Doc. No. 7
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
HEALTH AND SAFETY
The Corporation recognizes its obligation to provide a safe and healthful working environment for employees. We are committed to protecting the Health and Safety of each employee as the overriding priority of this corporation. The implementation of actions to help our employees realize a healthy, injury-free environment is a leadership responsibility. The Union will cooperate in the Corporation’s maintaining and improving a safe and healthful working environment. The parties agree to use their best efforts jointly to achieve these objectives:
I. The Corporation agrees to:
a. Provide the necessary or required personal protective equipment, devices and clothing at no cost to employees. Problems in this regard will be worked out locally.
b. Provide equipment for measuring noise, air contaminants, and air flow, including smoke tubes, which will be available for use by the representatives of the Local Joint Health and Safety Committees, established pursuant to Section III hereof. Industrial hygiene monitoring equipment authorized by the National Joint Committee will be available as requested for use by the representatives of the Local Joint Health and Safety Committees.
c. Provide training for members of such Local Joint Health and Safety Committees, and appropriate education and training in health and safety for all employees.
d. Disclose, to the co-chairs of the National Joint Committee, the identity of chemicals or materials to which employees are exposed, including any information regarding remedies and antidotes for such chemicals. Information contained in each such disclosure shall remain the property of General Motors Corporation and will not be released without the expressed written permission of the Corporation.
e. Provide competent staff and medical facilities adequate to implement its obligation as outlined in (f) below. In addition, the Corporate Medical Director will provide the guidelines necessary to implement the Voluntary Emergency Response Team.
f. Provide to employees who are exposed to potentially toxic agents or toxic materials, at no cost to them, those medical services, physical examinations and other appropriate tests including audiometric examinations, lung function tests, and appropriate medical surveillance as identified by the National Joint Committee on Health and Safety at a frequency and extent necessary to determine whether the health of such employees is being adversely affected. Also, to provide the specific tests required for employees in jobs with special physical requirements.
Provide to each employee upon request a written report of the results of such examinations or tests which are related to occupational exposure. These results as well as those instances where it is determined that an employee has had a personal exposure exceeding the permissible levels as set forth in 29CFR-1910.1000, Air Contaminants, will be reviewed with the employee by the plant medical department prior to their release. Upon the employee’s written request, copies of such information will be forwarded to the employee’s personal physician. Problems regarding this procedure should be brought to the attention of Management.
In addition, in those instances where a breathing zone air sample is collected the employee will be notified of the results which will be entered on the employee’s medical records.
g. Utilize the UAW-GM Health and Safety Center to coordinate requests from Plant Management, the Local Shop Committee, the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee, or the National Joint Committee for plant surveys. Reports generated from such surveys will be reviewed by the National Joint Committee.
h. Provide access, upon reasonable notice, to all Corporation plants and locations to International Union health and safety representatives. Upon request, reports on such surveys will be provided to the Corporation.
i. Arrange for the UAW-GM Health and Safety Center to compile OSHA “Summary of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses” as it is now constituted, along with the total employee hours worked and incidence rate for each plant for the comparable period. Such information will be provided to the National Joint Committee.
j. Direct Local Management and Local Joint Health and Safety Committees to provide prompt notification of fatalities, serious accidents or incidents including chemical spills, having potential for serious injuries or illnesses to the National Joint Committee. After making appropriate arrangements, a prompt investigation may be made by a team from the UAW-GM Health and Safety Center in accordance with the “Special Review Board” procedure.
II. The National Joint Committee on Health and Safety has four (4) representatives of the International Union and four (4) representatives of the Corporation. Each party will appoint at least one (1) member who has professional training in industrial hygiene or safety. This National Joint Committee shall:
a. Meet at least quarterly at mutually agreeable times and places. A summary listing of the items discussed at the meetings will be provided.
b. Review the Corporation’s safety and health programs and make timely recommendations.
c. Develop an appropriate training program to be established for Union members of the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee. Annual training programs agreed to by the National Joint Committee will be provided to the Local Joint Health and Safety Committees so that they may perform their functions satisfactorily. In addition, they will receive specialized training appropriate to the operations in their respective units. The National Joint Committee will be provided the opportunity to review, approve and participate in such training or instruction programs.
d. Develop guidelines for employee training and education.
e. Review and analyze federal, state or local standards or regulations which affect the health and safety programs within the Corporation.
f. Review problems concerning serious or unusual situations affecting plant health and safety and make timely recommendations.
g. Review and analyze the health and safety data for all plants that the Corporation is now required to compile on OSHA “Summary of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses” and Form 200S as they are now constituted.
h. Receive and deal with matters referred to them by Local Joint Health and Safety Committees. Reports, studies, etc., may be submitted to the National Joint Committee. The Local Joint Health and Safety Committees may request the National Joint Committee to evaluate and/or interpret the reports, studies, etc. The National Joint Committee will normally respond within thirty (30) days from receipt of such request.
III. A Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will be established in each bargaining unit.
Each such Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will consist of one (1) representative appointed by the Corporation and the representative(s) appointed by the Director of the Union’s General Motors Department. The Union member(s) shall serve an indefinite term. The Union member(s) will receive, without personal cost, adequate and necessary training, to enable the effective performance of assigned functions.
Health and safety functions, at plants where there are no provisions for a Health and Safety Representative, may be performed by the Chairperson of the Shop Committee in addition to the other functions of a Committeeperson.
Local Joint Health and Safety Committees that have members on different shifts in accordance with Document 46 may have such members attend mutually agreed upon meetings. The Local Parties will allow the alternates for such members to handle current Health and Safety issues arising during the absence caused by the regular member’s attendance at such meetings.
In the event that a Local Union Health and Safety Representative is absent for one day or more, including attendance at the annual joint training conference, such representative will be replaced by an employee who has been designated as the alternate by the International Union. As soon as practical following the effective date of this Agreement, the Vice President and Director of the General Motors Department of the International Union shall provide to the Corporation the names of the employees so designated.
The Local Joint Health and Safety Committees shall:
a. Meet at least once each month at a mutually agreeable time and place to review health and safety conditions within the plant and make such recommendations in this regard as they deem necessary or desirable. In those locations where an Industrial Hygiene Technician has been appointed, that individual will attend the regular monthly meeting. The Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will coordinate the activities of all appointed safety personnel at its plant (e.g., Industrial Hygiene Technicians, Ergonomic Technicians, etc.). Periodically the Local Health and Safety Committee will review the associated functions performed by International and local appointees (e.g., Industrial Hygiene Technicians, Ergonomic Technicians, etc.) to ensure effective utilization of human resources and eliminate duplication of assignments. Discussion should include concerns from all areas of health and safety brought to the attention of the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee.
b. Make a health and safety observation tour once each two weeks. Prior to such observation tours, a review may be made of OSHA Form 200 accident experience. Investigate promptly major accidents as defined by the National Joint Committee. Receive prompt notification of any employee fatalities or serious accidents resulting from work-related injuries. When such events occur during the 2nd or 3rd shift, the Management member of the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will notify the Union member, inform the representative of the facts, and arrange upon request, for the representative to enter the plant and investigate such events.
c. Be informed in advance, when possible, and have the opportunity to accompany Federal and State OSHA Governmental Health and Safety inspectors on compliance inspections. Accompany International Union, Corporate or professional Health and Safety consultants retained by the Corporation, including insurance inspectors, on regular surveys and those surveys requested by the Union. A copy of such reports will be provided, upon request, to the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee regarding alleged violations of applicable local, state or federal code or standard violation. The parties acknowledge that information contained in such surveys may be inaccurate or unfounded.
