Related Articles

Fall 2005 Safety Caucus Delegation

IBEW Safety Caucus

IBEW members from a variety of backgrounds have formed an advisory group to address one the Brotherhood’s biggest historical priorities: safety.

At twice-yearly meetings scheduled around National Safety Council Labor Division sessions, the IBEW Safety Caucus makes recommendations on mobilizing organization resources to deal with the pressing health and safety issues of the day. With approximately 100 members from every IBEW branch and region (except Canada, although participation by Canadian members is under consideration), the caucus serves as a forum for education, training support and resources. It also helps local union safety and health committees investigate accidents and coordinates with the IBEW Safety Department to promote safety and health as it relates to the industries in which IBEW members work.

Instructor from a fall protection equipment manufacturer demonstrates new equipment.

“Safety is drum­med into every ap­prentice, but we need to do more, especially through training in the safe use of technologically advanced equipment,” said IBEW International President Edwin D. Hill in a speech to the caucus last year. “As we send our journeymen back into training for skills upgrading, we need to make sure that safety is part of their studies. I am a firm believer that the training program is the best vehicle to create a skilled work force and to maintain the necessary knowledge among our journeymen as well.”

Caucus activities are managed and conducted by IBEW members. Delegates elect a chairman, vice chairman and secretary for three-year terms. Columbus, Ohio, Local 683 member Twana Perry is chairman, Minneapolis Local 292 member John Hall is vice chairman, and Rockford, Illinois Local 364 member Todd Kindred is secretary. Former Chairman Lou Walters, Seattle Local 77, helped steer the group since its inception.

This year training activities included topics as varied as fall protection, personal protective grounding, chain saw safety and proper use of the Web-based IBEW Form 173—“Report of Occupational Injury, Illness or Fatality.” The caucus has also heard a hazard response over­view presented by the Center to Protect Workers’ Rights. Legislative and regulatory activity related to occupational safety and health issues are also always on the agenda, presented by IBEW Safety and Health Department Director Jim Tomaseski. Another subject of interest to delegates is the National Fire Protection Association 70E standard for electrical safety in the workplace, updated in 2004.

Today the caucus is mainly composed of members from the construction and utility branches, but caucus delegates hope to attract members from other industries and offer industry-specific break-out sessions at upcoming meetings. The IBEW Safety Caucus will meet again next spring. Details will appear on the IBEW Web site at www.ibew.org and local unions will receive notification from the International Office.