WHEREAS:

AFSCME members are exposed to thousands of toxic chemicals on the job, many of which cause cancer, reproductive defects, and other serious chronic and acute health problems; and

WHEREAS:

Most AFSCME members are now covered by Right-to-Know laws which require labeling of chemical containers, training about the dangers of chemicals and how to protect yourself, and provision of Material Safety Data Sheets; and

WHEREAS:

Most employers of AFSCME members are not complying with the requirements of Right-to-Know laws. Most members have not received adequate training or information; and

WHEREAS:

Few states have provisions in their Right-to-Know laws which require employers to train workers about the infectious diseases they may be exposed to; and

WHEREAS:

Most Material Safety Data Sheets that AFSCME members receive do not contain much of the information required by the law, and most are very difficult for the average member to understand.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME affiliates work to pass Right-to-Know laws in those states where there are no such laws; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME affiliates work to include infectious diseases Right-to-Know laws which do not have such language; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urge federal and state OSHA to better enforce the Right-to-Know laws; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urge OSHA to work out a standard format for Material Safety Data Sheets which can be understood by the average person, and that OSHA work to better enforce accurate and complete contents of Material Safety Data Sheets.

SUBMITTED BY:

Mike O'Dea, Vice President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 2796, Council 6
Minnesota