Let’s stop costly injuries now


Sometimes the worker can never work again,” Brynien said. “The people who begrudge state


employees their pay and pensions never consider how hard our members work to get and do these jobs that can be so dangerous, or how abruptly our careers can be ended. How


TotalWorkers’ Comp Costs (2010-2011)


OPWDD 24.4%


many of our critics would be willing to work so hard and take such risks? It really does add insult to injury.” PEF’s main


OMH 17.1%


recommendations for reducing the injuries and costs are: • Establish a


DOCCS 30.1% ALL OTHERS 27.9%


task force of managers and union representatives with experience in occupational safety and


health to identify best practices for


preventing injuries; • Provide professional health and


Training provides labor, management with insight into safer workplaces


Story and photos By DEBORAH A. MILES PEF and management chairs of health


and safety committees from around the state gathered in Latham April 10 to network, learn and discuss the role of the committees. The topics ranged from the basic


functions of health and safety committees to training on the Public Employee Safety and Health Program (PESH) and advocating for injured co-workers. PEF Health and Safety Chair Kathy


D’Arminio said the 70 people who attended the conference walked away with a lot of valuable information to take back to their own committees. “Changes have occurred in many state


agencies, so we are very pleased to be able to support new and existing health and safety committee chairs at the agency and local level with high quality education and training,” D’Arminio said. “The Governor’s Office of Employee


Relations and PEF have each placed a high value on supporting our network of PS&T Contract Article 18 health and safety committees. Strong leadership on these committees is key in identification and control of job hazards. With cuts in services and the workforce, mergers and the state’s hiring freeze, effective committees are more important than ever, as we are seeing an increase in injuries and workers’ compensation claims,” she said. PEF Executive Board member Todd


www.pef.org


SHARING INFORMATION– Todd Kerner and SandraHart exchange information on health and safety issues at anApril conference held in Latham. Approximately 70 PEF health and safety chairs and state managers learned the facts about work-related injury costs, domestic violence in the workplace and advocating for injured co-workers.


Kerner, an associate tax attorney, said the conference was beneficial for many reasons. “I wanted to find out what issues were


affecting other agencies and what we can learn about them. Hearing how other people solve their problems may guide or influence the way we approach our future health and safety challenges,” Kerner said. Sandra Hart, a utility engineer 1 at the state Department of Public Service, said


one of the best things the conference provided was the opportunity for managers and workers to be on the same page. “It’s good to see the state and labor


working together to promote a healthier and safer environment in the workplace,” Hart said. If you would like more information on


developing or improving your committee, visit the PEF website and click on health and safety.


The Communicator May 2012—Page 5


safety staff to the state agencies with the highest risks for injuries; • Invest in equipment and training


to promote the safe handling of patients; • Identify the causes of slips, trips


and falls, and institute solutions to prevent them; and • Make maximum use of existing


joint labor-management health and safety committees, and establish them at worksites that lack them. “If the governor commits to working


with us, we can significantly reduce the costs and suffering,” Brynien said. “We’re ready to do it now. There’s no advantage in waiting.”


HEALTH & SAFETY


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24