Additionally, General Motors will notify the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee whenever a plant contracts for Industrial Hygiene or related services concerning in-the-plant environmental conditions where there are reasonable concerns the conditions are having an adverse health impact on employees.
Copies of any reports received from these surveys will be provided to the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee. Copies of reports will be forwarded to the co-chairs of the National Joint Committee by the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee.
Reports and/or results of such surveys shall be for the use of the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee or the National Joint Committee.
Information contained therein shall remain the property of General Motors Corporation and will not be released without the expressed written permission of the Corporation. Advance arrangements should be made to permit participation in such surveys.
The Union does not waive any rights provided by federal or state law by such accompaniment.
d. Review lost time accidents and other major accidents, as defined by the National Joint Committee which occur in the work place and do not result in lost time, and also review plant safety reports on such accidents and make any necessary or desirable recommendations.
e. Receive a copy of the plant’s report on OSHA “Summary of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses” and the facilities total - employee hours worked and the incidence rate for the comparable period.
f. Review Incident Investigation forms (for example, the GM-212 Accident Report) which would include an analysis to determine the root cause so that appropriate corrective actions can be developed.
g. Review, recommend, approve and participate in local safety education and information programs and employee job related health and safety training.
h. Where necessary, measure noise, air contaminants, and air flow with equipment provided by the Corporation and observe the use of appropriate industrial hygiene and safety testing equipment as required when available in the plant. The Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will be provided copies of photographs taken which relate to health and safety matters in the plant, who will forward them to the co-chairs of the National Joint Committee, if appropriate. Such photographs (including video tapes, etc.) shall be for the confidential use of the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee, the National Joint Committee or the GM Department of the International Union only and shall not be reproduced, published and distributed in any way without the expressed written consent of General Motors Corporation.
i. Be advised of breathing zone air sample results and known physical agents or chemicals to which employees are exposed and protective measures and applicable emergency procedures. In addition, whenever it is determined that an employee has had a personal exposure exceeding the permissible level as set forth in 29CFR-1910.1000, Air Contaminants, and GM occupational Exposure Guidelines, the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee and the National Joint Committee shall be informed in writing of such exposure and the corrective action to be taken.
j. When either member of the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee has a reasonable basis for concluding that a condition involving imminent danger exists, relevant information shall be immediately communicated to the co-committee member so that joint investigation can be carried out immediately and necessary or desirable recommendations made. Upon joint recommendation, the machine or operation will be taken out of service to perform any and all corrective action.
k. The Corporation informed the Union that a management and a union member of the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will become members of the local Plant Hazardous Materials Control Committee. Additionally, the Industrial Hygiene Technician, where established, will be added to the membership of the Hazardous Materials Control Committee.
IV. Complaint Procedure
a. Each District Committeeperson shall conduct a safety observation tour of their district one weekday each week for the purpose of examining health and safety conditions. The Committeeperson may call for the Union representative of the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee to take measurements of noise, air flow and chemical exposure utilizing equipment authorized by the National Joint Committee where appropriate training has been completed. The District Committeeperson will discuss with the supervisor and, failing successful resolution, with higher supervision, any problems which the Committeeperson feels requires correction. Every reasonable effort shall be made to settle the complaint at this point through discussion. If the problem remains unresolved, the Committeeperson may complete a “Health and Safety Complaint Form” in writing, in quadruplicate, which will include a statement of all the facts of the complaint.
b. Complaints by employees concerning health and safety issues may be taken up in accordance with Paragraph (29) of the National Agreement with the understanding, however, that the Committeeperson, if called, will discuss the matter with the supervisor and, failing resolution, with higher supervision. If the matter is still not resolved, the Committeeperson may complete a “Health and Safety Complaint Form,” as described in (a) above.
c. The member of higher supervision will give Management’s answer promptly in writing on the “Complaint Form.” The Committeeperson will give to higher supervision two (2) copies of the “Complaint Form” and transmit one (1) copy to the Union representative of the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee.
d. The Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will within two (2) working days visit the area where the complaint arose and observe the conditions complained of. Within a maximum of three (3) working days from the day of their visit, the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will answer the complaint in writing. A unanimous decision by the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will settle the issue. Failing such unanimous decision, the complaint will be discussed at a special conference attended by the Union and Management members of the Local Committee, the Chairperson of the Shop Committee or the Chairperson’s designated representative, and another member of Management. If the parties are unable to resolve the complaint in the special conference, the complaint will be answered by Local Management within five (5) working days. Thereafter, Paragraph (37) of the National Agreement will be applicable. Thereafter, the regular Grievance Procedure of the National Agreement will be applicable.
e. Health and safety complaints affecting substantial groups of employees may be initiated by the Health and Safety Representative. To do so, the representative shall submit a completed “Health and Safety Complaint Form” to the Chairperson of the Shop Committee. Should the Chairperson of the Shop Committee, upon investigation of the complaint, determine that the complaint has merit, the Chairperson shall sign the form and present it to Management in a special conference as outlined in IV (d) above within five (5) working days.
V. Nothing herein shall be construed to restrict any employee’s rights under Section 502 of the Labor-Management Relations Act, 1947, as amended.
VI. No provision herein will restrict the right of the Chairperson of the Shop Committee, Zone Committeepersons or District Committeepersons to perform their functions under the terms of the National Agreement and locally negotiated agreements.
A Health and Safety Representative, who is appointed by the International Union, shall have only the duties and functions as set forth in this Memorandum and attachments dealing with Health and Safety. Such representative shall be subject to the provisions of the following paragraphs of the National Agreement: Paragraphs (17), (19), (20), (21a), (21c), (22), (22a), (22b), (23), (23a), (24), and (27). Although it is recognized that they are not Zone Committeepersons, during regular hours the Health and Safety Representative shall be paid and shall be scheduled to report at the plant for Health and Safety representation purposes in the same manner as a Zone Committeeperson, with a designated Health and Safety representation area on the representative's shift as the zone. During other than regular hours, the representative will be scheduled to report for Health and Safety representation purposes as follows:
a. During overtime, part-time or temporary layoffs, or inventory when three hundred (300) or more or fifty percent (50%) or more of the people on the representative's shift in the representative's Health and Safety representation area are scheduled to work. In addition, when new equipment and/or processes are being installed or tried out and one hundred (100) or more of the people on the representative's shift in the representative's Health and Safety representation area are scheduled to work.
b. During shutdown for model change, or for plant rearrangement when one hundred (100) or more of the people on the representative's shift in the representative's Health and Safety representation area are working on model change or plant rearrangement work.
