safe jobs now! mobilizing for health and safety
TRANSCRIPT
Mobilizing for Health and Safety
Safe Jobs Now!
Workshop ObjectivesUnderstand a union approach to health and
safety.
Learn how to identify and document H&S problems and find solutions.
Be aware of different strategies to get H&S problems corrected.
• Injuries, illnesses, and deaths can be prevented.
• Don’t blame the victim.• You can’t rely on your employer.• You can’t rely on laws and enforcement.• Workers acting together through their
union can make employers provide safe workplaces!
A Union Approach to Health and Safety
H&S Issues are Good Organizing Issues
• Health and safety affect all workers.
• Health and safety issues can be won.
• Health and safety concerns can move workers to take action.
Three Steps to Organizing for Health and Safety
1. Identify and document problems.
2. Find solutions.
3. Develop a strategy and organize to get problems fixed.
Building the Union by Organizing for H&S
• When workers act together to make a safer workplace it makes the union stronger.
• A stronger union is better able to secure safe working conditions.
Safe Workplaces ↔ Building the Union
Workshop ObjectivesUnderstand a union approach to health and
safety.
Learn how to identify and document H&S problems and find solutions.
Be aware of different strategies to get H&S problems corrected.
Identify the Problem
What injuries or health complaints do workers have?
Who has been hurt or is having symptoms?
When do the workers feel these symptoms?
Where in the workplace are health problems occurring?
Why are the workers being injured or having health problems?
Methods to Identify and Document H&S Problems
• Talk to your co-workers.
• Survey the workers.
• Inspect the workplace for hazards.
• Investigate injuries and close calls.
• Take photos of hazardous conditions.
Risk Mapping
Draw an outline of a work area and then mark where hazards are located with symbols or colored markers.
Examples of hazardsC = chemicalB = biologicalE = ergonomic (lifting, repetitive strain)M = dangerous machineryR = radioactiveH = heatN = noiseV = violence
Body Mapping Where does it hurt?
Review Records
You may have the right to:
• Injury/illness/fatality logs and reports
• Workers compensation records
• Worker exposure and medical records
• Inspection reports/citations• Material Safety Data
Sheets
Correcting Problems
Elimination
Substitution less toxic chemicals
Engineering Controls
ventilation, machine guards, lifting equipment
Administrative Controls
training, signs, procedures
Personal Protective Equipment
respirators, gloves, hard hats, goggles, ear plugs, etc.LEAST EFFECTIVE
MOST EFFECTIVE
Knowledge Check
1. Which of the following statements is true?a) Most work-related injuries are caused by careless workers.b) Hazards that cause injuries are part of the job.c) Correcting dangerous working conditions is the most
important way to avoid injuries.
2. The least effective way to prevent health problems caused by chemicals is to:a) Switch to less toxic chemicalsb) Provide respirators, gloves and other personal protective
equipmentc) Use ventilation, lifting equipment, or machine guards to
prevent exposures
Answers
1. Correct answer – c) Correcting dangerous working conditions is the most important way to avoid injuries.
2. Correct answer – b) Provide respirators, gloves and other personal protective equipment.Personal protective equipment, or ppe, such as respirators, gloves, hard hats are the least effective way to protect workers. The hazard is still there and if the equipment fails, there is no barrier between the worker and the danger. Sometimes PPE is the only choice, or it may be a backup to some other control such as ventilation.
Workshop Objectives
Understand a union approach to health and safety.
Learn how to identify and document H&S problems and find solutions.
Be aware of different strategies to get H&S problems corrected.
A Union Health and Safety Committee
• Similar to having a union bargaining team that meets separately before talking with management.
• Work with employer when possible but can use other strategies if necessary.
Labor/Management H&S Committees
• Include structure/responsibilities in the contract.• Have equal representation and co-chairs.• Meet on a regular basis.• Conduct inspections and other duties on work
time.• Receive/review injury reports, near misses,
other documents.• Maintain/review minutes of H&S committee
meetings and follow up.• Provide training for committee members.
Tactics
• Labor-management committees• Contract language/grievances• Petition• Send a delegation to
talk to management• Political pressure• Coalitions with other
affected groups• Media attention
Public Employees Covered by Federally Approved State OSHA Plans
Public and private sector workers covered by federally approved state OSHA plan(CT, NJ, NY) State and local government workers covered by state OSHA program, private sector workers covered by federal OSHAState and local government workers not covered by federally approved OSHA plan States with an Occupational Safety and Health Law NOT Federally Approved: DC, IL, KS, ME, NH, OH, OK, WV, and WI
What Does OSHA Coverage Mean?
• Right to a safe and healthful workplace• Workplace inspections with union
participation• Enforcement of safety regulations• Information about hazards and access to
employer records• Protection from being fired or discriminated
against for filing complaintswww.osha.gov
There are no OSHA Standards for these Common Hazards
• Workplace violence• Indoor air quality• Infectious diseases (with exception of the
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard)• Repetitive strain disorders
Other Drawbacks of OSHA
• Enforcement varies.
• Some state plans do not allow public employers to be fined for violations.
Other Laws that Apply to Public Employees
• Environmental Protection Agency– Worker Protection Rule (extends OSHA asbestos
rule)– Asbestos in Schools Rule– Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency
Response (HAZWOPER)• Right to Know Laws (chemicals)• Local Building and Fire codes• Health Department Regulations
Refusing to do Unsafe Work
Applies to situations in which a worker in good faith believes that performing the task will result in death or serious harm.
Exception to “obey now, grieve later” rule
Refusing to do Unsafe Work: Do’s and Don’ts
• Do not simply refuse or walk off the job.• Tell your supervisor you believe there is a
serious hazard.• Ask for a union representative.• Tell the supervisor you will do the job if it is
made safe to do so.• Offer to do other work that is not dangerous.• Ask for a safety manager to inspect the
worksite.• Phone in to request an “imminent danger”
OSHA inspection.
Workshop Objectives
Understand a union approach to health and safety.
Learn how to identify and document H&S problems and solutions.
Be aware of different strategies to get H&S problems corrected.
For More Information
AFSCME DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
AFSCME Health and Safety homepage http://www.afscme.org/issues/73.cfm