Public Employee Press

Union offers tips about on-the-job safety

Members of 23 locals recently learned how to deal with on-the-job safety problems in a series of classes offered by DC 37’s Safety and Health Dept.

“Most of us spend most of our time on the job, so it’s critical that we be aware of how to work safely,” said Radio Repair Mechanic Derrick Caldwell, a 14-year employee at the Dept. of Education. As a shop steward and a member of Local 1087’s Executive Board, he felt the need to enroll. “It’s really important to be informed about these issues in the workplace,” he said.

The main health and safety issues Caldwell and his co-workers face involve the lead-based solder he and co-workers use, poor ventilation and the need for an exhaust system. “We have to make sure that these toxins are not flowing through our atmosphere,” he explained. “Since it isn’t cost-effective for management to take all the precautions they should, it’s up to us to inform ourselves and push to correct these situations as they arise.”

School Lunch Aide Phillipa Lewin, a member of Local 372, rated the classes as excellent. “I would recommend them to others,” she said. “I learned how to handle lots of different situations and I plan to take the next series of advanced classes.”

Local 420 member Monique Jaysura became a grievance rep in DC 37’s Hospitals Division. “The sessions on Workers’ Comp and violence in the workplace were particularly helpful for me. We learned about the resources that are available to help members.”

Principal Program Coordinator Susan Tindall coordinated the series and all of her co-workers in the Safety and Health Dept. took part in the classes. “Members were so eager for the information that they didn’t want to leave, even after a full day’s work. We had great participation and people were so engaged,” she said.

“We should have more classes like this,” Jaysura said. Watch PEP for announcements on the next series of classes.