We are pleased to announce that the Article 18 Health and Safety Committee has approved a proposal to pay the $150 Registration Fee for labor and management personnel to attend the Safe Patient Handling Conference that is being sponsored by New York State Zero Lift Task force at the Hotel Albany, Albany, New York on April 24-25, 2013.  The goal of the conference is to increase labor and management collaboration in preventing back injuries and related workers’ compensation costs due to patient lifting, and also to prevent patient injury.  The program will be offered to up to three (3) labor and three (3) management representatives in each facility providing direct patient care. Participating agencies include OCFS, OPWDD, OMH, SUNY, DOCCS, DOH and Roswell Park Cancer Institute.  The program will be offered to direct care staff, physical therapists, health and safety committee members, business officers or other personnel involved in safe patient handling programs. 

In order to qualify for the $150 registration fee, please complete the enclosed Safe Patient Handling registration form.  You can also find this form on the PEF web site at www.pef.org –and click on “Health and Safety”.  Please also complete and submit the attached form that indicates your workshop choices.   PEF will process your application and workshop selection sheet and notify you prior to the Conference.

Subject to operating needs, agencies will provide two (2) days of release time on April 24-25, 2013 without charge to leave credits.  In addition, agencies may authorize up to three hours of travel time on April 23^rd for those who must travel more than 125 miles to attend the conference.

Please note that travel reimbursement and other related costs for conference attendees is subject to state and agency policies regarding travel expenditure.  Any policies requiring pre-approval for such expenses must be followed.

If you have any questions or need assistance in completing the application please contact Crystal Bruno or Jenna Laboda at PEF at 518-785-1900 x 254.

Larry Enoch, GOER Co-Chair     &      Rocco Brindisi, PEF Co-Chair
                                                                                

REGISTRATION FORM
TRACKS OFFERED
AGENDA
MOU

NYS/PEF HEALTH & SAFETY

CONFERENCE IS NOW CLOSED

For any additional questions please contact us at 518-785-1900 ext. 336 or e-mail kwillbrant@pef.org

THANK YOU

April 18th-20th, 2013

Hotel Albany

The Public Employees Federation Health & Safety Program would like to invite you to this year’s Health & Safety Conference to be held on April 18th-20th, 2013 at the Hotel Albany and Conference Center, 40 Lodge Street, Albany, NY.  Registrations for the conference must be submitted by March 8, 2013.

Conference Brochure Available for Download

Conference Release Time Letter

The theme of this year’s conference is “Health & Safety: A Call to Action”. PEF is committed to safe jobs and safe workplaces.  The conference is an excellent opportunity to network with fellow labor and management health & safety personnel to discuss key issues.  Past conferences have featured national and state experts, and prepared participants to accomplish important improvements such as instituting health & safety programs on bloodborne pathogens, ergonomics, workplace violence prevention, safe patient handling and confined space entry. 

The guest speakers are to be announced.

Please promote the conference at your next health & safety and/or labor management meeting and encourage representatives from management to attend.  Other bargaining units may attend at their own expense.

For more information on the conference please contact Kristina Willbrant, Health & Safety Assistant/Conference Coordinator at: 518-785-1900, ext. 336, or 800-342-4306, ext. 336, or via e-mail:

Registration Fee:

A registration fee of $35.00 has been implemented to offset the expense of the conference.  The fee applies to all registrants, including those funded by PEF. Registration fee must be received prior to the conference date. We will not accept payments at the conference registration. Please make checks payable to: NYS Public Employees Federation. Mail to: PEF Health & Safety, P.O. Box 12414, Albany, NY 12212-2414.

Eligibility for Funding by PEF:

Please note that the registration fee of $35 is not funded by PEF and applies to all participants. The following individuals are eligible for funding by PEF: Labor and Management representatives of the Statewide Health & Safety Committee, Agency and Local Health & Safety Chairs, Infection Control Nurses, Agency Safety Managers, PEF Executive Board Members, PEF Statewide Officers, PEF Regional Coordinators, PEF Field Staff, and members of the Statewide Nurses Committee.

Alternative Funding:

All other participants must be funded by their PEF Division, through a scholarship, their agency, or at their own expense.  Individuals not funded by PEF should complete the alternate funding information on the registration form, and attach a check for meals, housing, and the registration fee made out to: NYS Public Employees Federation.  We encourage PEF Divisions to offer scholarships so that they may send additional representatives to the conference. Scholarships should include the cost of transportation, meals, housing, and the registration fee.  All attendees must complete the online registration form.

