Tag Archives: 28 april

EL SALVADOR: SOICSCES inicia actividades del Día Mundial de la Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo 2019

José Francisco Martínez, organizador de SOICSCES. Reunión con trabajadores en el sitio de trabajo 

El Sindicato de Obreros de la Industria de la Construcción, Similares y Conexos de El Salvador (SOICSCES), afiliado a la ICM, ha dado inicio a las actividades formativas de conmemoración para el Día Mundial de la Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo de este próximo 28 de abril de 2019.

SOICSCES dio inicio a una serie de charlas de capacitación y concientización sobre Salud y Seguridad en el Trabajo (SST) en diferentes proyectos de construcción en San Salvador.

Las actividades del SOICSCES dieron inicio el 8 de abril del 2019 y continuarán durante todo el mes. Además de charlas de capacitación, el SOICSCES está haciendo entrega de material informativo sobre SST a obreros de la construcción y sus familias.

José Francisco Martínez, organizador de SOICSCES, en reunión con trabajadores el 11 de abril.

El Salvador: SOICSCES starts activities to commemorate IWMD 2019

José Francisco Martínez, SOICSCES organiser. Meeting with workers at the workplace 

The Trade Union of Construction and Allied Workers of El Salvador, SOICSCES, an affiliate of the BWI, has started its activities for International Workers’ Memorial Day to be held on 28 April 2019.

SOICSCES began a series of training and awareness-raising meetings on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in different construction projects in San Salvador.

SOICSCES activities began on 8 April 2019 and will continue throughout the month. In addition to conducting meetings at the workplace, SOICSCES is distributing information material on health and safety to construction workers and their families.

José Francisco Martínez, SOICSCES organiser, in a meeting with workers on April 11.

USA: The Dirty Dozen 2019 – Employers who put workers and communities at risk

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health  (National COSH) has published its Dirty Dozen 2019 report, which shines a spotlight on companies that egregiously put workers’ in harm’s way.

It is released in honor of Workers’ Memorial Week – joining countless others in remembering workers who have suffered injury, illness or death on the job.

National COSH has asked for help spreading the message and have asked reader to:

Further details National Council for Occupational Safety and Health

@NationalCOSH

USA: National COSH “¿Están los empleadores haciendo lo suficiente para prevenir las muertes en el lugar de trabajo?”

Semana de lxs Trabajadores Fallecidxs es un buen momento para preguntar: “¿Están los empleadores haciendo lo suficiente para prevenir las muertes en el lugar de trabajo?” La mayoría de las lesiones y muertes en el trabajo se pueden prevenir cuando los trabajadores pueden hablar sobre los peligros sin castigo. Podemos hacer más de 5,100 muertes por trauma y más de 95,000 muertes por enfermedad ocupacional.

http://coshnetwork.org/workers-memorial-week-events-2019

California ● Connecticut ● Florida ● Georgia ● Idaho ● Illinois ● Indiana ● Iowa ● Kentucky ● Maine ● Massachusetts ●Minnesota ● Nebraska ● New Jersey ● New Hampshire ● New York● Oklahoma ● Oregon ● Pennsylvania ● Puerto Rico ● Rhode Island ● Texas ● Washington ● West Virginia ● Wisconsin

Sweden: Chemical risks and work related diseases provide the focus for 28 April in Sweden

My name is Cyrene Waern and I’m the senior officer at LO responsible for occupational health and safety.

As the International Workers’ Memorial Day this year is commemorated the same day as ILO celebrates 100th anniversary we have arranged a conference on the subject of: ILO – work environment yesterday, today and tomorrow [24-26 April] https://www.av.se/om-oss/kalendarium/ilo-arbetsmiljoarbetet-i-gar-i-dag-och-i-morgon/

There is also a blog on the subject: https://loblog.lo.se/2019/04/varfor-fira-ilo-100-ar/  and another one will hopefully be published before the 28th at https://loblog.lo.se/ on the subject of chemical risks and work related diseases that the members in LO are victim to.

