Safety, Health and Environmental Action Request (SHEAR)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:	What is a SHEAR form?
A:	A SHEAR form is a tool for employees to address health and safety issues and concerns at the Boeing Company. SHEAR stands for Safety, Health and Environmental Action Request. The SHEAR form was developed as a result of the 1989 Collective Bargaining agreement. As detailed in Article 16.5, it is the preferred process. for addressing health and safety issues or concerns at Boeing. CONTRACT LANGUAGE
Q:	What are SHEAR forms most effective for?
A:	SHEARS are most effective for fixing physical things. Safety examples : fall/trip hazards, unsafe tools Health examples : ventilation, chemical hazards Environmental examples : POU signs not clear enough to sort waste, storm drain issues
Q:	What are SHEAR forms not effective for?
A:	SHEARs are not effective for changing the behavior of others. For example, issues such as smoking should be handled directly through the appropriate organization (PRO-2525, Safety, Health, and Environmental Action Request (SHEAR) Process).
Q:	Where can I obtain a SHEAR form?
A:	Employees may file a SHEAR using the online SHEAR tool, which is a part of the Enterprise-wide Safety Activity System (SAS). After logging in to SAS using WSSO signon, the employee can use the online SHEAR system to enter new SHEARs, monitor progress, and track completions of SHEARs. Employees may also get individual (paper) SHEAR forms from: Shop safety bulletin boards, Safety Focals, Supervisors, IAM/Boeing Joint Programs HSI Representatives, IAM Stewards, or the Safety Office. Bulk packages of forms are ordered through SSPN Focals (D0-6000-4770).
Q:	How do I initiate a SHEAR?
A:	A tutorial is available on the online SHEAR tool, and the paper SHEAR form includes employee's steps for initiating a SHEAR printed on the back of the form as follows: Print your information: name, phone number, organization number, Supervisor name If known, print the name of the Supervisor for the operation or area with the hazard/concern Clearly & briefly describe the hazard & the location (only one hazard per SHEAR form). Clearly & briefly describe your proposed solution (optional) Sign & date the form Send the white copy to your local safety (EHS) office Give the yellow copy to your Supervisor Keep the pink copy for your reference

Q:	What does my manager do to resolve a SHEAR?
A:	The Manager's steps to resolving a SHEAR are printed on the back of the form. Your Supervisor: Accepts yellow copy from Initiator & discuss to clarify the situation Takes immediate action or develop an action plan to address the issue Records action plan on yellow copy of SHEAR & communicate with Initiator by the beginning of the employee's next shift a. As needed, asks for help from HSI Representative, Safety Focal or Safety Office. b. If issue is outside your organization, contacts the responsible Manager, plans together & tracks progress together. Initiator's Supervisor remains responsible for communicating progress to Initiator. Keeps yellow SHEAR and sends a copy to Safety or organization Safety Focal for database Documents each action taken on the yellow SHEAR; communicates with Initiator & submits copy to Safety Office or organization Safety Focal for database update If you move before the SHEAR is resolved, passes the information to your new Supervisor, & informs the Initiator & the Safety Office If the Initiator moves before the SHEAR is resolved, the process continues (Initiator's original Supervisor continues to provide status & Initiator signs for closure) Communicates status of all open SHEARs at monthly Safety Meetings When resolved, asks Initiator to sign yellow SHEAR & submits to Safety for closure Asks an HSI Representative for assistance with disputed resolutions
Q:	What is HSI's role in the SHEAR process?
A:	The IAM/Boeing HSI Site Committee arbitrates in situations where the Initiator and Manager do not agree on the closure of a SHEAR. The Site Committee will also reviews and authorizes the closure if the Initiator is not available or has left the company.

Mail the WHITE copy of the SHEAR to your local Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) office. Click here for EHS contact information.