WHEREAS:

Over 60, 000 AFSCME members are correctional employees, working in the nation's state and local correctional facilities, maintaining the custody and security of criminal offenders in dangerous and volatile conditions; and

WHEREAS:

Correctional employees are confronted with serious health and safety hazards including bloodborne and airborne infectious diseases, indoor air pollution, and lead exposure; and

WHEREAS:

The problems of understaffing and working alone in dangerous situations is increasing in many correctional facilities as management cuts back on labor in order to save money; and

WHEREAS:

Correctional employees in 27 states are not covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue to provide technical assistance, general or specific health and safety training and hold local, regional and national conferences on hazards faced by correctional employees; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals educate their members on health and safety hazards and provide training on infectious diseases, including symptoms, health effects, modes of transmission and safe work procedures; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and locals set up strong health and safety committees and actively seek to negotiate health and safety contract language obligating the employer to provide a workplace free from recognized or suspected hazards, and to provide personal protective equipment in a variety of sizes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME strongly encourage and pursue implementation of inmate screening programs and isolation rooms equipped with special ventilation to curtail the spread of airborne infectious diseases; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME encourage correctional employers to offer, at the employer's expense, the hepatitis B vaccination to employees exposed to blood or potentially infectious body fluids; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME recommend the use of ventilation in indoor firing ranges at the firing point and target area to reduce lead fumes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME actively lobby governmental authorities to develop specific and reasonable staffing levels with proportionate ratios to inmates nationwide; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME support passage of the Comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Act and urge OSHA to issue regulations covering indoor air quality, tuberculosis and understaffing.

SUBMITTED BY:

Ronald C. Alexander, President
Andy J. DiLoreto, Secretary-Treasurer
AFSCME/OCSEA Local 11
Ohio