Related Articles

Safety Message from International President Hill

High fatality rates and dangerous working conditions were the daily routine workers faced in the early days—a situation that led to the formation of the IBEW.

At the root of the IBEW’s mission, since the earliest days, is the demand for better working conditions through the development of acceptable safety standards. Apprenticeship and training programs were established, and, overall, workplace health and safety conditions have improved. Are our safety program statistics at the level we expect them to be? Current occupational injury data should be reviewed.

In the states, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that fatality numbers are going in the wrong direction: 25 more workers died on the job in 2003 than in 2002. Although the fatality rate of 4.0 per 100,000 employees held steady, 5,559 workers were killed at work last year, compared to 5,534 in 2002. These numbers are not satisfactory. It remains vitally important that we act with vigilance and do our part to turn these numbers in the right direction.

The current administration has eroded worker rights, and worker safety is a prime example. Many existing Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) rules and new initiatives have been repealed, weakened or delayed. The president accomplished what he set out to do—now it is up to us to turn things around. For the next four years, we will continue to suffer from this administration’s attacks on organized labor. If left unchallenged, the effects could be devastating.

Legally, safety is the employer’s responsibility. The OSHA Act sets forth the rules for a worker’s entitlement to a workplace free from hazards. We must also remember that every one of us in the IBEW has the responsibility to be the most skilled, productive and safe work force in every industry where IBEW members are employed. The International Office, local unions, and IBEW members must negotiate functional safety committees, upgrade apprentice and training programs, lobby for effective legislation, and most important—work safely.

A new year is before us—let’s make the difference we are chartered to achieve.

Download
Safety Poster

December 2004 IBEW Journal