The written policy is often quite useful and provides a comprehensive guideline to employees for maintaining a safe workplace. In reality, however, the comprehensive guidelines may not be adequately followed by personnel. Training manuals or booklets used by trade unions can be used to establish the custom and practice in the industry regarding safety, as well as specific training that the plaintiff, supervisors and coworkers received in avoiding risks of injury and other safety hazards. If the union failed to address a particular issue or did not provide correct and acceptable methods instituting safety practices, consider including the union on the list of potential defendants. If the injured worker or the worker's coworkers are union members, consider the journeymen training program as a source of union recognized hazards.
Many trades have operations and procedures that are unique to the job.
The need for special precautions are contained in the training program operated by union representatives. Failure to enforce these safety requirements by the shop steward may indicate some liability on the part of the union. In addition to books and manuals used to train new employees and management personnel, specialized outlines, guides and manuals give specific instructions regarding procedures to use in handling claims or potential claims. Because the manuals are intended to assist the experienced risk management employee, the information is usually very frank. The manuals often clearly and succinctly summarize the company's safety policy and the necessity of vigilance in reducing the risk of injury.