During overtime hours, when less than three hundred (300) or less than fifty percent (50%) of the people on the representative's shift in the representative's Health and Safety representation area are scheduled to work, they will not function pursuant to this Memorandum of Understanding. The representative will be scheduled to function as a Health and Safety Representative when work is otherwise available in the representative's equalization group in accordance with Paragraph (71) of the National Agreement.
Finally, nothing in this memorandum of understanding, the attachments hereto, various policy letters on health and safety, or the joint health and safety training materials is intended nor should it be taken to impose upon the International Union, Local Unions, Union Health and Safety Committees, Union Officials, employees or agents, a legal or financial liability for either the health and safety of General Motors employees or for work connected injuries, disabilities, diseases or related losses incurred by employees of General Motors or its subsidiaries or by third parties while on the property of General Motors or its subsidiaries.
[See Doc. 7, Att. A; 46; 74; 76; 102; 105]
[See CSA #19, #22]
ATTACHMENT "A" TO THE
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
HEALTH AND SAFETY
I. INTRODUCTION
General Motors has long recognized that employees are its most important asset. The health and safety of employees is vital for the effective and efficient operation of the Corporation.
In recognition of that principle, the parties agreed to the "Memorandum of Understanding on Health and Safety" during 1973 National Negotiations. The Memorandum has provided an excellent framework for the joint efforts in health and safety within General Motors. Since that time many potential hazards have been reduced or eliminated. The Local Joint Health and Safety Committees provided for in the Memorandum of Understanding are effective at resolving most health and safety concerns within plants. The Corporation and the UAW have worked jointly in an innovative manner to identify and correct potential hazards. The process used to correct potential hazards is the “Hierarchy of Controls”, which describes the process of consideration of higher level controls such as elimination or engineering before administrative procedures or personal protective equipment.
The UAW and General Motors have for many years been proud leaders in adopting and effectuating policies designed to resolve employee health and safety problems and to promote a more healthful and safe work environment. To this end, the UAW and General Motors have entered into the following Memorandum of Understanding which embodies the spirit of the concern shared by the UAW and General Motors for the health and safety of employees. The parties recognize that over the period of the last contract, the UAW an General Motors leadership demonstrated a visible commitment to protecting employees from work place hazards that resulted in a significant reduction in injuries and illnesses. During that period, the Plant Safety Review Boards, which consists of the joint local leadership, and the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee at each location received leadership training in health and safety. This jointly developed course, entitled UAW-GM Health & Safety Leadership Training, covered roles and responsibilities and resulted in the establishment of a leadership driven safety process. This training was subsequently extended to other members of plant leadership including supervisors and committeepersons. The parties have re-committed to jointly work toward a safer workplace through the joint involvement of all employees, and have agreed to develop general awareness training for hourly employees that will include an overview of the health and safety leadership process and associated responsibilities.
The Corporation shall continue to recognize its obligation to provide a safe and healthful working environment for employees during working hours. The Union will cooperate with the Corporation's efforts to fulfill its obligations. To implement and coordinate these principles, a National Joint Health and Safety Committee and Local Joint Health and Safety Committees have been formed, trained and empowered to function dealing with a broad range of the subject matter. Included in this Attachment "A" to the Memorandum of Understanding is a Divisional Review Board process designed to enhance Health and Safety awareness and compliance across General Motors operating divisions, and a Plant Safety Review Board process designed to review the unit’s health and safety performance and monitor the implementation of its health and safety programs. The parties continue to recognize their roles and responsibilities, for assuring that all General Motors employees have safe and healthy work environments. The function of the National and Local Joint Health and Safety Committees should be technically constructive and problem resolution oriented.
In keeping with the purpose and intent of this Memorandum of Understanding and other related health and safety documents contained herein, the Union reaffirmed its commitment to communicate to its members the need to utilize the internal processes available to resolve health and safety matters.
The parties recognize that a joint commitment must be directed toward achieving a safe and healthy workplace. Therefore, it shall be the responsibility of the National Joint Committee, as the mechanism, to guide in an appropriate direction.
The parties have resolved the health and safety issues raised during these negotiations as follows:
II. CORRECTIVE COUNSELING
General Motors recognizes the responsibility of management to provide appropriate training, leadership, counseling and corrective action as necessary to eliminate unsafe practices or conditions from the workplace. Management and the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee shall provide appropriate technical resources, safe practice instructions, support training and counseling. Unsafe practices or conditions that are observed normally require prompt action. Management so notified and/or observing such unsafe practices or conditions should take appropriate action promptly and document such action. The Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will assist in counseling employees regarding audiometric testing, blood lead, pulmonary function testing, etc. Action taken to improve safety performance of employees should be documented and copies retained by the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee on a permanent basis.
III. REVIEW BOARDS
The parties are committed to the continuous improvement of employee health and safety. The joint process developed between the parties has positively impacted this commitment. In order to place further emphasis on the implementation of the joint process and to enhance communication and resolution of health and safety issues throughout the respective divisions/platforms, each operating organization will implement a Divisional Review Board. Each Board will consist of the Divisional Manufacturing Manager, a designated UAW administrative individual assigned to the UAW-GM Health and Safety Center and appropriate support personnel (or other similar arrangement approved by the National Joint Committee). Also, the GMNA Manufacturing Engineering organizations involved with Ergonomics and Design-In activities will also establish a similar Review Board process to summarize current ergonomics status including a review of GM Erg. 1.1 and modifications resulting from the Corporation’s periodic revision of this document. Each board shall meet on a regular basis and consider appropriate health and safety matters within the respective division. To further enhance joint efforts to achieve a healthy and injury-free workplace, the parties agree to establish Plant Safety Review Boards. The Plant Safety Review Board will be co-chaired by the Plant Manager and Shop Chairperson and the membership shall consist of the Local Shop Committee and members of the Plant Manager’s staff. The Plant Safety Review Board will meet monthly to review the unit’s health and safety performance and monitor implementation of its health and safety programs. The Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will attend all Plant Safety Review Board meetings. In addition, the Divisional Review Board and the Plant Safety Review Board may request the National Joint Committee to consider projects, studies, training, and other such matters that pertain to employee health and safety. Also, the National Joint Committee may seek advice from and may consider for implementation the health and safety needs expressed by the Divisional Review Board and the Plant Safety Review Board, including for example, special funding requests, projects, studies, training and other employee health and safety matters.
The parties are committed to preventing fatalities and serious injuries. In furtherance of this interest, a Special Safety and Health "Review Board" meeting will be convened at such time as appropriate upon the request of the National Joint Committee on Health and Safety. The Special Review Board will consist of members of the National Joint Committee on Health and Safety, UAW-GM Department Servicing Representatives, the Local Chairperson, the Plant Manager and the Plant Manager's superior for the affected unit. The Local Joint Health and Safety Committee, and/or other officials or resources, as deemed appropriate by the National Joint Committee, may be invited to attend as observers. The Special Review Board will meet at a site designated by the National Joint Committee on Health and Safety. The National Joint Committee on Health and Safety will provide technical support for the Special Review Board's efforts. The Special Review Board will normally convene one week after notification by the National Joint Committee on Health and Safety, and issue its recommendations within two weeks after concluding its review.