Room Reservations:

All hotel reservations will be made by PEF.  A finite number of rooms have been reserved at a special rate for our group at the hotel.  Space is limited and reservations will be taken on a “first come, first serve” basis.  Due to cost and the limited number of rooms available, local attendees who live within 60 miles of the conference are not eligible for housing.

Travel and Other Expenses:

PEF policies for travel and other expenses apply.

PEF Expense Voucher Guidelines Available for Download(pdf)

Attendees are strongly encouraged to car pool. Please visit PEF website for more information. There will be no air travel for this conference without advanced approval.

Expense vouchers will be available for participants at the conference.

Release Time:

The Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER) has approved a request for release time for conference attendees, subject to agency operational needs.  A letter outlining the agreement has been included for your information: Conference Release Time Letter (pdf).  If you need assistance in obtaining “Administrative Leave” from your agency or have any questions, please contact your local PEF Division Leader or Field Representative first.  Additional assistance may be obtained by contacting Health & Safety at (518) 785-1900 ex 336 or e-mail:  kwillbrant@pef.org

Click to View:

Conference Agenda (pdf)

Conference Brochure (pdf)

Conference Release Time Letter (pdf) 

Proceed to On-line Registration

Directions to Hotel Albany:

Arriving from the South

Take the NYS Thruway (I-87) North to Exit 23. After the toll, follow to I-787 North. Take Exit 4 and follow the signs to Broadway by turning left at the 1st traffic light. Continue on Broadway and turn left on State Street. Continue up State Street to the 2nd traffic light and turn right on Lodge Street. The Hotel Albany is on the corner of 40 Lodge Street.

Arriving from the North

Take the 'Northway' (I-87) South to I-90 East. Follow I-90 East to I-787 South. Use Exit 4B (Clinton Avenue). At the light, turn left onto Broadway. At the 4th traffic light, turn right on State Street. Continue up State Street to the 2nd traffic light and turn right on Lodge Street. The Hotel Albany is on the corner of 40 Lodge Street. 

Arriving from the East

Take I-90 West to I-787 South. Use Exit 4B (Clinton Avenue). At the light, turn left onto Broadway. At the 4th traffic light, turn right on State Street. Continue up State Street to the 2nd traffic light and turn right on Lodge Street. The Hotel Albany is on the corner of 40 Lodge Street. 

Arriving from the West

Take the NYS Thruway (I-90) East to Exit 24. After the toll, continue to follow signs for I-90 East to I-787 South. Use Exit 4B (Clinton Avenue). At the light, turn left onto Broadway. At the 4th traffic light, turn right on State Street. Continue up State Street to the 2nd traffic light and turn right on Lodge Street. The Hotel Albany is on the corner of 40 Lodge Street. 

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE CONFERENCE!

Proceed to On-line Registration

Please note: Online registration still requires verification and mailed payment/signatures.  You should receive a confimation within 2 business days after registering on what you need to send in.

April 10, 2012
NYSUT
800 Troy-Schenectady Road
Latham NY

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

The State of New York/ Public Employees Federation (PEF) Statewide Health & Safety Committee has scheduled a one-day Health and Safety Committee training program. The program is open to all labor and management co-chairs of the agency health and safety committees (or their designees). The training will be held on April 10, 2012 at the NYSUT, 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, NY.  

The goal of the program is to strengthen committee effectiveness in solving health and safety problems. The program will be conducted by the Health & Safety Department and a representative of the PESH Program. With retirements and transfers there are many new chairs for labor and management and this program is geared to allow veteran chairs to share their knowledge and experience with newly appointed chairs.

Outcomes will include:

• Thorough understanding of Article 18
• Understanding of why H & S has to be a joint process
• Understanding what it means to create a H & S culture
• Assessment of current functioning as a H & S committee
• Plan for moving H & S committees to next level
• Review of PEF and agency resources and grants
• Understanding the role of PESH enforcement and consultation programs

This will also be an excellent opportunity to network with fellow labor and management health and safety leaders.

