Page 5 - Work Force June 2021

Union helps resolve a potential worksite hazard
QUEENSBURY — Thanks to help from CSEA’s Occupational Safety and Health Department, Town of Queensbury Highway Department members have resolved a potential worksite safety hazard after the employer initially didn’t listen to the workers’ concerns.
Grates attached to the back
of plow trucks, meant to sift out chunks of salt or sand, could only be installed, removed or maintained by workers climbing on them. This practice was causing injuries.
Highway Department workers initially approached management to resolve the problem. Department managers were not receptive to emplyees’ safety concerns or suggested solutions.
Unit members turned to Warren County Local President and Town of Queensbury Unit President Susan Sheehan, who reached out to CSEA Occupational Safety and Health Specialist Brian Pomeroy.
Pomeroy agreed the issue was serious and needed to be addressed. When attempts to work with
management were unsuccessful, Pomeroy filed a complaint with
the state Public Employees Safety and Health (PESH) Bureau, which oversees safety regulations at public sector workplaces.
Sheehan, who was present for the on-site PESH investigation, recalls dismissive language from the town’s highway superintendent, who tried to blame employees for their injuries, stating they would not be hurt if they weren’t “an idiot.”
‘Serious’ violation; another incident
Earlier this year, PESH cited the
town with a “Serious” violation and issued an abatement date of Feb. 24, 2021. The town was informed that from the date of the initial inspection forward, any employee injury could be met with criminal assault charges.
On March 2, less than a week from the town petitioning PESH for an extension of the ordered abatement, another employee was injured.
Corey Tilley, a heavy equipment operator at the Town of Queensbury, tightens down a strap on a truck at the town garage.
“I reached out first to Brian Pomeroy about this employee injury on March 2, and on his advice, forwarded an email describing the incident to PESH Inspector Sue Blodgett,” said Sheehan.
PESH again investigated, denied the town’s extension request and levied fines from February 24 to March 15, the date the town ordered an outside contractor to remove the
grates off the site.
The grates will never again
be used and an initial employee suggestion to purchase a safer system to replace the grates will be implemented.
“I am so proud of CSEA for helping these members attain a safer workplace,” said Sheehan.
— Therese Assalian
Remembering fallen workers
Editor’s Note: CSEA members recently attended Workers’ Memorial Day events across the state to remember workers who have died or become seriously injured while doing their jobs. On this page are images from a few events.
CSEA Capital Region President Ron Briggs speaks to a reporter during a Workers’ Memorial Day event in downtown Albany.
CSEA Western Region President Steve Healy speaks at a DOT Workers’ Memorial
Day event in Rochester.
CSEA and other labor union members remember fallen workers during a Workers’ Memorial Day event sponsored by the Rochester Labor Council.
Left, CSEA Long Island Region President Jerry Laricchiuta plants a flower in memory of fallen workers at the worker memorial in front of the New York State Office Building in Hauppauge.
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June 2021
The Work Force