Public Employee Press

Workplace violence
DC 37 pushes for state regulations

DC 37 activists and staff recently urged the state Dept. of Labor to adopt a comprehensive workplace violence prevention program for public employees.

After issuing proposed regulations for the prevention program last year, the DOL sought responses Jan. 20 and Feb. 3 at hearings in Albany. Representatives from locals 420, 371, 1549 and DC 37 testified, marshaling evidence about the critical need for the program.

“Our members know the level of violence,” said Carl Jones, health and safety coordinator of Municipal Hospital Workers Local 420, whose members work in frontline positions throughout the city’s public hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. “According to the U.S. Labor Dept., health care and social service workers are five times more likely to be victims of a violent assault than other workers.”

Principal Program Coordinator Guille Mejia of DC 37’s Safety and Health Dept. reminded state officials that, “Too often, doing their jobs can put city workers at risk for violence. After many injuries and tragically, deaths, and many years of voicing our concerns, we are now close to implementing regulations for a comprehensive prevention program.”

Mejia voiced concerns about omissions in the regulations, such as the failure to require counseling for victims of workplace violence. As a model, she pointed to the bloodborne pathogen standard, which directs employers to provide counseling for employees exposed to potentially contaminated blood or bodily fluids.

She also pointed out that the regulation does not address the role of domestic violence, which “often intrudes into the workplace.” She said employers should be required to work with unions in drafting workplace violence prevention plans. “This input is essential,” said Mejia.

Since every day that goes by without a regulation leaves members at risk, DC 37 supports the adoption of the regulations as soon as possible and plans to address the omissions through legislation. “We look forward to the expeditious promulgation of the Public Employee Workplace Violence Prevention regulation and to implementing effective programs throughout the city,” said Mejia.

Other DC 37 representatives who participated in the hearings included Social Service Employees Union Local 371 Health and Safety Rep Deborah Williams and Ron Arnero, Kenny Mulligan and Alvin Williams for Local 1549 and the Clerical Division.