Health and Safety
I. Actual language negotiated by Local 1770, Fort Bragg:
HEALTH AND SAFETY: To insure a healthful work environment, the Employer will maintain an Occupational Health Program, and provide those health and medical services, to include immunizations, required by present and future published regulations. The Employer will make every effort to provide the most modern and efficient personal safety equipment, safe working conditions, and facilities and to comply with applicable Federal laws and regulations relating to the safety and health of employees.
a. The Employer agrees that all emergency motorized firefighting vehicles will receive top priority in maintenance, to assure that the emergency vehicles will be in safe operating condition at all times.
b. It is agreed by both parties that safety is a collective responsibility of the Employer, the Employee and the Union. The Union will support the Installation Safety Program by insuring that employees observe all safety regulations in the performance of their assigned duties, report promptly to their immediate supervisors any observed unsafe practices or conditions, and report any on the job injuries to the immediate supervisor at once. Employees agree to properly wear and/or use issued personal protective equipment.
c. The Employer agrees to provide all necessary protection and training, in accordance with applicable regulations to prevent an employee from being exposed to infectious diseases.
II. Language proposed by Local 1770, Fort Bragg:
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
The Employer will assure that safe and healthful working and living conditions are provided for the bargaining unit employees that are consistent with the provisions of applicable laws and regulations. The parties agree that the Fort Bragg Fire and Emergency Service Program shall comply with applicable DOD instruction, Army Instructions, NFPA Standards, OSHA regulations, and other applicable laws and regulations [whichever is more stringent]. The union agrees to cooperate with the Employer by encouraging employees to conscientiously abide by established safety rules; to work in a safe manner; to wear protective equipment prescribed by the employer and to report observed safety and health hazard to the Employer in accordance with applicable procedures.
A. Fire And Emergency Services Division Staffing. The Employer agrees to staff the Fire and Emergency Service Division within this bargaining unit pursuant to the provisions of DoD Instruction 6055.6 and/or the facility Risk Assessment as discussed in AR 420-90 whichever provides for greater manning. Furthermore, the Employer agrees to staff and operate all required fire apparatus pursuant to Enclosure (5) of DoD 6055.6 dated October 10, 2000. The Employer agrees that any deviation from the minimum staffing requirements established by the Department of Defense and the Department of the Army will only be accomplished after a waiver has been granted by the Secretary of the Army or designated representative. The Employer further agrees to notify the Union in writing of its desire to reduce the staffing levels below the minimum requirements. The Union will be provided copies of all requests for waivers initiated by the Employer in addition to any approved waivers granted by the Secretary of the Army upon request. To this end, the PARTIES agree to establish and maintain a Fire and Emergency Services Division Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that identifies the specific staffing requirements for the Ft Bragg Fire and Emergency Services Division.
D. Equipment. The Employer shall provide for the inspection, testing, and proper maintenance of equipment used by bargaining unit employees in accordance with Equipment Manuals, NFPA, OSHA, and DoD/Army regulations, whichever is more stringent. The results of these tests shall be made available to the Union upon request. The Employer agrees to take prompt and appropriate action when an unsafe condition involving apparatus and/or equipment is reported to or observed by the Employer. Qualified personnel will accomplish repairs. New and replaced equipment will meet applicable standards. The Employer agrees that all emergency motorized firefighting equipment and apparatus will receive top priority for maintenance. The Employer further agrees that any equipment that is found to be deficient will be immediately taken out of service and repaired to working order.
E. Safety and Health Training. The Employer shall provide appropriate training on safety and industrial health matters related to the work environment. This includes the use and proper maintenance of protective clothing, devices and equipment. Extreme weather conditions will be considered when scheduling non-emergency work and/or drill training.
F. Infectious Diseases Prevention. With the on-going concern toward the spread of infectious diseases, the Employer agrees to provide all necessary protection and training, in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to emergency health care providers, to prevent employees from being exposed to these diseases. This protection will include but not be limited to disposable gloves, micro-shields, disposable aprons, etc. The Employer also agrees to provide in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, the proper decontamination equipment and cleaning products (i.e. bleach, antibacterial soap, germicides, alcohol, etc.) in the fire stations and on the vehicles.
G. Hazardous Materials Exposure Record. The Employer agrees that employees exposed to hazardous substances, toxic fumes, epoxies, radiation, etc., shall be given an appropriate physical evaluation as soon as practicable. In the event that the exposure was to blood and/or body fluids, the Employer shall, at the employee’s request, provide for HIV and HBV screening. The employer will maintain an up to date Hazardous Materials Exposure Record for all bargaining unit employees. The Employer agrees to provide the Union a copy of this record, consistent with the requirements of 5 USC 7114(b)(4).
H. The Employer will welcome suggestions from the Union and unit employees, which offer practical and economically feasible ways of improving safety conditions in the Fire Department.
I. Safety Committee. The Employer agrees to establish a Fire Department Safety Committee for the purpose of addressing Fire Department safety issues and implementing the NFPA Standards into the Fire & Emergency Services Division. This committee will be comprised of bargaining unit members, and an equal number of representatives from Fire Department Management and the Union. The committee will meet as often as needed to fully implement those portions of the NFPA Standards that are within their authority. The committee will make all recommendations to the Fire Chief for his approval and incorporation into the appropriate Fire Department Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG).
P. Injury Claims Training. At least once a year, the Employer will provide OWCP training (how to file a claim and what rights the employee has according to current OWCP regulations and Federal Law) to all firefighter bargaining unit employees.
***** Notes on Health & Safety *****.
Language could include:
a) Immunizations - which ones will be provided
b) laws and regulations including NFPA 1500, 1582, 1710 and other applicable national concensus standards that the agency must follow pursuant tothe National Technology Transfer Act.
c) apparatus maintenance - specify frequency and who is responsible