www.balconynewyork.com

4 West 43rd St., Suite 405 | New York, NY 10036 | (212) 219-7777

AND

PRESENTED

SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE

May 6, 2011, more than 100 New York labor and management safety experts participated in a

Safety in the Workplace Conference

presented by BALCONY, LABORPRESS, headed by Neal Tepel, and the Mason Tenders at the Milberg Law Firm in New York City.

BALCONY Director Lou Gordon, forum moderator, introduced the central question of the day: "How does the current anti-regulatory environment impact worker safety?"  

Key speakers included Assembly Member Rory Lancman, Joel Shufro of NYCOSH, John Delgado of Laborers Local 79, Matthew Funk of the Pasternack law firm and John Samuelsen, President of TWU Local 100.

(R-L in photo above).   

[click on the speaker's name above

to go directly to his specific video presentation] 

The discussion focused on the federal OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and state responsibilities, funding issues, inspections of the workplace and finally the fatalities and injuries incurred by workers on the job.

Included in the BALCONY/LABORPRESS program was the
March 16, 2011 Congressional testimony by OSHA Assistant Secretary of Labor David Michaels.

(Click here for the testimony)

Also included in the Safety program was an analysis of workplace injuries compiled by American Rights at Work. (Click here for the analysis)

The Role of New York State in Workplace Safety

Assembly Member Rory Lancman, Chairman of the New York State Subcommittee on Workplace Safety discussed the responsibility of the State Department of Labor in the enforcement of safety laws and the Workers' Compensation Board in the adjudication of workplace injury claims.

The Role of the Federal Government - OSHA in Workplace Safety

Joel Shufro, Executive Director of the New York Committee on Occupational Health and Safety (NYCOSH) presented a comprehensive history of the federal role in workplace safety that focused on the creation of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration in 1971 by the United States Congress and signed by then President Richard Nixon. Shufro elaborated on the role of OSHA in workplace safety and the threat to enforcement as federal budgets are reduced.

Stricter Workplace Safety Laws

Loopholes in federal occupational safety laws routinely put MTA employees at risk,charged Transport Workers Union Local 100 President John Samuelsen charged Samuelsen. He emphasized that safety at the NYC Transit Authority isn't regulated under Federal Railroad Law standards. "The MTA should meet or exceed OSHA standards," said Samuelsen.

During his address, Samuelsen cited specific transit worker fatalities that could have been avoided if the federal government regulated occupational safety at the MTA. The Transport Workers Union Local 100 president said occupational safety bills in Albany and in Washington usually fail to pass due to partisan bickering.

NEED FOR ENFORCEMENT OF SAFETY LAWS

Laborers 79 Business Manager John Delgado reported that in many instances developers who employ non-union workers don't seek medical attention for their employees in an effort to skirt worker's compensation laws. He emphasized that 78% of accidents that result in injury or death take place at non-union construction sites in New York City.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION BENEFITS ARE KEY TO WORKPLACE SAFETY

Matthew Funk a partner at the law firm of Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Staton & Romano, LLP discussed the protections afforded to workers by the New York State Workers' Compensation system. Funk detailed how and when injury claims can be filed.

Lastly, BALCONY Director Gordon opened the forum to questions and statements by members of the audience which included union and business leaders.

SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE
WAS SPONSORED BY

Video Production by  

BALCONY MEMBERS DIRECTORY
(New Spring 2011)

LaborPress.org is New York City's Grand Central Station for the internet union town, providing up to date media coverage in the labor news market. Laborpress also produces, designs, writes and edits high quality publications and web sites.  

For additional information contact Stephanie West at

laborpress.stephanie@gmail.com

or 646-529-8435

BALCONY, the Business and Labor Coalition of New York, represents more than 1,000 New York businesses, labor unions, and trade associations. BALCONY seeks common ground in the public policy debate in New York to spur economic development through the adoption of business/union friendly, socially responsible common sense laws that maintain and improve the quality of life for working New Yorkers. 

BALCONY is a 501C4
Contributions are not tax deductible.

BALCONY NEW YORK
4 West 43rd St., Suite 405, New York, NY 10036
(212) 219-7777
www.balconynewyork.com

Director, Lou Gordon: loug@balconynewyork.com