DC47 Health & Safety Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 27, 2006

Attendees
Kathy Black, Health & Safety Director, District Council 47; Jerry Roseman, Industrial Hygienist; Louise Carpino, Health & Safety Officer for Court Employees, Local 810; Sondra Corry, Steward, Free Library, Local 2187; Mary Kerr, Steward, Recreation, Local 2187; John Bromley, Department of Recreation, Local 2187; David Mora, Vice President, Local 2187; Judy Hoover, Union Agent, Local 2187; Bob Coyle, Local 2187; Virginia Brown, Health Department; Mark Whitlock, Executive Board Member, BRT, Local 2187; Terry Scott, Steward, DHS, Local 2187; Vanessa Fields, Executive Board Member and Shop Steward, DHS, Local 2187; T. Kim Robinson, Library, Local 2186; Joe Perry, Library, Local 2186; John Vago, Water Department, Local 2187; Nathan Willcox, Penn Environment.

Ergonomic Training

Kathy conducted an Ergonomic training session on repetitive motion workplace injuries and how to prevent them. Ergonomics is the practice of adapting the job to fit the person, instead of treating workers as if “one size fits all.” Occupations such as truck drivers, factory workers, and computer workers, to name a few, are subject to these injuries.

Kathy outlined the risk factors associated with computer work, including speed, force, number of repetitious movements, job stress, insufficient recovery time and lack of rest breaks are contributing factors. Then she outlined the symptoms one would expect to experience if a RSI (repetitive strain injury) is developing. She reviewed the types of injuries that can occur, including carpal tunnel syndrome and various forms of tendonitis. The rest of the training was spent reviewing a perfectly equipped and adjusted work station for computer use, including accessories and proper laptop use.

Most of the information covered in the training can be found in “Keys to Healthy Computing”, the excellent booklet published by AFSCME International’s Health and Safety Department.

Committee members were urged to take the information back to their coworkers and help arrange workplace training for all DC47 members.

Risk Management

Linwood Murray has replaced Francine Locke on the Risk Management staff, and he attended our last meeting. Other staffing issues were discussed, including Risk’s efforts to update antiquated titles in departments where people are operating as Health and Safety Officers. More training should be provided to those folks so more functions can be assumed by Department personnel and less by Risk staff.

The Thermal Comfort Policy still has not been promulgated, but no new changes are anticipated. We are waiting for the Managing Director to sign it so training and implementation can begin.

Not many Injury Report copies are coming to Kathy, apparently because our members are not signing off on the designated space. Committee members are urged to talk to injured members and make sure they complete the form, including the DC47 checkoff. Kathy can follow up with them much more quickly if she receives this form.

A new Request for Proposals has gone out for the Third Party Administration of IOD benefits. It is available on the City’s website. Timely payment of bills and transparent communication will be strict criteria for awarding of the contract, as there are still outstanding problems getting CSI to pay old bills. Little has been accomplished in settling these old scores.

A Workplace Violence policy has been issued at the First Judicial District. It is a good start, but the union was prohibited from participating in its development. Also, it does not deal with trapping threatening messages received by probation officers, especially over weekends.

The Bomb Scare Policy also awaits the Managing Director’s signature.

The Library Health & Safety Committee members are considering guidelines for dealing with problem patrons. However, there is concern that librarians will be asked to perform the duties of guards when intervention in a dangerous or volatile situation is required. Barry Scott agreed with union representatives that librarians should not be expected to intervene in such cases, but should call guards. We expressed our concern that there are not enough guards at the libraries and they have been complaining for years about inadequate training. Barry agreed to work with the Library and the Police Department on solutions.

The next meeting date for the Quarterly Meeting with Risk Management is Thursday, April 27, 2006.

Avian Flu Threat

A National Plan has been developed, but AFSCME believes it is woefully inadequate and has pressed for stronger protective standards for health care workers. It has been sent to Secretary Elaine Chao, Department of Labor, and is available at www.AFSCME.org. The City is also developing an Emergency Preparedness Plan, to deal with an Avian Flu outbreak as well as other possible emergencies. That is available on the City’s website, www.phila.gov. The immediate concern is for health care workers as responders. The Union will be involved with the City’s plan and will keep the membership informed.

LNG – Liquefied Natural Gas – Nathan Willcox

Our guest was Nathan Willcox of Penn Environment. Mr. Willcox explained that PGW is proposing a storage facility be built at a Port Richmond location, near the Delaware River, and that LNG be transported in tankers up the Delaware River to this site. PGW sees the project as a financial windfall and promises savings to customers, but many groups think the costs will be much greater, especially regarding security that must be supplied to protect the volatile substance. LNG poses a potentially catastrophic threat to life, health and property within a one mile radius of the storage facility. The tankers and the storage facility are considered possible terrorist targets, and they are highly explosive. Congress stated 30 years ago, before our terrorist age, that such facilities should never be located in population centers. The residents of Port Richmond and other neighborhoods along the river have been holding town meetings and generally oppose a plant being built in their neighborhood. The floor was open for questions and answers. Then a motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to recommend to the DC47 Executive Board that our Council oppose the development of the storage facility and convey that opposition to the Mayor and City Council.

Upcoming Events

The next Health & Safety Advisory Committee Meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 19, 2006.