Day 130 - 26 May 95 - Page 60


     
     1   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I must say I did, Mr. Rampton.  It may
     2        Mrs. Barnes was going on, but I thought you were asking if
     3        there was a particular example Mr. Morris could give so
     4        that you could find the question easier to answer?
     5        A.  I was actually, yes.
     6
     7   MR. RAMPTON:  I apologise for that interruptation.
     8
     9   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Leave it there.
    10
    11   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Can you give an example to help on the way?
    12
    13   MR. MORRIS:  Well, if a store is under-staffed people may cut
    14        corners, not do jobs, not notice things that are not
    15        working properly, etc., etc., so that would be one of your
    16        concerns, would it, not to ensure -----
    17
    18   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Under-staffing obviously may carry safety
    19        risks, in that people are working under pressure -- well,
    20        it is obvious, is it not?
    21        A.  If there were under-staffing I am sure you would be
    22        correct.
    23
    24   Q.   If six were having to scurry around doing the job of 10
    25        there would be a risk element involved?
    26        A.  I am sure it would increase, but what also happens in
    27        practice is that you just does not serve as many customers
    28        if you have not got the employees there.  So it is not as
    29        if you have got six people trying to do 10 people's jobs.
    30        The 10 people's jobs do not happen because the customers
    31        end up waiting a lot longer.  Also that is why we have a
    32        specific system, a specific way of managers working out how
    33        many employees they need at any particular time of the day.
    34
    35   MR. MORRIS:  Yes, but you would accept as somebody who is
    36        responsible for risk management identifying potential
    37        problems, fundamental problems, not just reacting to a
    38        particular accident because that particular plug was
    39        broken, but in terms of risk management you would accept,
    40        would you not, that under-staffing is something that should
    41        not happen?
    42        A.  Well -----
    43
    44   Q.   In terms of safety risk?
    45        A.  I am sure if you have 10 people scheduled and only nine
    46        turn up because one is ill, then the other nine do feel
    47        under extra stress for the rest of that day.  Yes, it could
    48        contribute to their working differently and, maybe,
    49        accidents happen.  It happens to me some days at work.
    50 
    51   Q.   Have you issued any memos from your department showing 
    52        concern or educating store managers or anybody in the 
    53        company about the dangers of under-staffing in relation to
    54        safety matters?
    55        A.  Well, one I cannot think of any examples of any
    56        accidents we feel have happened because of under-staffing,
    57        and two, as I said, there is a very careful system for
    58        managers to use to ensure they have the right number of
    59        people on shift at any time of day.  It really is another
    60        area where Operations Management are specifically involved

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