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March 27, 2002
Conference provides ideas for safety toolbox
See also: NYSUT Health and Safety Resource Center
PICTURED: Fred Richards shows educational materials on safe schools to Kathleen Torner of AuSable Valley TA and Karen Baker.
When the hardhats gather at a school, it's time for local union leaders to educate themselves:
- Find out whether construction areas have barriers blocking access;
- Ask whether roofs should be tested for asbestos before being repaired or replaced;
- Pose the question if ventilation should be closed after a roof leaks, and check for water damage and mold.
This was the advice from Kenneth Crumley, president of Western Sullivan United Teachers School-Related Personnel and an experienced maintenance worker. Crumley presented at a discussion group at New York State United Teachers' annual Health and Safety Conference in Albany.
Crumley said school construction should be overseen by a watchdog group that includes union members. He stressed that a material safety data sheet should be obtained for every chemical used in a school. Sometimes the question needs to be posed: Could a less intrusive chemical be used?
Crumley pointed out the hazard of diesel engines on buses idling outside the school doors; the engine should not run more than five minutes, according to state law.
Some attendees came to the March conference to learn about establishing emergency evacuation plans at schools. Others were able to see how a lifting device helps move a disabled student from a wheelchair.
Participants sent on-site faxes and e-mails to legislators to ensure state funding for health and safety initiatives. Legislative analysts gave updates on union lobbying to restore money in the state budget for compliance with health and safety standards.
Longtime public education advocate and keynote speaker Louise Slaughter, a Rochester Democratic congresswoman, told union members that exposure to lead paint has created an "educational crisis" causing lowered intelligence, reduced attention span, hyperactivity and hearing and language-acquisition problems. She said Congress approved $10 million to be added into the federal budget for lead abatement.
She also told attendees that the ergonomic standard for workplace safety under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Ergonomics bill - enacted by former President Clinton and later repealed by Congress - will not be resurrected "in our lifetime." She said a bill to encourage school construction, which is vital to restoration of schools in New York City and other urban areas, is "18 signatures short" of enough votes to pass Congress.
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Slaughter said she was struck by the efforts of educators who rescued the 9,000 children attending schools near the World Trade Center, "leading those children through that chaos" to safety, and showing the face of heroism everywhere in New York that tragic day.
- Liza Frenette
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