Memo for H&S Chairs' Conference

Registration Form

Agenda



“Asbestos, Contaminants and Other Indoor Environmental Issues – Getting Results”

The programs will be held on

April 3, 2012 in Binghamton, NY; April 20, 2012 in Albany NY; May 9, 2012 in New York City, and May 22, 2012 in Rochester, NY
9:00am - 4:00pm
Registration at 8:30am

Union leaders and agency managers are routinely contacted by state employees regarding concerns caused by indoor environmental contaminants, including asbestos, common chemicals, paint or renovation materials and others, and their impact on indoor air quality (IAQ). The statewide Health & Safety Committee recognizes the importance of providing training to management officials, union representatives, and building personnel. Understanding strategies for preventing and responding to IAQ problems caused by indoor environmental contaminants will help preserve workplace safety and health, and avoid disruptions to operations.

The program is open to all Labor and Management Chairs of the Agency and Local Level Health and Safety Committees (or their designees) as well as building managers, supervisors and other personnel who routinely deal with facility management issues. Each Agency and Local health and safety committee is invited to send up to three (3) additional representatives to the program. Selection of these additional participants shall be done by joint consultation between the labor and management chairs of the agency health and safety committees.

“Asbestos, Contaminants and Other Indoor Environmental Issues – Getting Results”

 April 3, 2012 - PEF Binghamton Office, 305 Vestal Parkway West, Vestal, NY   

April 20, 2012 - OGS Corning Tower, 29th Floor Conference Center, Albany, NY  

May 9, 2012 in New York City - Location to be posted soon!

May 22, 2012 - NYSUT Conference Center, Union Place, 30 N. Union Street, Rochester, NY   

Memo for Upcoming IAQ Trainings

Registration Form for IAQ Training

Tentative Agenda



5th Annual Safe Patient Handling Conference

October 18 - 19, 2011

Albany Marriott Hotel

189 Wolf Road

Albany, NY  12205

All MC and PEF members will have the Registration form paid for by NYS/PEF H&S Article 18.  To see guidelines, please see the Invitation Memo.

Memo

This two-day conference is designed to provide participants with proven practices for safely lifting, repositioning, and transferring patients, residents, or individuals being cared for in acute, long-term or residential settings using new and emerging technology. This conference will help participants to understand the elements of successful Safe Patient Handling Programs and practical ways to develop and implement these elements. This conference is for workers with little knowledge of Safe Patient Handling principles, as well as for more experienced staff. Participate in hands-on demonstrations of current technology provided by experienced healthcare practitioners. Attend sessions geared toward front-line healthcare workers or sessions geared toward administration. Hear how effective labor/management partnerships have led to very successful Safe Patient Handling Programs.

2011 Format

• 2 day SPH Conference

o Hear about successful programs and resources throughout NY

o Evening Exhibitor Reception with state of the art equipment

o Attend Problem Solving SPH Hand-on Labs

o Matching equipment and strategies to task performed, patient function and environmental constraints

o Sessions offered specifically for Residential and Community Settings for Developmentally Challenged

o Architectural Considerations for Redesigns and New Builds

o Learn how to use your injury and illness data to gain support for your SPH program

o Learn how to choose and support your SPH Champions

o And more…

• Safe Patient Handling Awards
  
• Poster Session

Click here for the Invitation Memo, Registration Form, and Breakout Session Choice Form.

All Registration and Breakout Session forms must be submitted to PEF to qualify for the free registration to this conference.



The New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) with support from a group of labor unions, healthcare facilities, environmental organizations and Manhattan Community Board 1 will sponsor an all day conference on September 16th, 2011 entitled “Protecting Worker and Community Health: Are We Prepared for the Next 9/11?”

The conference will discuss how harm occurred, what steps have been taken to prevent such occupational and environmental health consequences in future catastrophes, and what still needs to be done to insure harm can be minimized in future disaster response efforts. The conference will undertake a frank assessment of public health regulation and policy in order to identify and advocate for the changes necessary to better protect the health of rescue, recovery, cleanup and area workers and local residents in future disasters.

“Tens of thousands of workers, residents and volunteers are sick today -- some have died – as a result of their exposure to contaminants that blanketed Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn after 9/11. There is much to learn from this catastrophic experience. This conference is designed to ask, ‘If 9/11 were to happen today, how would our response be different?’ We think it is important to hear from those with responsibility what programs have been developed so that we don’t repeat this recent history,” said Joel Shufro, Executive Director of NYCOSH.