The purpose of the Special Review Board will be to recommend improvements in Safety and Health practices. The primary tool to accomplish this objective will be a complete safety hazard analysis of the job or operation at issue. This analysis will be conducted by a joint team from the UAW-GM Health and Safety Center, especially trained in analytical techniques. An action plan will be developed by the Special Review Board for the Group or Division involved. Senior Operating Management will assess the implementation and progress of the action plan after an appropriate lapse of time as established by the Special Review Board.
IV. FINAL REPORT
A video taped report may be prepared at the request of the Special Review Board. The purpose of the report is to convey factual information and recommendations. The presiding Operating Manager on the Special Review Board will be responsible for arranging to have the interim written and/or video report presented to the next scheduled GM General Manager’s meeting. A final report will be released to the plants following the General Manager’s review.
Any video tape produced as a result of the request by the Special Review Board will be reviewed and approved by the Special Review Board before release to the UAW-GM Leadership or the plants. All such information, video tapes, etc., shall remain the property of General Motors and will not be released without General Motors’ expressed written permission.
V. VIDEO FILMING AND REPORTS
A video camera will be provided for use by the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee. The operation or job site may be videotaped, without comment, for informational purposes. This equipment will be operated under the direction of the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee. Any video tape made of a job or operation will not be copied or released except under the direction of the Special Review Board. A confidential copy edited to remove proprietary and/or other restricted information will be provided to the GM Department of the International Union upon request.
VI. JOINT RESEARCH AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD
The National Joint Committee on Health and Safety will be responsible for evaluating the need for research based on its need, practicability and recognized benefits. The results of research conducted within General Motors facilities will only be used for purposes specifically authorized by the National Joint Committee.
The National Joint Committee will make recommendations for research and requests for funding of specific projects to the Executive Board - Joint Activities. Such recommendations will include details as to facilities, length of project, funding, etc. Upon their agreement and approval, the Executive Board - Joint Activities will allocate and monitor the expenditure of funds. Funding, which will be provided from Joint Health and Safety funds, will not exceed $1.7 million for anticipated Research Projects for the duration of this Agreement.
To assist the National Joint Committee on health related research activities, the Corporation and the UAW have established the Occupational Health Advisory Board. The function of the Board is to advise the National Joint Committee in implementing its research agenda. Board activities and those of its consultants or specialists will be supported by joint funds. The Board will consist of a maximum of five (5) recognized specialists in the fields of occupational health consistent with the research agenda approved by the National Joint Committee. The selection of Board members, terms of office and operating procedures will conform to the Board's charter as established and amended by the National Joint Committee. Additionally, as needed, the National Joint Committee will retain consultants who are recognized specialists in occupational health and safety to function as independent peer reviewers. These consultants will be responsible directly to the National Joint Committee and assist and advise on matters stipulated by the National Joint Committee. The number of consultants and the terms of their retention will be determined by the National Joint Committee and the scope of its research program.
During the term of the 1996 National Agreement, the National Joint Committee will institute, review and, as necessary, revise operating procedures and guidelines for its research program and consultants to improve the research process, and enhance communication pertaining to sponsored research. Included in the guidelines will be core criteria to assess proposed research in terms of its potential impact on worker health and safety, the established need for such study, its practicability, as well as the recognized benefits and probability of success. Where warranted, and based on confirmed results of sponsored studies, the National Joint Committee will devise an action plan and make appropriate recommendations to the Corporation.
VII. ERGONOMICS
General Motors and the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America recognize that cumulative trauma disorders (hereafter “CTDs”) are an occupational illness present in the automobile industry.
The parties also recognize that the control of CTDs is a complex issue often requiring the application of a number of different control methods and technologies that may differ from operation to operation. These include an ergonomically appropriate design, which includes feasible engineering and administrative controls that materially reduce or eliminate job related CTD stressors, employee and supervisory training and education, early recognition of the problem, early and proper medical diagnosis, treatment and care.
General Motors will continue to administer an Ergonomics Program at UAW represented locations utilizing guidelines established between General Motors and the International Union, UAW. General Motors recognizes the accomplishments of the joint ergonomics process and realizes the need for continued efforts to further reduce work-related CTDs. General Motors is committed to progressively pursue improving and enhancing the current process with the UAW. The purpose of the program is to deal cooperatively and constructively with the problem of CTDs in the workplace.
General Motors re-committed to fixing jobs that are identified as presenting a corresponding and documented risk of employee injury. The parties recognize that effective corrective action for jobs which present a documented risk of injury, require the timely use of sound judgement in combination with training, experience, and the following:
· Analysis results from the risk factor checklist and secondary analysis tools (when utilized)
Injury/illness history of both the job and the worker
The history and future plans of the job
Also, seats, chairs, and mats can be considered appropriate solutions to control specific ergonomic risk factors. The Corporation agrees to leave such devices in place when they are provided in accordance with the guidelines in the UAW-GM risk factor checklist.
The Plant Safety Review Board has the responsibility for supervising and supporting the ergonomics program. In plants with 750 or more employees, the parties will establish a Joint Ergonomics Technician Team, which will be comprised of one full-time UAW Technician and one GM Management Technician. In addition, plants with 2,000 or more employees will supplement the Joint Ergonomics Technician Team with a second full-time UAW Technician. In plants with less than 750 employees, the Plant Safety Review Board will identify the resources to be trained to perform the responsibilities of the Joint Ergonomics Technician Team, as needed, and to administer the Ergonomics Program. Plant Safety Review Boards in plants with 4,000 or more employees can petition the National Joint Committee for an additional UAW Technician based on the level of activity required to meet the needs of the Ergonomics Program in the plant. Plants with 750 or more employees that do not experience enough ergonomic activity to sustain the level of resources agreed upon can also petition the National Joint Committee for a variance. Any petition must be based on the level of sustained activity required to meet the requirements of the Ergonomic Program for that plant. In addition, the Joint Ergonomics Technician Team at any location can request additional interim resources when the ergonomic needs of the plant exceed what the Joint Ergonomics Technician Team can be reasonably expected to accomplish in a timely fashion. Such requests will be reviewed and approved by the Plant Safety Review Board. The local parties may refer unresolved issues or concerns to the National Joint Committee.
The National Joint Committee has established selection criteria for the Joint Ergonomics Technicians. The UAW Technicians will be selected from the local workforce and appointed to the position by the Vice President and Director of the General Motors Department of the International Union.
