Safety Net Volume 3 Issue 3

November 2023 Volume 3 | Issue 3:

Quick turnaround expected for
Workplace Violence Prevention Plans

ENFORCEMENT OF NEW LAW TO BEGIN ON JANUARY 4

October’s newsletter discussed a new state law that requires public schools and BOCES to develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs. The law goes into effect on Jan. 4, 2024. The state Department of Labor met with OSH about the expectations and enforcement of the new law. PESH is expecting that all affected schools and BOCES are in full compliance with the law by the time the law takes effect.

What are school districts required to do?
Districts are required to give authorized union representatives an opportunity to participate in the process to develop and assess workplace violence prevention planning. Your employer should be reaching out, or have already reached out, regarding this.

Where can I get more information on this?

CSEA has an entire section of our website devoted to this question for schools. Visit cseany.org/workplace-violence-prevention. Frequently Asked Questions, Resources, and links are available.

Additionally, on Nov. 14, the OSH department hosted two virtual webinars for school district leadership discussing the newly amended workplace violence prevention law. CSEA trained leadership and activists on the basic employer requirements, available CSEA resources, and provided time for leadership to voice concerns and questions. There will be more future schools information coming out, keep an eye out.

This webinar is available to view on demand at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3449422398740937822

Please print and share CSEA’s informational flyer on workplace violence prevention in public schools here.

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL TRAIN THE TRAINER

Temporary Traffic Control Train the Trainer completed in Saratoga Springs, NY

The CSEA Occupational Safety and Health Department’s nationally recognized Peer Trainer Program recently completed at Saratoga Springs State Park, a four-day Train the Trainer course on Temporary Traffic Control. The Peer Trainer program is a labor-management cooperative effort that requires an agreement between CSEA and the employer for participation in the program.

CSEA members and management teams from City of Kingston, City of Syracuse, Town of Hempstead, Town of Lloyd, Town of Wallkill and NYS Office of Parks and Historical Preservation’s Genesee, Palisades and Saratoga/Capital regions completed training in the unique controls and practices needed to implement a Traffic Control Plan, where abnormal conditions are the norm. The patented “AT-BAT” model for traffic control through a work zone was taught with the requirement that those trained would bring the information back to their workplaces.

Why are Traffic Control Plans important?

Nationally, there were nearly three work zone fatalities per day in 2021.

From 2012-2021, there have been 6,860 fatalities and greater than 390,000 injuries in work zones.

There were seven fatal work zone crashes/fatalities in New York in 2021.

Nearly 60 CSEA members have been killed in work zones since our union started keeping track in 1983, and nearly half of these fatalities were caused by the traveling public.

REACH OUT TO US

What would you be interested in reading about in the Safety Net? Reach out to us!

We love hearing from you!

More importantly, readers truly enjoy and connect with member-submitted content. The Safety Net’s mission is to strengthen CSEA’s safety network and gain visibility to encourage CSEA members to take part/have a role in improving their workplace conditions. What better way to build a network and inspire each other than to hear from one another and learn in the process? What’s your story? We would love to hear it! Share your content, which could simply be a safety-related quote/slogan, meme, or photo. You may also submit your own written content; tell us about a particular experience, success story, or give a shoutout to a CSEA member/committee/local or unit that deserves some recognition! Please note that all content must be original or attributed to the original source.

*All participants receive a prize!

GET INVOLVED

Be an Advocate for Safety: Help Rebuild CSEA’s Safety Network!

Print the Safety Net newsletter in bulletin format: cseany.org/safetynet

Show us a photo of the newsletter bulletin posted in your workplace to receive a prize!
*Email any submissions and ideas to bernadette.foley@cseainc.org.