Page 30 - UFCW Union Steward Handbook
P. 30
STEWARD’S ROLE IN SAFETY AND HEALTH
l Tell co-workers the importance of reporting all injuries and illnesses.
l Stress the importance of reporting early signs and symptoms of
illnesses such as sore hands, wrists and shoulders.
l Provide the location of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and
other health and safety information.
l Advise co-workers about the negative effects of safety programs
that blame workers when they get hurt and discourage reporting of
injuries and illnesses.
Educate management, local union leaders, and staff
l Bring awareness to safety and health hazards in the workplace.
l Provide ways to improve conditions and re-design jobs.
Identify hazards
l Conduct walk-arounds to identify hazards.
l Survey co-workers.
l Report hazards to management.
l Monitor management’s response to correcting hazards.
l Request and analyze OSHA 300 Logs and other safety and health-
related records .
l Conduct union investigations of safety and health incidents.
Take action
l Attend union meetings and educational seminars.
l File OSHA complaints (in coordination with your local union).
l Accompany OSHA inspectors who visit the workplace.
l Develop ideas for future health and safety contract language.
l If requested, accompany co-workers to the nurse’s office.
l Help organize job actions around safety and health issues (i.e.,
wearing stickers, signing petitions).
l Communicate with and/or serve on joint labor-management safety
and health committees.
l Help organize and attend union-only safety and health committees.
28 UFCW UNION STEWARD HANDBOOK