The responsibilities of the Joint Ergonomics Technician Team will include, but not be limited to, the following:
Conducting job analysis
Providing recommendations for corrective action
Monitoring the implementation of job improvements
Conducting review and follow up
Reporting monthly to the Plant Safety Review Board
The Joint Ergonomics Technician Team will coordinate their efforts through the Local Health and Safety Committee, and resources from appropriate departments; e.g., Medical, Engineering, Skilled Trades, and Production, will be made available to support the Joint Ergonomics Technician Team. The Joint Ergonomics Technician Team will report monthly at each Plant Safety Review Board and Local Joint Health and Safety Committee meeting and keep minutes specific to ergonomics. Quarterly reports will be provided to the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee, the Plant Safety Review Board, and the National Joint Committee. The status of the ergonomics process for each facility will be reviewed at the Divisional Review Board meeting with assistance from the Ergonomics Managers. Discussions concerning significant problems or roadblocks will take place at these meetings.
The parties agreed to use the jointly developed process for the use of outside consultants in situations where in-house efforts concerning reduction of job CTDs are not successful. The consultant’s reports will be made available to both the Joint Ergonomics Technician Team and the co-chairs of the National Joint Committee.
Based on the results of the job analysis program, each facility shall implement feasible measures to control CTD risk factors. The Joint Ergonomics Technician Team, in conjunction with input from the workers, engineering, supervision, skilled trades and others, as appropriate, will make recommendations for corrective actions in accordance with the current ergonomics process. Once it is determined through the agreed upon ergonomics process that a job requires correction, recommendations for corrective action will be developed using the results of the jointly agreed upon analysis tools. GM Erg. 1.1 may be referenced for information regarding areas for potential improvement. GM Erg. 1.1 is currently undergoing revision and will undergo future revisions as deemed appropriate by the Corporation. A good-faith effort will be made to accomplish correction of identified CTD hazards at a particular job or work station within six (6) months, after the Joint Ergonomics Technician Team determines that corrective action is required. The parties acknowledge that there may be times when it may take longer than six (6) months to make the proper correction, and those reasons need to be documented. The corrective action will include any combination of the following:
Engineering controls such as design, selection, location and orientation of tools, parts and equipment will be used.
Administrative controls (e.g., job enlargement, job rotation, and appropriate job assignment) will be used in the following manner: as interim abatement measures pending engineering changes, when engineering changes are determined to be insufficient to significantly reduce the CTD stressors, and in those instances when an administrative control is the most effective fix among the possible choices for corrective actions.
The Plant Safety Review Board will monitor the corrective actions being implemented and any unresolved issues or concerns can be referred to the National Joint Committee.
General Motors will inform and instruct affected employees on the controls implemented at their work station and how they are to be used.
The facility will maintain documentation of modification activity, including the job or work station identified for modification, number of employees affected, the nature of modification, the projected completion date, the actual completion date and, where available, the cost of the modification when completed.
Plants and facilities will include “ergonomics” in their planning process and this information will be available to the Joint Ergonomics Technician Team.
General Motors recognizes the importance of identifying and addressing ergonomic issues early in the development process and values the importance of receiving input from plant ergonomic personnel. Feedback from the Joint Ergonomic Technician Team on site specific ergonomic issues and practices will be provided to the design process at the earliest appropriate planning/design stage. This process will be evaluated and reviewed during the life of the agreement. General Motors will take into account existing jointly established analysis methods when developing internal ergonomic design recommendations for advanced product programs.
For the purpose of job analysis, ergonomic consideration will be given to jobs identified through the use of OSHA Injury and Illness records, medically confirmed symptoms questionnaires, Worker Compensation reports, and work-related sickness and accident data. Based upon the above data, a list of jobs requiring analysis will be maintained. The job analysis will be conducted using the UAW-GM Risk Factor Checklist, as a first level screening tool which includes the UAW-GM lift guideline as identified in the Practical Ergonomics Training (PET). The parties agree to utilize objective and scientific methods to analyze the results of a Risk Factor Checklist completed on a job. A good-faith effort will be made to conduct the initial job analysis within two (2) months of when a job is identified as having a potential CTD risk factor. Job analysis and redesign will include input from employees whose jobs are affected. The original risk factor checklist will be used, along with the symptoms questionnaire, to re-evaluate the controls that were implemented, to confirm their effectiveness.
The joint parties will provide appropriate training for the Joint Ergonomics Technician Team as well as other resources responsible for conducting the ergonomics process at each facility. This training may include Practical Ergonomic Training (PET) with the understanding that any person receiving PET may conduct a first level job analysis using the UAW-GM Risk Factor checklist.
The UAW-GM Ergonomics Awareness Education and Training Program will continue to be provided for newly hired employees as well as employees returning to work from an extended leave, who have not received awareness education and training previously.
All newly hired and transferred employees will be informed on the proper use of the tools and equipment required to be used in the performance of their assigned duties.
General Motors shall annually review with employees the application of ergonomic principles to the prevention of CTD on their jobs during regular safety talks.
The parties agree to continue to maintain a Medical Management Program for the early detection, evaluation, and treatment of CTDs at all UAW-GM facilities. The Medical Management Program will provide for common medical practice guidelines for patient evaluation and treatment, follow-up, workplace walk- throughs, and restricted work placement.
General Motors agrees to continue implementation of a CTD Education and Training Program for medical physicians (including contract personnel) that render medical services related to CTD. The introduction in this training includes the effect of poor job design, identifying problem jobs, and potential solutions based on ergonomic stressors. This training also includes medical instruction and early recognition, evaluation, treatment, and prevention of CTDs. All medical personnel (including contract personnel) will receive CTD education and training prior to rendering medical services related to CTD. The Corporate Medical Director and staff will ensure that appropriate CTD training has been provided.
General Motors shall authorize Medical Department personnel to attend education and training conferences that address CTDs, including but not necessarily limited to regional conferences, teleconferences, and Corporate conferences. Where practical, conference proceedings will be videotaped and made available to medical personnel who do not attend the conference.
Employees will be encouraged by the Medical Department staff, line supervision, and Joint Ergonomics Technician Teams to report early signs and symptoms of CTDs to the facility’s Medical Department. Symptoms questionnaire will be conducted once every other year, commencing with calendar year 1999 (with 100% completion during the specified calendar year). Symptoms questionnaires will be conducted by the Medical Department at a location convenient to the workplace, to look for early signs and symptoms of CTDs. An employee with a possible CTD, as indicated in the questionnaire, will be scheduled to report to the facility’s Medical Department. A brief non-invasive examination for the evaluation of the possible CTD will be performed by a physician or nurse. In instances where it has been determined that early signs and symptoms of CTDs are confirmed, the completed symptoms questionnaire and pertinent information from the medical evaluation will be referred to the Joint Ergonomics Technician Team.
General Motors will audit a random sample of medical records, Workers Compensation reports, and work-related sickness and accident data to verify the OSHA 200 log is correct.
The Corporate Medical Director and staff are responsible for the quality, implementation, and compliance by local Medical Departments with the GM Medical Management Program, as it applies to ergonomics. This program will be reviewed periodically for continuous improvement and elimination of unnecessary complexity.
The National Joint Committee will monitor implementation of this process and consider changes for continuous improvement.
VIII. HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING
The UAW-GM Health and Safety Center will continue to develop training programs to enhance employees skills and abilities to perform their jobs in a safe manner. The National Joint Committee will be responsible for identifying employee job-related health and safety education and training needs which are mandated by the government or would be applicable across UAW-GM sites.
