CWA/AT&T Mobility Occupational Safety and Health Meeting

Thursday, June 9, 2011
Sheraton Hotel, Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport
Dallas, Texas

Agenda

• Review of 2010 Injury/Illness Data
• Heat Stress
• Workplace Violence at Retail Stores
• Working with Cellular Equipment and Potential Exposure to Radiofrequency Radiation
• Developing and Implementing a Company Emergency Response Program
• Future Meetings

• Participants

David LeGrande and Paul Boris welcomed all participants to the second contractual meeting of the CWA/AT&T Mobility Safety and Health Committee. All participants introduced themselves. Scott Simmons noted he was pleased to join his first meeting of the committee.

David LeGrande distributed the meeting agenda asking if anyone recommended changes/additions. Receiving no such recommendations, David opened the meeting by asking for a presentation of the 2010 AT&T Mobility injury and illness data.

• Review of Company 2010 Injury and Illness Data-

Don Harris distributed and discussed injury/illness incidence data noting the relatively low number of total cases. Most frequently reported were:

• Musculoskeletal cases - 242 - (including carpal tunnel syndrome, synovitis, tenosynovitis, Raynaud’s Syndrome, and cumulative trauma disorders other than upper extremity, bursitis, and strains and sprains);
• Followed by bruises, contusions and crushing incidents - 71;
• Lacerations and cuts - 61; and
• Fractures - 34.
• Other cases with lower case rates included punctures - 13; torn ligament and cartilage - 11; loss of consciousness, dizziness, and disorientation - 9; cumulative emotional/psychological reaction and emotional reaction to one-time traumatic incident - 6 each; dislocations, brain concussions, herniated disc, and all other illnesses - 5 each; Inflammation/irritation of eyes - 3; burns, chemicals (other), and gunshot wound - 2 each; and residential chemicals, heat stress, air contaminants, and unclassified injury - 1 each.

After participant discussion of the injury/illness case data, Don Harris mentioned the greatest number of injury/illness cases came from customer call center worksites. During this discussion, participants agreed it would be useful if the data could be made available by occupation and work location. Don agreed to provide a demonstration of the functions of the pivot tables and other capabilities of the report via a live meeting using net meeting, AT&T Connect or other similar tool if necessary. The electronic format of the injury and illness reports provided by EH&S actually allow the data to be sorted and filtered by workgroup and geography. After review of this data, David LeGrande suggested such information might be used to conduct agreed-upon preventive pilot investigations (e.g., possibly within call center location(s).

Specific to ergonomics, David LeGrande asked the status of the (California) “retail store- chair” case. Paul Boris indicated he has not been involved with this case and was not sure of the status.

Additional discussion centered around existing job aids/education materials on computer workplace ergonomics and the best method to have workers read and understand the contents. Holly Storey indicated the tools do not receive adequate attention (principally, due to time pressures). Thus, workers may not understand/be fullu aware of the topics presented in the materials. She suggested the use of workplace team meetings to ensure members become more aware of important safety and health issues. It was agreed this topic might be addressed in a pilot activity. This work might also focus upon recordkeeping issues. Further discussion focused upon turning workplace ergonomics into the win-win issue that it should be. Educational efforts might emphasize cooperative work between the Company and the Union.

• Heat Stress-

David LeGrande opened the discussion re. heat stress issues and concerns noting the Union has experienced two fatalities during the last several years as well as many less severe heat stress health problems. Citing examples- particularly among less senior members such as premise and U-Verse technicians, he indicated CWA initiated a national heat stress educational and injury/illness identification campaign during 2010 (David distributed CWA fact Sheet “Extreme Heat” and report “Burning Issues” to participants). This effort will continue through 2011 with emphasis upon education, identification of health problems and work practices, and translation of this information into protective collective bargaining language.

Don Harris discussed the Company’s heat stress injury and illness plan and distributed educational materials/job aids which are provided to technicians. He emphasized the importance of implementing the program- an effort that has prevented Company employee heat stress health problems. As noted by Joe Sisson, additional emphasis might be placed upon ensuring workers and managers are placing the necessary importance upon this issue. Don Harris indicated the Company places considerable emphasis upon heat stress through periodic compliance reviews as conducted by Company personnel. Also, John Berry mentioned heat stress was featured in the Company’s June, 2011 newsletter.

• Workplace Violence-

David LeGrande presented the union’s concerns re. workplace violence in Company retail stores. During the first part of 2010, an AT&T Mobility employee working in the New York Mills, New York retail store was shot by an assailant, hospitalized, and treated for physical and psychological health problems. Following this incident, CWA Local 1126 worked with the Company to ensure additional necessary security measures were taken (e.g., security equipment and personnel, door viewfinders, and training). In addition, the Company agreed to work with the Union to ensure other retail store workers were provided similar/the same protections.

Noting more recent cases of workplace violence at Company retail stores, David asked about the status of the Company’s efforts. Don Harris said the Company’s Environmental Health and Safety Department activities do not cover/include workplace violence, rather this topic is the responsibility of Company Security.

David asked how can we make sure Security is providing safe and healthful working conditions? In that regard, he indicated CWA would be willing to work with the Company to assist in educating retail store workers. Paul Boris indicated he would check into this matter and report back. During further discussion, John Berry indicated Company training on “Street Smarts” is provided and available by Asset Protection. Specific to retail stores located in high crime areas, Holley Sorey suggested mangers might ride with technicians and draft a working conditions report providing this to security for necessary action. This work could be conducted cooperatively between the Company and Union with the idea of providing safe working conditions and increased worker morale.

• Radiofrequency Radiation-

David LeGrande raised the issue of work with/within close proximity to cellular antenna equipment and potential exposure to radiofrequency radiation. He suggested the Company and Union work together in identifying representative work locations and conducting radio frequency radiation monitoring. Although technicians rarely perform work in a manner which involves exposure, given the importance of this issue, meeting participants agreed such work would be of extreme value. For example, the data would establish a baseline for emissions/potential exposure as well as demonstrate to technicians the degree of harm. Pointing out training is the most critical element of a radiofrequency radiation program, the Company and Union agreed to follow-up on this issue.

• Developing and Implementing a Company Emergency Response Program-

David LeGrande opened this discussion expressing local union concerns raised during the recent Joplin, Missouri tornadoes. There was much confusion in adequately responding to this tragedy. Paul Boris indicated the Company had developed a comprehensive emergency response program following the Hurricane Katrina event. It was his understanding this program was implemented in Joplin. He said he would check on the status of the program and provide this information to the Union and Company committee members.

• Additional Issues-

Joe Sisson raised concerns re. technicians not being provided 188 Foreign Voltage Detectors. Don Harris and John Berry indicated all technicians are/should be provided with such equipment and would follow-up to make sure this was happening.

• Future Meetings-

Paul Boris and David LeGrande opened the discussion re. the frequency and method of conducting future meetings. Given the financial issues facing the Company and Union, suggestions were discussed re. conducting the two face-to-face and two supplementary telephone conference call meetings via video and/or telephone conference calls. Paul and David agreed to continue this discussion with the understanding of maintaining the continuity of the meetings and activities.

• Date of the Next AT&T Mobility/CWA Occupational Safety and Health Committee Meeting-

The next meeting was scheduled for November 1, 2011.