OSHA does not give you the right to a health and
safety committee with release time. But OCAW locals have
won this right in collective bargaining. Ideal contract
language should include:
The right to organize a union health and safety
committee.
The right to investigate accidents immediately.
The right to request an industrial hygiene survey
of the workplace by a neutral consultant.
The right to statistical data on employee medical
examinations.
The right to "rate retention" if people are forced
to change jobs for medical reasons.
The right to health and safety training by the
International Union at company expense.
The right to refuse unsafe work.
The right to shut down unsafe operations.
Hazardous Materials Workbook, OCAW/ Labor Institute
New York, Apex Press, 1996, p.378.