{"id":1763,"date":"2022-07-14T13:54:29","date_gmt":"2022-07-14T17:54:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/?p=1763"},"modified":"2022-07-15T14:54:57","modified_gmt":"2022-07-15T18:54:57","slug":"pef-revitalizing-health-safety-committees-to-protect-you-on-the-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/issue\/volume-40-no-6\/pef-revitalizing-health-safety-committees-to-protect-you-on-the-job\/","title":{"rendered":"From A \u2013 Z (Asbestos to Zero Injuries), PEF Health &amp; Safety staff fight for you"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1782 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/Comm-Cover.jpg\" alt=\"communicator cover artwork\" width=\"375\" height=\"492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/Comm-Cover.jpg 600w, https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/Comm-Cover-229x300.jpg 229w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><em>July 15, 2022 &#8212;<\/em> The PEF Health and Safety Department hit the ground running in 2020 when COVID-19 began its sweep across the world \u2013 fighting for on-the-job protections, securing PPE, and creating in-depth toolkits, fact sheets, and resources that were picked up nationally, all while helping members navigate the whirlwind of workplace safety issues surrounding a new, deadly virus. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With a large portion of state employees in essential job titles, the Health and Safety Department was contacted by members exposed to the virus at work. Health and Safety Specialists worked directly with thousands of members to ensure they had the protections they needed and valuable information on workers\u2019 compensation and contractual benefits.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Statewide Health and Safety Committees also tracked COVID-19 exposure trends to put in place critical control measures to mitigate potential on-the-job exposures. This included working directly with state agencies on Return-to-Work programs, pandemic plans, and often weekly meetings with State and Federal agencies and PEF Health and Safety Committees.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Department staff are leaders in health and safety<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">PEF\u2019s Health and Safety Department goes beyond responding to health and safety at\u00a0state worksites \u2013 they also participate in statewide and national dialogues relating to health and safety in the workplace, influencing health and safety policy.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe work with a broad coalition of national unions on federal legislation and new OSHA standards, and we continue to work on major initiatives for issues such as workplace violence,\u201d Health and Safety Director Geraldine Stella said. \u201cWe are also working with the PEF Legislative Department on developing bills to combat bullying and protect members in the aftermath of Less Is More and HALT legislation. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe also meet with the state at two\u00a0executive-level committees each year, along with other key state agencies, on health and safety issues with statewide impact, and on workers\u2019 compensation,\u201d she said.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Department staff have testified at federal committees on workplace violence, COVID and other safety issues. They continue to stay informed and involved in health and safety in the workplace across all levels of government. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Campaign to get members involved<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1784 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/HealthandSafety-Committee.jpg\" alt=\"Health and Safety Committee Logo\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/HealthandSafety-Committee.jpg 450w, https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/HealthandSafety-Committee-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/HealthandSafety-Committee-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/HealthandSafety-Committee-125x125.jpg 125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>COVID isn\u2019t over, but as the dust settles, health and safety issues &#8212; from ergonomics to environmental exposures, to workers\u2019 compensation, to workplace violence, and more \u2013 are beginning to reemerge through the pandemic panic.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">That\u2019s when Health and Safety Committees shine.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cAll the things pushed aside by COVID, the floodgates are opening,\u201d said Stella. \u201cAs COVID goes down, we are fighting to get our Health and Safety Committees back up and running to address these issues.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The health and safety field encompasses more than just the potential for illness or injury from diseases like COVID or accidents like a slip and fall \u2013 educating members on what to look for and how to advocate in their workplace is a primary function of the PEF Health and Safety Department.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe are trying to recruit new people,\u201d Stella said. \u201cWe want to build and solidify statewide, agency-level and local-level Health and Safety Committees and are making a concerted effort to reengage and refocus.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Under Article 18 of the PEF contract, New York state and PEF must establish agency and local Health and Safety Committees; schedule meetings at least quarterly; refer matters not resolved locally to the agency level; and refer matters not resolved at the agency level to the statewide level for review.