Best wishes,

Med vänlig hälsning,

Cyrene Martinsson Waern
Arbetsmiljö
Ombudsman
Enheten för Välfärd, Utbildning och Arbetsmarknad
Landsorganisationen i Sverige/The Swedish Trade Union Confederation
Barnhusgatan 18
105 53 Stockholm

Telefon: +46 8 796 25 21
E-post: cyrene.waern@lo.se

 

UK: Work cancer risk warning after government safety cuts

New evidence confirming a cancer risk to tyre and rubber workers may go ignored because of the UK government’s safety deregulation and cuts, the union Unite has warned. The union was commented after research published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine revealed that workers in the tyre and rubber industry remain at significant risk of developing cancers caused by exposure to N-nitrosamines and rubber dust.

Unite noted the study findings were “particularly timely as it comes just before International Workers’ Memorial Day as the theme for this year’s event is dangerous substances – get them out of the workplace,” with the 28 April global event having a particular focus on occupational cancer prevention. The union, which represents thousands of workers in the industry, says it is unable to properly address the new health concerns as there is no longer an effective body where it can raise such issues. It charges that this “is a result of the Conservative government’s attacks on safety laws.”

The union says the  UK government safety regulator, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), previously had a Tyre and Rubber Industries Safety Action Group (TRISAG), with active involvement of both employers and unions, where safety concerns could be raised and dealt with. “However TRISAG has been scrapped as a result of government pressure and no similar body has replaced its work,” Unite says.

The new study confirms earlier findings that “N-nitrosamines exposures are associated with mortality from cancers of the bladder, lung, stomach, leukaemia, multiple myeloma, oesophagus, prostate, pancreas and liver.”

Unite national officer for the rubber industry Tony Devlin said: “This authoritative study is a stark reminder of the long-term health implications of being exposed to rubber. These dangers are being neglected as a direct result of the government’s cuts which are denying workers an effective voice in the corridors of power.” He added: “The lack of an effective forum to deal with exposure to cancer causing substances is another example of how the government has washed it hands of workplace health and safety. Cancer deaths will not be reduced unless effective measures are taken to cut exposure levels to N-nitrosamines and rubber dust.”

Unite news release. Mira Hidajat and others. Lifetime exposure to rubber dusts, fumes and N-nitrosamines and cancer mortality in a cohort of British rubber workers with 49 years follow-up, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, volume 76, number 4, pages 250-258, April 2019. doi: 10.1136/oemed-2018-105181
Cancers and their work causes: An ITUC/Hazards at-a-glance guide to cancer hazards. Also in French and Spanish.

Norway: Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions to organise 28 April conference and publish report

The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions have for the last few years, in cooperation with Workers Educational Association (AOF,) arranged a conference on April 28, or on a suitable date close to the 28th. Since April 28 is on a Sunday this year, we chose, for practical reasons, to arrange our conference on the April 25.

Each year we do pay attention to topics that have been decided by the ILO, while at the same time putting key OSH – issues in Norway on the agenda. This year there is a great deal of activity on chemicals related to EU OSHA (focal points) We have therefore chosen not to focus specifically on this at the conference this year, but it will be included in some of the presentations. Every year we have young employees as a recurring theme with different angles.

Usually, LO has ordered material from the ILO. This year, our information material from LO, some of the LO’s association, AOF and a publisher of working life literature, will be information in Norwegian on various topics related to work and health and also the report on “Safety and health at the heart of the future of Work”.

There will be journalists present from the media related to the Norwegian trade union movement (LO Aktuelt) and from an HSE magazine.

