ALBANY — Two years ago, a brutal assault on a secure care treatment aide at Capital District Psychiatric Center catalyzed a safety campaign that has resulted in positive change.
Boddie
CSEA Capital District Psychiatric Center Local President Curtis Boddie views that campaign, as reported in the July-August 2023 Work Force, as a turning point that has resulted in more dialogue, transparency and awareness of safety issues at the facility and at the state Office of Mental Health (OMH).
“I’ve been here 23 years and it’s a blessing to see that things are being talked about,” said Boddie. “The mindset is shifting. It’s like a curtain being drawn back.”
CSEA’s Statewide OMH Labor-Management Committee, chaired by Buffalo Psychiatric Center Local President Lovette Mootry, has advocated for capital projects and improvements to enhance safety and working conditions for CSEA members employed at OMH facilities across the state. Since our union’s campaign:
OMH hired an agency safety and health director to better coordinate safety efforts throughout the agency; something CSEA pushed for.
A new secure unit was added and staffing was expanded. A CSEA Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department analysis found that at Capital District Psychiatric Center, the most dangerous position based on rates of injury and assault was among CSEA-represented bargaining unit members in the secure care treatment aide position.
The new unit, the most secure in the facility, expanded space, giving patients more room and allowing more private spaces. These changes left blind spots that require additional staff to monitor patients.
Four units were re-designed and newly constructed within the existing space, adding more safety features like cameras and limiting use of glass and concrete materials.
A procedural patient transport issue that brought up workplace violence concerns was corrected.
CSEA’s OMH Labor-Management Committee has been active in reporting concerns and pushing for resolutions; and are finding management to be more responsive and collaborative in addressing issues raised.
CSEA officers and CSEA OSH Department staff have been invited to safety walk-throughs and were able to identify safety items that were corrected before members were assigned to work in those locations.
Knowing that many incidents happen during transitions, Boddie and CSEA Occupational Safety and Health Specialist Brian Pomeroy were able to pick up on locations needing reinforced padding, doors instead of glass windows and in one location, were able to identify metal trim pieces that were sharp and could cause cuts in the event of a fall.
“We wanted it re-surfaced if someone fell or was pushed during an assault,” said Boddie.
Our union was key to even more safety enhancements.
“In a treatment room, we wanted a phone added for an emergency and also removal of glass from a window,” said Boddie. “Now, that room can be closed off safely because it is a wooden door.”
For Boddie, the push from CSEA and a willingness from state OMH officials to engage in dialogue on workplace safety has translated to a cultural shift.
“Where we are now from where we were three years ago is better,” said Boddie. “Management is more forward thinking, the mindset is shifting and there are more conversations taking place. Having those conversations is so important; you have to talk about this stuff.”
— Therese Assalian
