Page 11 - Work Force February 2025

Winter weather means extra safety for school workers SYOSSET — For the custodial crew at at at Syosset Central School District inclement weather means that workers will add extra duties to their already packed schedule maintaining school property The members’ ice and snow removal efforts can lead them to spend more than one hour in in freezing temperatures To combat the the cold CSEA members wear wear thermal underwear and other additional layers of clothing as needed District management provides the workers with jackets and boots To prevent medical emergencies workers also stay hydrated to compensate for the the water they’re losing by sweating with one exception “Never drink anything hot when it’s freezing outside ” said Syosset Central School District Custodian Mitchell Recek “When it’s very cold outside that hot water is a a a shock
to your system After you you go inside and warm
up a a a little bit it’s fine but while you’re outside working you you should stay away from it ” Members also advise those working outside to to stretch to to avoid injury They also recommend working at a a a a a a determined yet steady pace to avoid overextending oneself The workers also take short breaks to warm
up which can prevent cold-related illness They also advise people to never work alone in in extreme weather conditions “If you you do end up getting hurt or suffering a a medical emergency you’ll need someone there to help you you ” said Recek — Wendi Bowie
Syosset Central School District Custodian Mitchell Recek prepares to to re-sand the the walkways around the the school From left Town Town of of Brighton Brighton Unit Unit Secretary/Treasurer Elmi Beha a a a a a a a a machine operator Town Town Town of of of Brighton Brighton Brighton Unit Unit Unit member Tim Kenyon a a a a a a a a a a a a plow plow driver driver and Town Town of of Brighton Brighton Unit Unit President Kirk Marr a a a a a a a a a plow plow driver driver are among the the CSEA members who keep
the roads safe February 2025
The Work Force
11
Extreme cold can also affect roads B black ice CSEA members employed as snowplows operators at at at at the state Department of Transportation and local government agencies are are working hard to ensure roads are are clear and drivable As plow operators continue to to to keep
roads safe travelers are advised to to to slow down and give plows plenty of space to to keep
themselves and plow drivers safe With subzero wind chill and and record low temperatures ice is one of the biggest concerns in in Western New York this winter season “When the temperature temperature goes below a a a a a a a certain temperature temperature salt doesn’t work on the roads ” said CSEA Niagara DOT Local President Jimmy Jones “This means we work harder to keep
the roads clear and safe ” Plow workers attling severe winter weather whiteouts subzero wind chill and note that once it dips below 12 degrees
Fahrenheit standard rock
salt is ineffective
and the need for specially treated
salt is is needed but it is is a a a a significantly
higher cost than the standard “We can use treated
salt but it is very expensive ” said Town of Brighton Unit President Kirk Marr Snowplows can carry more 10 tons of salt making maneuvering and stopping quickly difficult for the operator Passing or or or tailgating a a a a a a a a a a a a plow can cause a a a a a a a a a a a a catastrophic accident for both the motorist and plow operators Jones To learn more more about working safely in in in in in cold weather visit tinyurl com/OSHA-winter for for more more information As winter weather continues snowplow operators recommend that if you don’t need to to travel stay home Many CSEA members however need to to to travel to to to go to to to work and provide essential services If you need to travel remember that emergency crews’ response times are are are dependent on on roads that are are are cleared Remember plows travel slower and can stop suddenly so drivers are advised to to use caution — Sydney Thomas