It is recognized by the National Joint Committee that the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee should be involved in identification of what health and safety training is needed and appropriate for their particular location, including monthly safety talks.
A local training needs analysis will be conducted at each location. Based on this analysis, a comprehensive training plan consistent with the National Joint Committee’s requirements and local plant initiatives will be developed, and the necessary resources will be identified as part of the business planning process to provide such training. The Plan will specify target audiences, recommendations for completion dates, class size, and methods of delivery. The Plan will be reviewed by the Plant Safety Review Board, their Divisional Review Board, and the National Joint Committee, to ensure consistency with requirements. The Local Joint Health and Safety Committee shall be responsible for monitoring the progress of their local training plan.
The National Joint Committee through the Health and Safety Center will continue to provide training resources for use by the plants. The National Joint Committee will direct and oversee the development and administration of required training courses. Alternatively, the National Joint Committee may approve the use of other commercially developed courses. The National Joint Committee with input from the Divisional and Plant Safety Review Boards will establish the appropriate selection criteria for plant health and safety trainers. Trainers selected will receive necessary instruction in conducting the specific training. Hourly plant trainers will be selected by the Local Union.
Required Health and Safety training will be introduced to plants by top Union Leadership and Corporate Management. The National Joint Committee will monitor and evaluate training programs and make periodic reports to the Center for Human Resources Executive Board. The National Joint Committee encourages the participation of International and Regional Servicing Representatives and members of management in Health and Safety training programs developed by the UAW-GM Health and Safety Center.
IX. Safety Training for Chairpersons of Shop Committees without Designated Health and Safety Representative
The Chairpersons of Shop Committees in locations which do not have a designated Health and Safety Representative, may upon request of the National General Motors Department of the International Union, attend training or instruction programs provided by the Corporation in Section II, Item C of the Memorandum of Understanding - Health and Safety.
In addition, the Corporation advises that employees who wish to enroll in courses of instruction relating to industrial health and safety at approved educational institutions will be eligible to apply for tuition refund for such courses subject to the terms and conditions of the Corporation's Tuition Refund Program.
X. LOCKOUT POLICY
During the current negotiations the UAW and General Motors discussed their mutual concern regarding fatalities and serious injuries to employees, including operators, performing repair, service and maintenance activities on machinery and equipment. The parties agreed that, the Lockout - Energy Control program must be universally implemented and enforced throughout the Corporation. In order to be effective, the parties reaffirmed that the elimination of the potential for injury from hazardous energy is critical to worker safety.
It is the policy of General Motors and endorsed by the UAW that:
Lockout is required where employees may be exposed to hazardous energy which could cause injury. Exposure means that the employee is in a position to be injured by released energy.
Where an employee is exposed to potential injury from expected machine energy/motion, the exposure must be eliminated. If the exposure cannot be eliminated, the machine will be locked out.
Each location will maintain an effective Lockout - Energy Control program which will apply to all employees based on implementation guidelines which have been published by the UAW-GM Health and Safety Center.
XI. MONITORED POWER SYSTEMS
The UAW and General Motors recognize the importance of designing processes and equipment with effective health and safety controls. Therefore, the parties agreed to integrate “Monitored Power Systems” could be integrated into the existing Lockout/Energy Control procedures. The fundamental process begins with performing an initial Task Based Risk Assessment (TaBRA) on any process where “Monitored Power Systems” may be appropriately used.
The use of these systems when integrated into the existing Lockout/Energy Control procedures, can further reduce and eliminate the risk of exposure to employees. However, it is understood by the Parties that Lockout must still be performed whenever the exposure cannot be controlled or eliminated as determined by the Task Based Risk Assessment process.
XII. UAW-GM HEALTH PROMOTION
The UAW-GM jointly appointed Health Promotion Task Force, which includes representatives from the UAW-GM Health and Safety Center, GM Health Care Initiatives, and the GM Department of the UAW International Union Benefit Staff, has developed a health promotion program to be made available for use by all UAW represented employees. This program, to be supported by joint funds to the extent agreed upon by the Executive Board for Joint Activities, is designed to focus on leading factors such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high levels of fat (cholesterol) in the blood, overweight, cessation of tobacco smoking, prevention of the spread of AIDS, and certain other factors, which place employees at high risk of disease. Among other tools developed to accomplish this is a health assessment questionnaire to be completed by participating employees.
Consideration for the inclusion of additional diagnostics such as lung function and/or glucose tolerance will be determined by the National Joint Committee. The National Joint Committee will monitor the program and its usage and make necessary adjustments to encourage participation.
The National parties discussed smoking cessation programs and acknowledged that such programs were beneficial and agreed to review their effectiveness.
XIII. FITNESS CENTERS
The National Joint Committee has developed a fitness center needs analysis for use by UAW-GM facilities in determining the desirability of such a center at their location. In addition, guidelines for fitness center operation have been developed and made available to UAW-GM facilities that operate or are desirous of operating such centers. Facilities that are desirous of operating or are operating such centers need to submit their needs analysis and plan to the National Joint Committee for review to assure it is consistent with the above-referenced guidelines. The local parties may request approval for the use of Local Joint Health and Safety Funds to establish this activity.
XIV. REFUSAL OF HAZARDOUS WORK
A worker, who has a reasonable belief that their work assignment may result in serious physical injury, including illness, should immediately discuss the safety aspects of the work assignment with their supervisor. Failing resolution, the issue may be discussed with the District Committeeperson.
Should technical consultation be requested by the supervisor or committeperson, the local health and safety committee will be notified to respond before further action is taken. In line with the Memorandum of Understanding on Health and Safety, upon joint recommendation, the machine or operation will be taken out of service to perform any and all corrective action.
Failing resolution of the matter, it may be taken up in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on Health and Safety, Section IV, Complaint Procedure.
XV. IMPROVEMENT OF MEDICAL AND INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE SERVICES
The Corporation reserves the right to select and hire appropriate consultants for health and safety services. The Union will be informed in advance and be provided an account based on specific legitimate requests regarding qualifications of the consultant(s) engaged by the Corporation to provide services. The Union may recommend consultants for Management's consideration. Included in such recommendation should be an account of the qualifications of the consultants recommended by the Union.
The Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will be informed regarding the engagement of consultants to provide industrial hygiene and safety services. Qualifications of such consultants will be provided upon request. Reports prepared by such consultants will be provided to the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee, who will provide a copy to the local Industrial Hygiene Technician and the co-chairs of the National Joint Committee. In addition, the Corporation will provide a list of consultants under Corporate contract for industrial hygiene services to the National Joint Committee and update the list when changes are made.
Management in conjunction with the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will assess the need and where required, a facility will develop and implement an air sampling plan. Such plans should be reviewed and implemented on an appropriately scheduled basis. Guidance in the preparation of such plans will be provided by the National Joint Committee. Based upon the air sampling plan, an hourly employee selected by the Vice President and Director of the General Motors Department of the International Union, working under the technical supervision of a GM Industrial Hygienist, may assist in the collection of air samples. Job function key elements of the Industrial Hygiene Technician will be established by the NJC, and the appointee will demonstrate competency by successfully completing required training, determined by the National Joint Committee. Reports of industrial hygiene and noise measurement surveys will be provided to the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee who will provide it to the co-chairs of the National Joint Committee, if appropriate.