Kind regards,

Wenche Thomsen
Fagsjef/Chief OSH Adviser
+4799647432
wenche.irene.thomsen@lo.no

Landsorganisasjonen i Norge/Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions
Forhandlings- og HMS avdelingen/Collective Bargaining and Health and Safety Departement
www.lo.no

Russia: Timber workers send a message of solidarity for Workers’ Memorial Day

The Russian Timber Workers Union has sent 28 April solidarity messages in English, French, Spanish and German. See the YouTube video and read the messages below:

IWMD : Russian Timber Workers’ Union

Also see: Safe and Decent Work for Russian Wood and Forestry Workers

(English)

Hello, my name is Julia Vertigelova. I work as Health and Safety instructor at the biggest wood and paper factory in Russia. I join the call to stand up for safe work. I believe that the main task of my work and work of my colleagues is to save workers’ lives. We have to teach people how to think about their safety, we need to help people to have safe working conditions. And our main goal is to do everything we can to make people come back home after their work with no injuries and professional diseases.

Good Day, I am Alexander Smirnov, president of the Komi Republic regional branch of Russian Timber Workers Union. I stand up for safe work. We have to remember about safe work on International Workers’ Memorial Day.

Hello, my name is Olga Lebezkina. I am the president of the IKEA Industry company level trade union.  I stand up for the safe work and remember workers on International Workers’ Memorial Day.

Dear colleagues and friends, my name is Denis Zhuravlev, I am the president of Russian Timber Workers Union. On behalf of our member I am saying that we all stand up for safe work. We fully support BWI Campaign for safe work.

(Français)

Bonjour, je m’appelle Julia Vertigelova. Je suis formatrice en sécurité et santé au travail au sein de la plus grande usine russe de bois et de papier. Je m’associe à l’appel en faveur de la sécurité au travail. Ma mission principale, ainsi que celle de mes collègues, est de sauver la vie des travailleurs. Nous devons leur apprendre à assurer leur sécurité et les aider à obtenir des conditions de travail sûres. Et notre objectif prioritaire est de tout faire pour qu’ils regagnent leur domicile, à la fin de la journée, sans blessures ni maladies professionnelles.

Bonjour, je suis Alexander Smirnov, président de l’antenne régionale du Syndicat russe des travailleurs du bois en République de Komi. Je soutiens la sécurité au travail. Nous devons aborder ce thème lors de la Journée mondiale de la sécurité et de la santé au travail (également Journée internationale de commémoration des travailleuses et des travailleurs morts ou blessés au travail).

Bonjour, je m’appelle Olga Lebezkina. Je suis présidente du syndicat d’entreprise d’IKEA. Je me joins à la lutte pour la sécurité au travail et souhaite que l’on honore les travailleurs lors de la Journée mondiale de la sécurité et de la santé au travail.

Chers collègues et amis, je suis Denis Zhuravlev, président du Syndicat russe des travailleurs du bois. Au nom de tous nos membres, je me joins à la lutte pour la sécurité au travail. Nous appuyons sans réserve la campagne de l’IBB en faveur de la sécurité au travail.

(Español)

Hola, mi nombre es Julia Vertigelova. Trabajo como instructora de seguridad y salud ocupacional en la mayor fábrica de papel y productos de madera de Rusia. Me uno al llamamiento en favor de la defensa de la seguridad en el trabajo. Tengo la convicción de que la principal tarea de mi trabajo y el de mis compañeros es salvar la vida de los trabajadores. Debemos enseñar a la gente a pensar en su seguridad y ayudarla a trabajar en condiciones seguras. Nuestro principal objetivo es hacer todo lo posible para que, al finalizar la jornada laboral, los trabajadores vuelvan a casa sin lesiones ni enfermedades profesionales.

Buenos días, soy Alexander Smirnov, presidente de la delegación regional del Sindicato Ruso de Trabajadores de la Madera en la República de Komi. Quiero abogar por la seguridad en el trabajo. En el Día Internacional en Memoria de los Trabajadores Fallecidos y Heridos, tenemos el deber de tener presente la seguridad en el trabajo.