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe are entitled to one Health and Safety Committee for each worksite,\u201d explained Health and Safety Specialist Veronica Foley. While that might work for facilities, some agencies covering multiple locations or smaller offices with similar needs, like the State Education Department and the Department of Labor, may benefit from regional committees instead.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">PEF offers education on advocating for your workplace<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Health and Safety Department offers myriad training opportunities for rank-and-file members to get involved and help ensure their workplace is safe.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Every other year, the department holds a three-day conference to bring together committee chairs and experts, allowing members to network and learn about different occupational safety and health issues.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Since the pandemic derailed meetings in 2020, the department hopes to bring back the conference in the Spring of 2023, as well as revitalize other recruitment efforts, such as the Plus One Program, where leaders can bring along a \u201cplus one\u201d who is interested in health and safety, immersing the recruit in information sessions and networking opportunities. Members involved in the Plus One Program have made great strides within the union to become health and safety advocates, committee members, local chairs and sometimes even statewide chairs for their agency committees.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Health and Safety Department also offers training programs with mutual benefits for the State and the PEF membership. For example, state employees have significant rates of repetitive strain injuries and poor ergonomic set up. The Health and Safety Department has a nationally recognized ergonomics program which offers a full day course for state agencies to train a peer group of employees on\u00a0how\u00a0to conduct an ergonomic assessment of workstations and properly set them up for employees to work more comfortably and with less injury. Repetitive strain injuries can be very costly to the state, but this program has proven to reduce workplace injuries due to poor ergonomics. \u00a0\u201cThe ergonomics program is also a great way for members to get involved in the union and collaborate with their agency,\u201d said Health and Safety Specialist Paige Saakyan, who leads the PEF Ergonomics Program.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Member involvement is vital to the success of health and safety programs. Without those boots on the ground across the agencies and state, issues wouldn\u2019t be brought to the attention of local PEF representatives.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cSometimes one person\u2019s issue leads to broader discussions,\u201d said Stella.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Case in point: a new disinfectant sickens an employee, so they bring it to the attention of their local PEF steward. That begins a narrative and brings about a solution that may benefit others who were sickened in other areas or locations but didn\u2019t say anything.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIn the fight for safe workplaces, nobody does it better than the PEF Health and Safety staff. But we can\u2019t be everywhere,\u201d Stella said. \u201cWe try to teach the committees how to advocate so they are empowered to do it continuously. We want to teach them to fish!\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Whether it\u2019s reporting an issue or serving on a committee, PEF urges members to become advocates for themselves and their coworkers.\u00a0\u00a0 Health and Safety Specialist Shawn Bobb summed it up this way: \u201cPEF is a member- driven union \u2013 they are the ones who make things happen.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe are working with PEF Organizing and Field Services to re-build our committee structure,\u201d Stella said. \u201cCOVID destroyed it. People retired or left state employment and the local committee structure fell apart. We need to get back to the stronger structures we used to have.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe have to make sure we have active Health and Safety Committees,\u201d said Bobb. \u201cWe have to have volunteers participate, identify advocates who want to be involved, and get them training. Even if they can\u2019t be on a committee, they can be involved in making their workplaces safer.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you\u2019re interested in getting involved, joining a Health and Safety Committee, or to get training, reach out to your local PEF leader, Steward, or PEF Field Representative, or contact the PEF Health and Safety Department at <\/span><a href=\"mailto:HealthAndSafety@pef.org\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">HealthAndSafety@pef.org<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> or 800-342-4306 ext. 254.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>July 15, 2022 &#8212; The PEF Health and Safety Department hit the ground running in 2020 when COVID-19 began its sweep across the world \u2013 fighting for on-the-job protections, securing&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1766,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"division":[],"allowed_regions":[],"allowed_divisions":[],"class_list":["post-1763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","issue-volume-40-no-6"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>From A \u2013 Z (Asbestos to Zero Injuries), PEF Health &amp; 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