Dear Showies,
*Updated 21 November.
I am writing to address a serious incident on 6 November that frankly beggars belief.
An experienced Show Support Crew Memberβwho was fully aware of our long-standing policy prohibiting the unauthorised use of knives onsiteβignored this rule, took out a knife and proceeded to accidentally stab himself in the leg while attempting to remove a cable tie. This required him to leave site, yet he failed to complete an Incident Report as required and did not notify the Crew Chief or the office that he had departed site. Instead, it was left to our client to inform us of what had occurred.
There is no conceivable way that this Crew Member did not know our policy. It has been communicated repeatedly:
β’ in pre-start acceptances,
β’ in toolbox talks,
β’ in Safe Work Method Statements,
β’ through multiple app notice board posts,
β’ in blog posts, and
β’ by Crew Chiefs reinforcing it onsite.
This is not a minor or obscure rule. It is one of our most basic and widely repeated safety requirements.
Let me be absolutely clear:
From this point forward, any crew member found incorrectly using a knife on site, without being specifically directed to do so by the client for certain approved tasks, will be sent home immediately and may face disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Unless a client specifically directs the use of knives for a particular task where Klever Kutters or other approved cutting tools such as pliers, pliers on a multitool or side cutters, cannot reasonably be used β for example, cutting artificial grass or carpet β knives must not be brought onto site or used under any circumstances, unless it’s a multitool and instructed by the client to do so for tasks that require knife use such as cutting carpet or artificial grass. To be clear, even if a client representative instrcuts you to use a knife to cut a cable tie (which I highly doubt would happen) then you must refuse and, if absolutely necessary, invoke the Stop Work Policy P005Β
Please see the following new and updated updated Show Support Safe Work Procedures (use password show25):
- Safe Work Procedure (SWP): Cutting Cable Ties – Approved and Prohibited Methods PROC 036Β
- Safe Work Procedure (SWP): Authorised Knife Use – Client Directed Tasks Only PROC 037
The only form of blade that Show Support will allow to be carried onsite, only to be used in the rare and limited circumstances that a client instructs and supervises its use, is a the blade on a multitool, such as a Leatherman or Gerber.
To be clear, we do not want to see Crew Members carrying around or using random types of blades other than multitools. Any form of blade other than that concealed within a multitool is BANNED from all Show Support gigs.
We will not tolerate flagrant disregard for safety proceduresβprocedures that exist to protect you, your colleagues, our clients and the reputation of Show Support as a professional labour-hire provider.
We have said it many times, but we will say it once more for good measure:
No unauthorised knife use onsite.
Please note: Multitools such as Leathermans or Gerbers are accepted on Show Support worksites. All non-blade tools on a Leatherman β such as the screwdrivers, pliers, files and similar attachments β are perfectly acceptable to use when used safely and in accordance with our Work Health and Safety System. However, it is not permissible to use the knife blade on a multitool at any time except for the rare circumstances where clients direct you to use a knife under their supervision and direction. Asides from those rare and limited circumstances, the no-knife policy applies universally, without exception.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
Regards,
David Neil
Operations Manager
Show Support Pty Ltd