Article 23 – Health and Safety

Section 1.

The Library shall make every reasonable effort to provide employees with a safe, healthy, and ergonomically sound work place consistent with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and programs, and within available resources.

Section 2.

The Library and the Association shall review emergency evacuation procedures for all CRS employees twice annually and the Library shall specify in writing such procedures to each employee. The Library shall clearly designate evacuation routes and alternative routes by prominently displaying signs in all CRS work areas. The Library shall provide adequate fire extinguishing equipment and shall instruct employees on its use at least once annually. The Library shall hold at least two emergency evacuation drills annually.

Section 3.

The Library shall, upon written notice from the Association, promptly investigate alleged hazards that pose serious threat to the safety of unit employees and will correct such hazards where found by an appropriate official or safety inspector. Employees are responsible for following established safety rules and encouraged to report unsafe conditions to their supervisor or other management officials or the Association. Employees reporting unsafe conditions to their supervisor or other management officials, including Safety Services, shall remain anonymous, if so desired. No employee shall be subject to restraint, coercion or reprisal for filing a report of unsafe or unhealthful working conditions. The Library shall notify employees and the Association immediately of any condition which poses imminent danger. The Library shall notify employees and the Association of any hazard notices which are to be posted.

Section 4.

The Library shall send a copy of all accident reports made by supervisors involving on-the-job injuries of unit employees and all health and safety inspection reports to the President of the Association. The Library shall make available routine reports generated by the Hazard Abatement Program database.

Section 5.

A joint advisory Labor-Management Health and Safety Committee shall be established. This Library-wide committee shall include two CRS management representatives and two representatives of the Association. The functions of the committee shall be:

  1. To provide a means for the presentation and evaluation of employees’ comments on health and safety matters.
  2. To conduct health and safety inspections of facilities on an annual basis at a minimum and more frequently as deemed necessary and recommend measures for the elimination or correction of conditions hazardous to the health and safety of all employees.
  3. To promote the staff’s health and safety education.

The Association shall be notified of and has the right to be represented on all health and safety committee inspections of CRS. Employees shall have the right to discuss their health and safety concerns during such inspections, and shall not be subject to any type of reprisal for so doing.

Committee recommendations will be presented in writing to the appropriate management officials. Members of the Health and Safety Committee shall be afforded time-off from regular duty, without loss of pay or charge to leave, for the purpose of performing such duties as are provided for in this Article.

Section 6.

It is the policy of the Library to establish and conduct a health program which will promote and contribute to the maintenance of the medical fitness of Library employees. Designated health services and facilities exist for the members of the Library staff, who are encouraged to use it whenever necessary.

Section 7.

The Library shall inform employees of health services available to them. The Library shall encourage all employees to participate in general and specific examination programs, such as the cancer-screening program and the high blood pressure testing program.

Section 8.

  1. The following services will be provided at no expense to employees on a continuing basis:

    1. Any immunizations made available by the Public Health Service;
    2. Visual screening and eye examinations;
    3. Hearing examinations and participation in a comprehensive hearing conservation program;
    4. Cancer screening programs and comprehensive health information programs; and
    5. Emergency service during all work hours.

  2. The Library will provide comprehensive physical examinations and ergonomic consultations to employees where necessary and appropriate for the performance of their duties.

Section 9.

  1. Within available resources, the Library will provide first aid and CPR training to any employee who volunteers to take it. If resources are limited, priority should be given to maximize division/office coverage.
  2. The Emergency Medical Response Team which includes the medical staff and the Library’s Police, are responsible for certain assigned responsibilities in the event of a medical emergency. The Health Services Officer is responsible for providing the Emergency Medical Response Team with adequate and current first aid and referral training, including CPR, as determined necessary by the Library and within its available resources.
  3. As a rule, Health Rooms shall be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Library will make every reasonable effort to ensure the availability of medical emergency personnel during working hours.

Section 10.

The Library will administer the Federal Employee’s Compensation Program as provided by law. The Association will counsel and assist all employees to report injuries immediately and to refrain from self-treatment to the extent it may compromise their rights under the Federal compensation program. An employee will be permitted to review documents relating to his/her claim for compensation which the Office of Workers Compensation Programs has authorized the Library to make available. The employee may be accompanied by his/her representative, if the employee so wishes.

Section 11. The Parties agree:

  1. That an employee making a written request for accommodation for health reasons is entitled to prompt consideration of the request;
  2. That sick leave is provided by law for employees who are medically temporarily incapable of doing their job is a result of a non-occupational sickness or injury; in addition, leave without pay may be granted consistent with applicable laws and regulations;
  3. That, in cases of temporary partial disability where full recovery is expected normally within six months, the Library shall make a reasonable effort to assign limited or light duties or make other arrangements;
  4. That all written requests from employees for light-duty assignments, details, or reassignments for medical reasons should be referred to the Library’s Health Services Office for recommendation. These requests should be supported by a medical statement prescribed by the Librarys Health Services Office. Such requests are entitled to prompt consideration.

Section 12.

When an employee must leave the Library due to illness or injury as determined by the Health Services Office, the Library shall provide or arrange transportation from the Library to the employee’s home, to a hospital, or to a doctor’s office.