The Iron Workers Safety and Health Department, as the name indicates, works to protect the health and safety of IABSORIW members on the job. The Department is responsible for monitoring jobsite safety, compliance with job safety guidelines, supervising safety training, and providing representation of the Iron Worker's interests to the Building and Construction Trades Department Safety Committee. The Iron Workers Safety and Health Department acts as a liaison between the Government, the International Union, local unions, and individual ironworkers, and also provides advocacy on workers' health and safety issues.
This Department monitors OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) guidelines to ensure that appropriate and effective safety and health regulations are being enacted. In conjunction with the National Training Fund, the Safety and Health Department manages the creation of safety training programs and the subsequent presentation to membership at the local level.
One of the Department's primary duties is the tracking of ironworking jobsite accidents and fatalities. This function, while certainly not pleasant, is absolutely essential. The information collected provides hard data regarding the effectiveness of OSHA safety guidelines and procedures, as well as information on which to base future policy recommendations.
The Safety and Health Department has also taken on the management and implementation of certification programs for MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) training at the Local level. This is a coordinated effort between the International Union, the individual mines, Local Unions, and MSHA.
The Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program is run by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). An HHE is an evaluation of possible health hazards at a workplace. Employers, employees, or their union representatives can request an HHE from NIOSH if they have concerns about health hazards at work. NIOSH responds to HHE requests in writing, by phone discussions, or by visiting the workplace to evaluate whether a health hazard to employees caused by exposure to hazardous materials or conditions exist.