XVI. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Environmental information and reports, which are required to be reported to various governmental regulatory agencies, will be made available to the National Joint Committee on a regular basis. For example, this information may include the local Toxic Release Inventory compiled to comply with the Superfund Amendments and Authorization Act, copies of environmental permits and compliance monitoring data. General Motors will notify the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee of significant environmental remediation projects, and spills or releases that are subject to government reporting requirements. The Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will forward such information to the co-chairs of the National Joint Committee.
The co-chairs of the National Joint Committee will be invited as guest members of the GM Environmental Issues team for the purpose of providing them with periodic updates on environmental projects and issues that may affect UAW bargaining unit employees.
XVII. PERIODIC JOINT AUDITS OF PLANTS
The UAW and General Motors agree that a formal system of performance review is an effective means of obtaining and re-enforcing compliance with established Health and Safety requirements. The parties, therefore, agree that the National Joint Committee on Health and Safety will conduct audits to evaluate each facility's health and safety performance. The purpose of the audits is to review the effectiveness of health and safety activities reaching the operations level and being implemented across the workplace. The parties also agree to enhance the current audit process by developing methods to assure the process is consistently applied and delivers measurable results. Additionally, the parties have developed as part of the Divisional Review Board Process a method to address repeat audit findings for identical deficient conditions found on consecutive audits.
The National Joint Committee has established five (5) joint review teams to conduct such reviews.
A plant visit itinerary will be established by the National Joint Committee on Health and Safety which will be scheduled through appropriate channels. The team will meet with the Plant Manager, Shop Committee Chairperson and the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee before beginning the performance review, and have a closing conference upon completion of the on-site review. The finalized report will be prepared and sent to the plant and division within thirty (30) days of the review. Following the finalized report, the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee after review by the Key Four, will reply, addressing issues contained in the report. All such review information shall remain the confidential property of General Motors and will not be released without the expressed written permission of General Motors.
The parties agree that through the joint audit process, they will verify that all facilities have an effective emergency notification system and that it is periodically tested to achieve the best possible response time for the emergency involved.
XVIII. NEW TECHNOLOGY/SPECIFICATIONS
Discussions were held during these negotiations regarding Health and Safety being designed into new equipment, refurbished equipment and/or new processes. GM and the UAW recognize the advantages of designing processes and equipment with effective health and safety controls. The parties established a joint team from the UAW-GM Health and Safety Center, under the direction of the National Joint Committee, to work with the “Design-In Safety” group, established by the Corporation, to address health and safety concerns early in the development process. The main objective to the “Design-In” effort was to develop common design specifications for application across the Corporation, in the manufacturing processes, that incorporated health and safety program requirements. The joint team serves as a technical resource to work with the engineering group to assure that UAW-GM health and safety program requirements are incorporated into the common design specifications.
In an effort to promote improved communications regarding such matters, as early as possible and preferably in the zero phase of the planning in the design process and incorporating lessons learned, as described in Design for Health and Safety Specification (DHS), The parties agree to perform Task Based Risk Assessments (TaBRA), on new equipment and manufacturing systems where locally agreed to and approved by the Plant Safety Review Board. A Task Based Risk Assessment will be performed after the detailed designs are completed on new manufacturing equipment and/or processes. A review of anticipated equipment and/or processes with the shop committee and the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will be held. The local Joint Health and Safety Committee may be required to travel to vendors, plants, or other locations to participate in a Design Review of such equipment or processes as outlined in the DHS specification. The Union will have an opportunity to discuss Health and Safety concerns with Management and make recommendations designed to improve the equipment and/or process, consistent with the common design specifications where they have been established by the “Design-In” activity in the DHS specification. Additionally, TaBRA data will be incorporated at several points or gate reviews early in the decision process as described in the DHS specification.
Reviews will be made at the appropriate level (i.e. Plant Safety Review Board, Divisional Review Board, and National Joint Committee), for new technology/process awareness and to discuss issues and/or concerns. In addition, the National Joint Committee has established a joint team to identify the risks associated with high hazard jobs, with the intent of developing recommendations for evaluating and controlling them. Recommendations from the team will be submitted to the National Joint Committee.
Machinery, equipment or processes will not be released for production without the written approval of the Plant Safety Administrator. Where required, lockout placards will be posted for all applicable energy sources. The parties discussed and recommitted themselves to continue the implementation of the UAW-GM Lockout Placard Guidelines. These placards will continue to be reviewed during a UAW-GM joint audit and should be reviewed during safety observation tours.
The Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will consult with operators, skilled trades, engineers, supervisors or related personnel to ensure that required safeguards provide effective protection and do not interfere with their ability to perform their assigned tasks.
The National Joint Committee will continue to oversee the development of communications material regarding the design-in-safety activity for the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee. This material includes informational material, guidelines, standards, checklists, CD-ROM Disks, and other appropriate material to clearly communicate the common design specifications.
The parties will continue their efforts to integrate health and safety into the 4-Phase Process of the Quality Network, which includes common design specifications, and review of such, into the earliest design phases of any new equipment, process, or operation at the appropriate level.
XIX. CONTROL OF CHEMICAL AND FOUNDRY EXPOSURES
The Corporation will continue to set Occupational Exposure Guidelines (OEG’s) to assess employee exposure to chemicals in General Motors’ facilities, as needed. Guidelines are considered necessary whenever existing OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits do not sufficiently protect the worker, or when there is no applicable OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit. Guidelines will be based on consensus standards and recommendations in addition to available scientific evidence. General Motors will require plants to use OEG’s as the basis for evaluating employee exposures and for taking appropriate corrective or preventive action.
The Corporation will review Guidelines with the National Joint Committee on an annual basis and will discuss proposals for necessary changes. When changes to the existing list are proposed, the National Joint Committee:
Will review the proposed change and its rational.
Will review existing air sampling data to determine the prevailing exposure level to the chemical or substance under consideration.
May seek the advice of the UAW-GM Occupational Health Advisory Board concerning the proposed change.
The Corporation and Union agree to continue to study the potential health effects of cutting fluids for the purpose of establishing an exposure guideline and to determine the need for additional controls where cutting fluids are used. Where warranted, based on confirmed results of the current National Joint Committee-OHAB studies, the National Joint Committee will devise an action plan and make appropriate recommendations to the Corporation regarding coolant exposures. In this regard, General Motors will establish a plan to be reviewed with the National Joint Committee that reduces exposure to coolant aerosol. The plan will include a phased-in approach, as appropriate, across affected plants taking into consideration plant process and/or product changes.
The Joint Parties agree that prior to implementing new chemical technology/processes and changes to current chemical processes, reviews will be made at the appropriate level (i.e. Plant Safety Review Board, Divisional Review Board, and National Joint Committee), for awareness and discussion of safety related issues and/or concerns.
The Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will review process exhaust ventilation systems at facilities where air is recirculated. Such review will be in accordance with guidelines established by the National Joint Committee. Air testing will be performed when requested by the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee. To the extent feasible, these tests will be incorporated in the previously described air sampling plan. Recirculation will not be permitted where employee health and safety cannot be assured.
Medical surveillance for respiratory effects of machining fluids will be offered to employees who regularly work in operations with machining fluids. Such medical surveillance will include a standardized respiratory symptoms questionnaire and pulmonary function test. For personnel newly-assigned to such operations, pre and post shift pulmonary function tests will be done at least once during the first year.
Records of laboratory testing and coolant additions will be maintained and made available to the local joint committee for health and safety upon request.
The National Joint Committee will establish a medical surveillance program for implementation at General Motors iron foundries. This will include an air sampling plan and chemical controls as related to iron foundry operations.
XX. ACCESS TO DATA
As discussed in the 1993 National Negotiations, the Health Information System, (HIS), was initiated in an effort to provide a common method for recording medical visit information in UAW-GM facilities. During the transition to this system, some locations continued to maintain records of medical department visits using systems other than HIS.
During 1996 Negotiations, the Corporation agreed to complete the transition to HIS as the common method for recording medical visit information. The parties agreed to jointly facilitate the full implementation of the system.
During these negotiations, the Joint Parties agreed to enhance the Health Information System (HIS) for the purpose of making it easier for the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee to retrieve and analyze injury/illness data.
Additionally a joint effort through the National Joint Committee on Health and Safety will be initiated to develop standardized reports of information customarily used by the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee in carrying out their responsibilities. The existing reports in HIS, that include the OSHA 200 overrides, will continue to be available for access by the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee.
A joint procedure has been established for review of the quarterly audit results of HIS injury/illness records with the Local Joint Health and Safety committee, by the Medical Department (Administrative joint letter dated June 10, 1999). This medical department audit includes a review of Worker’s Compensation cases as part of the current audit of HIS injury/illness records.
The National Joint Committee has established a represented employees’ mortality registry. Local Joint Health and Safety Committees may request the mortality experience pertaining to the facility they represent from the National Joint Committee. The National Joint Committee will access the Corporate Mortality Registry as it pertains to UAW represented employees for such information.
XXI. Noise Abatement/CONTROL Program
The joint parties recognize that the Corporation has had a comprehensive Hearing Conservation and Noise Control Program for the purpose of continuous incremental improvements in noise reduction. In accordance with this program, each plant is required to have a Noise Control Committee. The Noise Control Committee will consist of representatives from Plant Engineering, Operations, Medical, Industrial Hygiene, Finance, Purchasing, the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee, Industrial Hygiene Technicians (where available), and others as deemed appropriate by the Plant Safety Review Board, such as certain skilled trades personnel, and/or other employees. The Noise Control Committee has the responsibility to seek input from plant personnel in identifying noise sources and potential ways to reduce noise levels.
The Noise Control Committee will:
Ensure audiometric testing is performed for employees exposed above 85 dBA.
Perform an annual evaluation of the noise abatement plan and provide recommendation for improvement to the Plant Safety Review Board.
Ensure reports follow formats specified in GM Hearing Conservation and Noise Program SL 3.0.
Ensure new and rebuilt equipment meet the GM Sound Level Specification SL 1.0.
Identify planned maintenance items related to noise control.
The Corporation will continue to conduct the annual noise exposure survey and provide findings to the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee and summary noise abatement program findings to the National Joint Committee on Health and Safety.
The Noise Control Committee will meet regularly, record minutes, and report quarterly to the Plant Safety Review Board regarding progress on the Noise Abatement Plan. The annual evaluation will include:
Copies of the plant's noise abatement program.
The number of employees that experienced standard threshold shift.
The number of employees that are required to wear hearing protection.
The number of employees at risk of exposure at or above 85 dBA.
The number of employees at risk of exposure above 90 dBA.
XXII. PLANNED MAINTENANCE
The National Joint Committee will jointly identify health and safety requirements to be integrated into the Quality Network “Planned Maintenance Action Strategy.” These requirements will include both those that are regulated by government agencies and those established in UAW-GM programs. The Local Joint Health and Safety Committee will also review the “Planned Maintenance Action Strategy” to assure local regulations and/or practices currently in effect are included.
XXIII. Working Alone
The parties have discussed the Corporation's policy regarding the assignment of employees to tasks in isolated locations or confined entry spaces. The Corporation explained that when work assignments involve situations hazardous to an employee, appropriate precautions will be taken in accordance with safe work practices, including air sampling and ventilation when necessary, communications systems, personal surveillance arrangements and, as required, adequate support personnel. When an employee brings to Management’s attention a situation where they are reasonably concerned that their safety is jeopardized because they are working alone, Management will provide a copy of an applicable written Safe Operating Practice to the employee detailing precautions to take to perform the task safely. If one has not been developed and reviewed, Management will give the employee job instructions to perform the task safely and within 24 hours make a written request to the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee for the development of a Safe Operating Practice. Safe Operating Practices will be developed by the Local Joint Health and Safety Committee within 5 working days and will be reviewed by the Plant Safety Review Board at the next regularly scheduled meeting. This will not change or restrict any mutually satisfactory local practices.
XXIV. No Hands in Dies Policy
The Corporate policy has been and continues to be 'No Hands in Dies'. Implementation of 'No Hands in Dies' in the plant requires provision for expendable hand feeding tools, slide feeds, sliding bolsters, automatic or semi-automatic operation, die cutouts or other means and procedures whereby the operators are not required to place their hands into the point of operation. In addition, well disciplined procedures for use of die blocks and safety lock-outs for maintenance and setup personnel are imperative. An intensive orientation program for operating supervisors, and process and facilities engineers may also be advisable.
XXV. PLASTIC INJECTION MOLDING MACHINES
During these negotiations, the parties discussed the safe operation and guarding of plastic injection molding machines. It is recognized that hydraulically operated machines of this type may present hazards, different than mechanical power presses. Plastic injection molding machines will continue to be safeguarded in accordance with OSHA requirements and National Consensus Standards (ANSI). The National Joint Committee will continue to explore alternative methods of safeguarding the machines.
XXVI. CONTRACTOR SAFETY
It is the Corporation’s practice to provide outside contractors with Corporate Health and Safety policies and procedures and, where applicable, relevant site specific UAW-GM Health and Safety work practices. Additionally, GM requires that construction or maintenance contractors comply with applicable Federal, State, and Municipal Health and Safety regulations as stipulated in the GM/contractor contract.
Where the nature of the construction or maintenance requires that the contractor’s employees work together with UAW-GM employees, GM will require as a condition of the construction or maintenance contract the contractor’s commitment to abide by applicable UAW-GM plant/site Health and Safety work practices.
The Plant Safety Review Board will monitor Contractor Safety activity to insure compliance, and any unresolved issues or concerns can be referred through the safety process to the National Joint Committee.
[See Doc. 14, 105]
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