What Can CWA Leaders and Occupational Safety and Health Activists Do To Prevent Member Near Misses, Accidents, Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities Caused by Exposure to/Contact With Electrical Hazards? Let's first look at the reasons for the significant increase in "near miss" incidents, accidents, injuries, illnesses, and fatalities among telecommunications technicians. According to CWA's occupational safety and health leaders and activists, two major reasons for affected technicians experiencing safety and health problems are the result of telecommunications employers instituting increased workload/productivity requirements and decreasing the amount of workplace safety and health education and training provided to technicians (and supervisors). Regarding increased workload/productivity requirements, telecommunications employers have increased the number of assignments/tasks that technicians must complete during their work shift. Given that affected technicians do not know the nature of the assigned work/are not able to determine what needs to be accomplished until they actually arrive at the work location, the increased workload places pressure on them to "cut corners" so that the work can be completed quickly (often, too quickly). Unfortunately, working continuously at an increased pace day-in and day-out has led to an increased number of worker "near miss" incidents, accidents, injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Further, given the requirements for increased overtime work, the likelihood of work-related "near miss" incidents, accidents, injuries, illnesses, and fatalities are magnified. The development and conducting of comprehensive education and training materials and multi-day training sessions regarding working with/within close proximity to electrical power is necessary to increase worker awareness and knowledge. In turn, such increased awareness and knowledge among affected outside plant technicians would reduce the possibility of the work being performed in an unsafe and unhealthful manner. In addition, the provision of regular refresher/update educational sessions is of significant importance. One traditional method of providing workplace safety and health updates/information to affected technicians is through the use of "tail-gate" meetings. Led by the company supervisor and/or technicians, these meetings, conducted when the job is assigned at the reporting garage/work location, focus upon safety and health issues and subjects specific to the assigned work, e.g., aerial, manhole/confined space, commercial, residential, and/or central office. Issues that should be raised include work with/within close proximity to power lines/electrical hazards and methods to ensure that involved workers are not exposed to electrical hazards. Such discussions should include: • Inspection of the work area (before work is performed) for potential safety and health hazards; • Provision of engineering controls, e.g., shielding devices and specialized equipment; • Provision of ergonomic hand tools and related work equipment; • Provision of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, e.g., insulated gloves and blankets, goggles, shoes/footwear, and clothing.   Unfortunately, many telecommunications companies have cut back on the frequency, number, and/or have practically eliminated "tail gate" meetings.  Clearly, "tail gate" meetings need to be conducted routinely and included in the employer's regular education and training efforts. Rather than conduct person to person education and training efforts, most represented employers have instituted computer-based training and education. Such training is conducted with no interaction or opportunity for the affected worker(s) to ask questions or provide opinions; rather the employee merely views the computer program and provides her/his response by entering the correct information via the computer. Also, according to many Union leaders, supervisors often encourage the affected worker(s) to indicate/check off completion of the training program without actually taking the entire training. In turn, the worker is told to complete the assigned field work, thus, fulfilling the company's productivity demands. Another very important concern deals with the qualifications of managers. More and more, telecommunications employers are hiring supervisors who do not have the proper training and/or work experience. Needless to say, without these important skills, supervisors will not be as likely to conduct education and training as well as ensure the assigned work is performed in a safe and healthful manner. In instances where the represented telecommunications employer(s) do not provide safe and healthful working conditions (including required safety and health education and training), affected CWA members should: • Report this issue to her/his Local union president as well as to the company supervisor. In turn, the Local president should report this matter to the District/Bargaining Unit CWA Staff Representative who has workplace safety and health responsibilities. Ideally, the staff representative and the Local president can work with the employer representative(s) to identify and resolve the safety and health issue(s). In addition, the involved CWA Staff Representative should provide this information to CWA's Occupational Safety and Health Department. In turn, the Department may be able to assist in the resolution of the identified safety and health concerns. • If this matter cannot be resolved, in coordination with the CWA Staff Representative, the Local union should consider filing a grievance. Details gathered during the union's investigation of the incident(s)/working condition(s) should be used as the basis for the grievance. Remember, grievances must be well documented, filed, and handled in a timely manner. • If the local president and staff representative do not believe this matter will be resolved through the grievance process and there is a potential violation of an OSHA standard or, lacking an OSHA standard, the assigned work is not "free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees," in coordination with the CWA Staff Representative, the local should discuss the issue(s) with an OSHA representative and, if necessary, file an OSHA complaint. (See Chapter IX, "Resources," CWA Occupational Safety and Health Manual for the address and contact information of the federal and/or state occupational safety and health agency within your geographic area).
Safety
Local 3407 Lake Charles, Louisiana ♦ Phone (337) 477-3407 ♦ Fax (337) 474-1104
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