operator.

Pembroke Steel Erectors set a shining example by sending its crane operator abroad for safety training courses, Government's safety man said.

Health and Safety Inspector Harry Powell told The Royal Gazette the initiative came completely from the company's president, David Dunkley.

"What he has done, he did completely on his own,'' Mr. Powell said. "He's taken the lead to have his employee properly trained. he has taken the care and concern to have his employee trained.

"Every employer has a responsibility to make sure employees are properly trained.'' Mr. Powell said Mr. Dunkley's actions fit in with legislation requirements that employers provide a safe working environment.

Mr. Dunkley said: "I took my crane operator, Steven Johnson, away to go through a safety operating and crane course with Superior Rigging, the leading steel erecting firm in the southeastern US.'' Mr. Dunkley said his employee, Mr. Johnson, took part in a two-phase course which features practice as well as specific training on Linkbelt machinery.

The same type of machines used by Pembroke Steel Erectors.

"He will sit the written exam in June,'' Mr. Dunkley added. "Once he writes it he will be certified by OSHA -- Occupational Safety and Health Association -- the US governing body for the industry.'' Yesterday Mr. Johnson was presented with a certificate of Competence of Safety and Crane Operating from Superior Rigging in Atlanta.

Mr. Dunkley praised his crane operator, calling him one of the finest on the Island.

"Mr. Johnson has been recognised as one of the finest operators in Bermuda,'' he said. "He's been doing it all his life. I just provided him the opportunity to get the proper training.

"When you invest the kind of money I have in those cranes, you want to make sure they will be operated properly.'' Mr. Powell said: "I'm thrilled that the training has taken place. I can only complement Mr. Dunkley for setting the pace for the future. This may be the step that gets all operators to be getting training.

"A lot of operators know what they are doing, but they don't know it all,'' he added.

USING HIS CRANE-IUM -- Crane operator Steven Johnson yesterday received a certificate of competence of safety and crane operating from Atlanta, Georgia-based crane firm Superior Rigs.

HEALTH HTH