On September 28th, USW and the International Paper Mill system held its 9th annual Health and Safety Conference. The Safety Conference began with a joint Committee presentation on the history of the conference, safety leading indicators and safety committees. Afternoon breakout sessions focused on Hazard Recognition and Controls, Heat Stress, Local Safety Committees, Dust Hazard Analysis, and Safety Leading Indicators.

            Prior to the conference, participants worked on posters to present in a Gallery Walk. Intended to be a joint project between Labor and Management, the poster focused on safety initiatives for equipment and workplace conditions. Three winners were chosen out of all entries; those winners include: Pensacola (locals 444, 1561 & 9-447), Riegelwood (local 9-738) and, for the fifth year in a row, Texarkana (locals 1148 & 1149). If you are interested in viewing any of the winning posters, please contact Laura Donovan ([email protected]; 412-562-2504) for an electronic version of the documents.

Prior to the joint session, on September 27th, the IP Mill locals met in a union-only session to prepare for the conference. Full-Time Health and Safety Representatives who attended the recent training in Pittsburgh reported out on what they learned. Discussions on Hazard ID and Control, LIFE Potential Indemnification, Safe Work Observations, Safe Work Observation Employee Engagement, 5S Performance, Safety Leadership Training and Project Plan Execution were also conducted.

Leeann Foster reviewing “Making and Converting Paper Safely” with USW members.

The group during the Union-only session.