Article 32
Health and Safety

Section 32.01

A. To the extent of its ability and authority, the Employer will provide and maintain a safe and healthy work environment.

B. The Employer shall, to the extent possible, and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations, make every effort to minimize any safety hazards in the workplace.

Section 32.02

Employees are encouraged to inform the Employer of any unsafe or unhealthy practice, equipment, or condition which might represent a health and safety hazard. The NTEU and the Employer will promptly report any perceived safety hazard to the appropriate authority.

A. Each building occupied by bargaining unit employees shall have an annual health and safety inspection. Such inspections shall be directed by a safety office of the Employer, or designee, who shall be accompanied by a designated representative of the NTEU. Bargaining unit employees participating in this inspection will do so on official time.

B. The NTEU will be provided a copy of applicable health and safety reports made to appropriate authorities.

C. The Headquarters Partnership Council will address the issue of improved safety on the roadways, parking areas, walkways and steps under control of the DOE. For those areas not under the control of the DOE, but adjacent to DOE facilities and used by employees during or immediately before or after the working day, the Council will identify needs for improved safety to officials of local governments and attempt to convince them to resolve any safety problems. The Council will also notify DOE of safety problems at the adjacent areas, and DOE will notify employees of these problems.

Section 32.03

Employees will be notified annually of proper fire and bomb threat evacuation procedures. In imminent danger situations, employees will be notified by means of the general fire alarm and will be evacuated. Employees will also be notified as soon as is reasonable of other potential hazards or inconveniences, such as equipment malfunction or plumbing interruption.

Section 32.04

A. The Employer will continue to provide health services on site which are sufficient to care for an employee during an emergency and until proper outside medical authorities can reach the employee.

B. The Employer will continue its practice of training employees in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (C.P.R.) Techniques. Notification of C.P.R. classes will be sent to all employees via DOECAST, and schedules will be posted on the DOE intranet. The names of all current employees who have received C.P.R. Training shall be posted and annually updated electronically so as to insure proper employee awareness.

Section 32.05

A. The Employer agrees to continue its practice of providing employees periodic physical examinations.

B. The Employer agrees to continue its group blood bank program for the employees.

C. The Employer agrees to continue its practice of offering lunch-time seminars on stress management at no cost to employees.

Section 32.06

A. At a minimum, the Employer agrees to make available to the employees as requested a copy of pertinent health benefit brochures.

B. C. The Employer agrees to keep on file copies of each health plan offered to employees.

D. First aid kits will be available to all employees. The Employer agrees to make available through the Supply Store first aid kits for individual use. Organizations needing a larger First Aid Kit may obtain them through the requisition special order process. The location of first aid kits will be posted on local bulletin boards.

E. Subject to management's right to determine budget, the Employer will offer first aid classes to employees. Notification of first aid classes will be sent to all employees via DOECAST, and schedules will be posted on the DOE intranet. The names of all current employees who have received first aid training shall be posted and annually updated electronically so as to insure proper employee awareness.

Section 32.07

A. The Employer will inform the NTEU when chemicals potentially harmful to an employee's health are to be used in its facilities. Such notice will be given as soon as the Employer becomes aware of the chemicals' use. In no case may the notice be given later than one full workday before the chemicals are to be used. This notice will also be given to affected employees.

B. Within one hour of identification of potentially unsafe conditions, the respective Chapter President, or designee, will meet with a senior Management and Administration official to determine appropriate steps to be taken (e.g., designation of safe areas or dismissal).

Section 32.08

The Employer will, consistent with its right to assign work, make a reasonable attempt to reassign tasks of employees who provide acceptable medical documentation that particular tasks presently assigned to the employees pose a health hazard to the employees.

Section 32.09

The Employer will, upon request, make available access to those Government-wide and DOE regulations governing the safe conduct and performance of employee duties and the maintenance of a safe work area.

Section 32.10

Employees recuperating from illness or injury and temporarily physically incapacitated for their assigned duties may voluntarily submit a written request to their supervisor for temporary assignment to duties commensurate with their qualification and abilities. Such a request must contain documentation which addresses the medical basis for and the expected length of the proposed temporary reassignment. Procedures for submitting necessary medical information as outlined in Article 27.03.D. are also applicable here. The Employer shall, to the extent possible, and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations and medical recommendations, make every reasonable effort to grant such temporary assignments.