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Public
Employee Press Panel
focuses on workplace violence Random acts of violence
erupt in the workplace with alarming frequency, and prevention has become a union
priority. On March 28, workplace safety advocates outlined the critical elements
of an effective workplace violence prevention program at a seminar sponsored by
the city Central Labor Council and the New York Committee on Occupational Safety
and Health.
DC 37 Safety Director Lee Clarke moderated and participated
in a panel of experts that included Maureen Cox of the New York State Dept. of
Labor, Jonathan Rosen of the Public Employees Federation and Stephen Mooser of
the Retail Workers.
While New York State recently enacted the Workplace
Violence Prevention Law, the regulations that will be used for enforcement are
in dispute. New York City is contesting a provision that calls for input from
employee representatives, such as union safety and health advocates. Despite this,
trade unions are gearing up for the day when regulations are adopted and enforcement
becomes mandatory.
According to the panelists, the key elements of an effective
program include management commitment and employee involvement; an assessment
of risk and a site-specific workplace analysis; hazard prevention and control;
training andeducation and recordkeeping and evaluation.
The key elements
are based on requirements of the new law, federal Occupational Safety and Health
Act guidelines, and the experience of safety and health advocates. | |