Hola, me llamo Olga Lebezkina. Soy la presidenta del sindicato de trabajadores de IKEA Industry. Deseo alzar mi voz en favor de la seguridad en el trabajo y recordar a los trabajadores en el Día Internacional en Memoria de los Trabajadores Fallecidos y Heridos.

Estimados compañeros y amigos, mi nombre es Denis Zhuravlev, y soy el presidente del Sindicato Ruso de Trabajadores de la Madera. En nombre de nuestros miembros, quiero manifestar nuestro compromiso con la seguridad en el trabajo. Apoyamos plenamente la campaña de la Internacional de Trabajadores de la Construcción y la Madera (ICM).

(Deutsch)

Hallo, mein Name ist Julia Vertigelova. Ich arbeite als Arbeitsschutz-Ausbilderin bei Russlands größtem Holz- und Papierwerk. Auch ich schließe mich der Forderung nach sicheren Arbeitsbedingungen an. Nach meiner Überzeugung besteht der Kern meiner Aufgabe und der meiner Fachkolleginnen und -kollegen darin, Sicherheit und Gesundheit von Leib und Leben der Arbeitnehmer zu schützen. Wir müssen – ganz allgemein – ein stärkeres Bewusstsein für das Thema Sicherheit am Arbeitsplatz schaffen und parallel dazu der gesamten Arbeitnehmerschaft zu sicheren Arbeitsbedingungen verhelfen. Hauptziel und -zweck unserer Tätigkeit ist es, alles in unserer Macht Stehende zu tun, um sicherzustellen, dass jeder Mann und jede Frau am Ende des Arbeitstages wohlbehalten – das heißt ohne Verletzungen und ohne berufsbedingte Erkrankungen – nach Hause kommt.

Guten Tag, ich bin Alexander Smirnov, Präsident der Regionalzweigstelle der Russischen Holzarbeitergewerkschaft für die Republik Komi. Ich setze mich für Sicherheit am Arbeitsplatz ein. Besonders der Internationale Arbeitergedenktag gibt Anlass, das Thema Arbeitsschutz einmal mehr in den Vordergrund zu stellen.

Hi, mein Name ist Olga Lebezkina. Ich bin Vorsitzende der Gewerkschaft auf Unternehmensebene bei IKEA Industry. Ich unterstütze sichere Arbeitsbedingungen und spreche mich nicht nur am Internationalen Arbeitergedenktag dafür aus.

Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, liebe Freunde, mein Name ist Denis Zhuravlev, ich bin Präsident der Russischen Holzarbeitergewerkschaft. Im Namen unserer Mitglieder darf ich sagen, dass wir alle für sichere Arbeitsbedingungen eintreten. Wir unterstützen die BHI-Kampagne für Sicherheit und Gesundheit am Arbeitsplatz in jeder Beziehung.

https://www.bwint.org/cms/news-72/iwmd-russian-timber-workers-union-1353

USA: Worksafe 28 April commemoration event in Oakland, CA

Mourn for the Dead, Fight for the Living!

Join Worksafe on Friday, April 26th in Downtown Oakland to observe Workers Memorial Day 2019.

Workers Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for workers who have been killed and injured on the job. It is observed around the world by surviving family members, friends, coworkers, and health and safety activists in workplaces and communities.

Let’s gather together in Oscar Grant / Frank Ogawa Plaza to honor fallen workers and recommit ourselves to the struggle for safe and healthy work in California.

Program:

12 PM – 12:10 PM – Remarks
12:10-12:30 P.M. – Chief Juliann Sum, Cal/OSHA
12:20 PM – 1 PM – Reading of Names

Lunch will not be provided, but feel free to bring your own or support local restaurants.

