Health & Safety Win Regarding COVID-19
On June 12th, 2020, together with SEIU 1199, CWA 1168 requested the following information from Kaleida Administration:
- Manufacturer, make, and model of all PPE in use and how much was in stock
- The rate at which the supplies were being used and the anticipated rate for the summer months
- If PPE was being used in “crisis mode” and the definition of “crisis mode”
- The policy on the Reuse and Extended use of N95s and additional PPE, also the criteria used to determine the length of time for the policy to be continued
- The procedure for getting more PPE; what manufacturers were being asked and what the goal number was for PPE items for a stockpile
- The OSHA 300 Logs of Work-related- Injuries and Illnesses for Jan 2020 through May 31st, 2020.
No information was provided to either of the Unions regarding this information request.
Due to the OSHA 300 Logs not being provided, a charge was filed with OSHA on October 12th, 2020 “Notice of Alleged Safety or Health Hazards” due to Kaleida’s failure to provide the information requested.
December 9th, 2020 OSHA responded that Kaleida take appropriate action and establish a process for assessing the work-relatedness of COVID-19 cases among employees.
After the full OSHA investigation, on May 14th, 2021, we received notice that Kaleida Health has taken appropriate action and that a settlement was reached regarding the OSHA complaint.
What this means for you-
If you believe that you contracted COVID-19 while at work March of 2020 through present:
- Contact employee health to report the date
- Contact CWA 1168 Attorneys Lipsitz, Green, and Scime at 716-849-1313