The conference will feature speakers from federal agencies who had responsibility at the World Trade Center-related sites, including:
• John Howard, M.D., WTC Health Program Director and Director of the National Institute for Occupational Health Sciences (NIOSH)
• David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA (OSHA)
• Richard Woychick, Deputy Director, National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
• Mathy Stanislaus, Assistant Administrator, EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response

Among the policy issues to be discussed are:
• Adequacy of the regulatory framework that is supposed to protect the health of disaster responders, residents, workers, students and volunteers
• Exposure assessment, risk communication, sampling, and data collection and sharing
• The broader human and environmental consequences of large disasters
• Vulnerable populations, including immigrant workers and children
• Access to medical care and workers’ compensation
• Appropriateness and extent of worker emergency preparedness training

Other speakers will include: David Prezant, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at the Office of Medical Affairs for the New York City Fire Department (FDNY); Joan Reibman, M.D., Director of the Health and Hospitals Corporation WTC Environmental Health Center; Laura Crowley, MD, Assistant Professor, Preventive Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Representatives Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler of the United States House of Representatives. Linda Rae Murray, M.D., President of the American Public Health Association, will also address the conference.

Responders, recovery and clean up workers and volunteers, area residents, labor union members and members of community, environmental and faith-based advocacy organizations are urged to attend.
The conference will be held at the United Federation of Teachers, 52 Broadway in Lower Manhattan. The cost of the conference is $25, which covers morning coffee, lunch and handouts.

To register go to www.NYCOSH.org. Space is limited. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Advanced registration is required.

For further information call 212-227-6440.

Safe Patient Handling Conference

Sponsored by

NYSDOL and NYS Zero Lift Task Force

Registration is Now Open!!!

When: Tuesday October 18- Wednesday October 19, 2011

Where: Marriott Hotel

189 Wolf Rd

Albany, NY 12205

2011 Format

2 Day SPH Conference

• Hear about successful programs and resources throughout NY

• Evening Exhibitor Reception with state of the art equipment

• Attend Problem Solving SPH Hand-on Labs

• Matching equipment and strategies to task performed, patient function and environmental constraints

• Sessions offered specifically for Residential and Community Settings for Developmentally Challenged

• Architectural Considerations for Redesigns and New Builds

• Learn how to use your injury and illness data to gain support for your SPH program

• Learn how to choose and support your SPH Champions

• And more…

Safe Patient Handling Awards

Poster Session

**We are currently in the process of finalizing paperwork to secure the funding for the registration fee and release time for PEF and MC employees through Article 18 of the NYS/PEF Contract.  We will have registration forms available soon.**

SEATING LIMITED

Information and registration is available at:
http://labor.ny.gov/sphconference



Agency & Local H&S Chairpersons & Activists

September 13^th

7:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Conference Dining Area
Conference Center Niagara Falls
Cost: $10 – to be collected at the door

PEF’s Health and Safety Department is pleased to invite you to attend a breakfast meeting for Agency and Local level Health & Safety Committee chairs and activists. This event coincides with the 2009 PEF Convention that will be held in Niagara Falls, New York from September 11^th – September 14th. The meeting gives the opportunity to share experiences and network with colleagues. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to send a representative in your place.

GUEST SPEAKER: 

Robert Grey is presently the managing partner of Grey & Grey, LLP, which represents workers in workers’ compensation, disability, and other matters involving injury and disability. Mr. Grey has represented thousands of clients before the Workers’ Compensation Board, State and Federal courts. He has been involved in drafting legislation to provide workers’ compensation and pension benefits for World Trade Center rescue, recovery, and clean-up workers. Author of numerous articles, Mr. Grey is also a member of various bar associations and is the outreach committee chair for the Mt. Sinai-Irving J. Selikoff Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine Advisory Board, as well as an adjunct professor at Cornell, and a technical advisory on the NYS Sept. 11^th Worker Protection Task Force.

Breakfast includes:
Assorted Chilled Juices, Coffee and Tea
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Oatmeal with Raisins and Brown Sugar
An Assortment of Fresh Danish, Muffins and Croissants
Fruit Preserves and Sweet Butter
Scrambles Eggs
Roasted Country Potatoes
Sausage Link and Crisp Apple Wood Smoked Bacon
Waffles or French Toast layered with Cream Cheese and Fresh Fruit Compote

Served with Warm Maple Syrup

RSVP:  By September 2nd to:

            Kristina Willbrant H&S Dept.

            kwillbrant@pef.org or call 518-785-1900 x336  

                                             or 800-342-4306 x336



March 24th-26th 2011

Desmond Hotel - Albany, NY

Click for the invitation, agenda and other details
 

We are looking forward to seeing you at the Conference!!