No health and safety committee?

April 1, 2024 • Health and Safety Articles • 4 minutes to read

April 1, 2024 Health and Safety Articles 4 minutes to read

What to do

By Dorothy Wigmore

Just found a health or safety hazard at work? Trying to figure out if something is a hazard? Worried about on-going symptoms you or others have?

What if there’s no union health and safety committee? While it’s a good time to organize one, what do NJEA members do before that happens?

“Members don’t have to do it alone,” says Judi Meyer. The long-time UniServ consultant and former special education teacher is based in the Region 3 office serving Burlington and Camden counties. “There’s always someone to help, people like me who deal with the issues.”

Like all reps, Meyer has backup. There’s the NJEA health and safety staff person, Mike Rollins, and the New Jersey Work Environment Council (WEC), which helps with technical issues, analyzing reports and education.

What’s the process?

Districts have procedures to report health and safety issues. Start there. The state requires those with more than three schools have electronic systems. However it’s done, keep a copy of whatever you submit.

If it needs to be dealt with right away, tell the principal and then fill out the form, Meyer says. Then tell the local president who will call the UniServ rep for advice and support.

Reporting a problem or concern isn’t enough.

“You can’t assume that once you tell the administration that they’ll respond,” Meyer says. “We have to keep after them until they realize we’re serious.”

This is particularly important when things change over time, like temperature and humidity.

One local Meyer worked with sent daily temperature and humidity readings to the administration to show the problem wasn’t fixed. Locals can purchase or borrow equipment that measures both; while more expensive, a device that includes carbon dioxide (CO2)—an indicator of fresh air—has multiple uses. Be sure the device is, or can be, calibrated—checked to ensure accuracy.

Documentation is essential.

“Emotions can run high. People may think it’s one thing when it’s another,” Meyer says. When it comes to things that may smell, like mold, she reminds members that not everyone reacts the same way, or members may be comfortable at different temperatures. (Women tend to feel the cold more than men do.)

Documentation does not always mean tests. Results may not represent on-going conditions and there can be issues with how tests are done. (See “Pros and Cons of Industrial Hygiene Sampling” in the NJEA Health and Safety Manual.)

Where to start?

Union members can work together to collect facts and data without an official committee.

“They don’t have to know all the information, but we want them to know where to get it,” Meyer says. “We’ve got to be where we are by asking questions.”

Open questions—ones that don’t get “yes” or “no” answers—usually work best. Talk to others throughout the school, tailoring questions to the situation. What’s the air like? Have they seen mold? Where? What do the custodial or facilities staff know? What chemicals are used inside or outside? If others know you’re “investigating,” they may want to help too.

Local association leaders may have heard something. Talking to them can provide help for the immediate issue, and for setting up a health and safety committee. It’s all part of organizing for effective action.

Keep track of things. Meyer recommends a binder for notes and a map of the building. Start with the fire hazard and emergency exit maps. Add maps that you and others draw, using information from conversations, walk-arounds, etc.

These hazard or workplace maps come in different forms. They can be adapted to specific issues or expanded for an overall view. Meyer helps members color code for indoor air issues, using red for areas where people have symptoms or are sick, green for mold and brown for smells/odors. WEC runs mapping workshops and there are online resources about hazard and body mapping (to find out how hazards affect people).

Pictures also help. Take close-ups and shots from further away for context. Add them to the maps or complaints. Share them with the union and co-workers.

To the binder, add a copy of the NJEA Health and Safety Manual and relevant health and safety columns that date back more than 10 years—all available njea.org. Search there for specific topics. (Printed versions are often easier to read.)

For example, the Health and Safety Manual has an indoor air quality checklist based on the state’s Indoor air quality standard (pages 60 to 62). Meyer pointed out section 13.4 (c).

“It says the employer has to remediate damp or wet materials by drying, replacing, removing or cleaning within 48 hours of discovery, and continue until the water intrusion is eliminated,” she says. “It’s a biggie.”

Finally, whatever happens, use your new knowledge and skills to help set up a health and safety committee. It’s a route to more training and health and safety fixes that benefit the full cross-section of local members. Like other job-related issues, solidarity is important.

Dorothy Wigmore is a long-time health and safety specialist and WEC consultant. She has worked in Canada, the U.S. and Mozambique, focusing on prevention and worker participation to solve job-related hazards.