DOCS members breathe easier
Health and safety committee scores a victory
By DEBORAH A. MILES
Pungent fumes emitted from a floor-stripping product used in state correctional facilities during the past decade have caused respiratory and other serious health problems for many union members who work in these facilities.
But through the efforts of the PEF-Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) Health and Safety Committee, employees should be breathing better air and inhaling less fumes when the floors are stripped in the future.
The improper use of the floorwax remover resulted in dozens of incidents in which staff and inmates reported experiencing negative reactions to the chemicals released during floor stripping.
The reactions included nausea, headaches, chest tightness, skin rash, shortness of breath, wheezing, chronic cough, difficulty sleeping, and irritation of the eyes, nose and throat.
“Our committee provided ample documentation of employees becoming ill from the fumes and proposals to remedy the problem,” said James Gonyo, PEF chair of the committee.
REVIEWING THE POLICY — James Gonyo, PEF/Department of Correctional Services Health and Safety co-chair, meets with Jonathan Rosen, PEF Director of Health and Safety to review the new procedures for floor-stripping in correctional facilities. — Photo by Deborah A.
Miles
Open the windows
In July, DOCS implemented new procedures based on the committee’s recommendations. The agency directed its facilities to plan for proper ventilation when using wax stripper, ensure it’s properly diluted and not mixed with other cleaners that can increase toxic fumes, provide a 72-hour advance notice so employees have time to adjust their work schedules and locations when the stripping is being done, and limit the frequency and area being stripped.
They also developed a written guideline to prevent unhealthy exposures to floor-stripper and assigned a coordinator at each facility to ensure the new procedures are being followed.
“This is an important victory for all PEF members in DOCS, especially asthmatics or others especially sensitive to chemical exposure,” said Jonathan Rosen, PEF director of health and safety. ”The actions of the PEF leaders on the health and safety committee were key to our success.”
One reason this effort took so long was the reluctance of workers to submit written complaints or file grievances for fear of management retaliation, according to Gonyo. He said throughout the 70 DOCS facilities in the state, only a half-dozen people lodged formal complaints, even though hundreds of prison workers suffered side effects from inhaling the chemicals.
Reactions to fumes
“We had one member who was granted permanent disability due to a severe asthmatic reaction and another who was reassigned,” Gonyo said.
“I became so sick, I had to be taken out of the building,” said Migdalia Rodriguez-Martinez. “It got to the point where my lungs couldn’t take it anymore.”
Rodriguez-Martinez, a corrections counselor who worked at Hale Creek annex for alcohol and substance abuse treatment in Johnstown, was transferred to the DOCS central office in Albany because of her severe reaction to the fumes.
The facilities are required to strip the floors twice a year, according to Rodriguez-Martinez, but frequently do it more often, especially during winter and prior to an inspection.
“The problem was they were using the product undiluted combined with little or no ventilation. And, the odor would linger for days,” she said.
“The committee documented the serious negative effects of improper use of the floor-stripper on our members’ health,” Rosen said. “This combined with the excellent cooperation of agency officials has led to significant policy and procedural changes.”
“This is a victory that needed to happen a long time ago,” Rodriguez added. “I just hope they follow the new guidelines.”
PEF leaders on the committee mailed a fact sheet and the new policy to all PEF leaders in DOCS urging them to place the policy on labor-management and health and safety committee agendas to ensure the new procedures will be properly implemented.
The
Communicator October 2004
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