Please RSVP and help spread the word in your networks by sharing this link: http://bit.ly/2019WMD

 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/workers-memorial-day-2019-tickets-59615240790

USA: Heat campaign toolkit for Workers’ Memorial Week

HomePublic Citizen, the US public interest advocacy organisation, has published a Heat Campaign toolkit for Workers’ Memorial Week (#iwmd19 / #workerssmemorialweek) that includes graphics, sample Tweets, hashtags, handles, links and a sample letter. You can view the kit below and also download it here.

Heat Campaign Toolkit for Workers Memorial Week

Campaign Background

Excessive heat exposure endangers outdoor and indoor workers, as well as vulnerable populations. Heat is the leading weather-related killer, and it’s intensifying with climate change. Despite these warnings, the U.S. does not require workplace heat protections.

This #WorkersMemorialWeek, we’re raising awareness around workers who have died or suffered on the job as a result of dangerous heat, and we’re pushing for action and policy change to prevent future fatalities. Because a safe job is every worker’s right!

Hashtag

#WorkersMemorialWeek
#Calor
#BeatTheHeat

Handles (please add your org’s handle)

@OSHA_DOL
@Public_Citizen
@UFWF
@FarmwrkrJustice
@NationalCOSH

Action Links

Grassroots Petition to OSHA: http://bit.ly/Protect_Workers
Letter to the Editor Tool: https://bit.ly/2vgcc5J
Alert for FL Heat Legislation: https://bit.ly/2Xw4Hnl

Organizational Sign-On Letter

Add your organization to the following sign-on letter by 2:00 pm ET on 4/26, for OSHA to issue a heat standard for Workers Memorial Week: https://bit.ly/2PpJCIh

Tweets

Heat fatalities can affect everyone exposed to hot temps — from workers laboring in the hot sun to those who lack ventilation indoors. We need a national heat stress standard so employers are required to make worker safety a priority. #WorkersMemorialWeek http://bit.ly/Protect_Workers

18 of the 19 hottest years on record have occurred since 2001. While we desperately need bold action to stop climate change, @OSHA_DOL must move now to protect workers from the dangers of heat stress. #WorkersMemorialWeek https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/02/06/climate/fourth-hottest-year.html

Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the U.S. As greenhouse gas pollution increasingly warms the planet, the toll that heat takes on workers is getting worse. #WorkersMemorialWeek

From 1992 through 2017, exposure to excessive environmental heat killed 815 U.S. workers and seriously injured over 70,000. With accelerating climate change, worker injuries and deaths due to excessive heat exposure are projected to increase in the coming years. #WorkersMemorialWeek

260,000 U.S. workers are at risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths with no standard in place to protect them. This #WorkersMemorialWeek, we’re urging @OSHA_DOL to enact national heat stress protections that would keep our workers safe: http://bit.ly/Protect_Workers

On our current greenhouse gas emissions path, by 2100 nearly the entire southeastern U.S. will experience on average more than 85 deadly heat days per year. @OSHA_DOL must act now to protect workers from dangerous heat exposure. #WorkersMemorialWeek

The current epidemic of heat-related injuries and deaths will worsen in the coming years, as record-breaking summers become the norm. We need action to stop further climate change and protect workers from the temperature rise that’s already locked in. #WorkersMemorialWeek

The solutions to heat-related injuries are common-sense: hydration, shade, and rest breaks. But most employers won’t implement them voluntarily. @OSHA_DOL must enact a national heat stress standard to protect workers in danger. #WorkersMemorialWeek http://bit.ly/Protect_Workers

Heat fatalities can be prevented by access to water, shade and rest breaks. But many employers deny workers these basic needs — causing countless people to needlessly die every summer. Take action this #WorkersMemorialWeek to protect workers: http://bit.ly/Protect_Workers

Graphics

DOWNLOAD ALL GRAPHICS HERE

Shanna Devine
Worker Health and Safety Advocate
Public Citizen | Congress Watch
TEL: +1 202-454-5168
215 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
URL: http://www.citizen.org
Twitter: @safeworkers

Remember the dead, fight like hell for the living