Introduction
In 1989, AFSCME along with the rest of the AFL-CIO, established April 28 as Workers Memorial Day. On this day each year the labor movement pays special tribute to all the workers who have been killed, injured or made sick at work. This is also a day when AFSCME renews its commitment to FIGHT FOR THE LIVING. The struggle for a safe workplace takes place 365 days a year. For every worker who is killed on the job, many more workers are injured or made ill because of their work. Some of those who have been hurt or are sick can no longer do their jobs. They are disabled with conditions such as lung disease from asbestos, bad backs from moving patients, and carpal tunnel syndrome from data entry work.
Deaths and injuries on the job are not random events. The dangerous conditions that cause fatalities, injuries, and illnesses can and should be corrected before tragedies happen. Staying alive and healthy requires action. Dangerous conditions in the workplace must be spotted and steps must be taken to get rid of hazards. Worker safety is too important to leave to management. Workers acting together through their union can pressure their employers to ensure a safe workplace.
How to use this manual
The purpose of this manual is to help AFSCME members and staff take action to safeguard workers’ lives and health. It contains information on workers’ rights and on controlling hazards. The manual is also intended to be an activist’s tool kit. The sample checklists, surveys, forms, contacts and other items can be used to address many situations.
This manual also stresses activities and strategies that build the union. The first chapter focuses on increasing union activism to solve health and safety problems. Tips on how to increase workers’ participation can be found throughout the manual.
About OSHA
There are references to OSHA throughout the manual. OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which was created by passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act in 1971. OSHA gives workers the right to a safe and healthful workplace. The biggest problem for AFSCME is that OSHA does not cover all public-sector workers.
Many AFSCME members are covered by states that have passed laws that give the same or similar protections to public employees. Twenty-three states and Puerto Rico have federally approved laws that cover public employees. Other states, such as Illinois and Wisconsin, have laws to protect public employees, but are not approved by federal OSHA. See Chapter 12 for more information about OSHA coverage and what it means.
OSHA standards are mentioned throughout the manual. OSHA standards are regulations that are intended to protect workers. OSHA standards have numbers (citations) and appear in this manual in boldface type. For example, the OSHA respiratory protection standard appears as "29 CFR 1910.134."
Chapters 2 through 4 provide an overview of the hazards faced by AFSCME members and how to protect workers. Chapters 5 through 11 contain more specific information on controlling chemicals, communicable diseases, repetitive strain injuries, physical dangers, indoor air quality, safety hazards, and security risks, respectively. Health and safety laws are explained in Chapter 12. Chapter 13 deals with securing protections through collective bargaining and labor/management committees.
No manual can address all the health and safety problems of every AFSCME member. Taken together, our members work in hundreds of different occupations and face thousands of hazards. Therefore, this manual is meant as a starting point for members and staff to address the most common and serious health and safety problems. AFSCME’s health and safety staff can provide more information and assistance to help local unions and district councils in their efforts to protect the lives and well-being of our members.
