issue. The accident rate has tripled since last year. Something has to be done.

Absenteeism has increased, especially on Fridays and Mondays.

The company is spending 25% of its payroll costs on workers' compensation claims. Many of the claims are related to cumulative trauma disorders.

You need to get rid of an employee in the warehouse who is reported to have AIDS.

   

Questions

How would you respond to each of the directives from the COO? What steps would you take to instill a culture of safety in this warehouse?

Do you think a wellness program makes sense for this company? Provide support for your answer.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge in increasing safety and health at this facility?

How will you address the issue of the employee with AIDS?

Given the location in the Southwest and the company's work in Mexico, many of the employees have English as their second language. Do you anticipate that language will be an issue in creating and implementing a new safety program? If so, why and how will you address the issue? If not, why not?

How will you deal with employees who tell you that they have "always done it this way" when you try to improve safety procedures?