Every worker has the right to safety on the job. By law, it is your employer's responsibility to provide you with a safe and healthy work environment. This applies to more common workplace hazards as well the current need to protect at-risk workers from contracting Ebola. Just like all other workplace hazards, the union is committed to making sure that employers are doing the right thing.

• Even before the first confirmed case of Ebola was diagnosed in New York, Local 237 has been involved in discussions with employers on how best they can protect you. While the majority of Local 237 members are at very low risk of ever coming into contact with an Ebola patient, others, such as HHC workers, have a somewhat higher risk.
  
  
• The Local 237's Occupational Safety and Health staff have been reviewing agencies' plans for protective equipment and training. Many agencies are sharing their plans with the union on how to best perform job duties if there is an Ebola patient at a work site location. In many cases, Local 237 has been able to weigh in and has helped to formulate safety policies and procedures for specific job titles.

Local 237 leaders and staff continue to visit work sites and attend agency safety meeting across the City. But members are the eyes and the ears of the union. The union relies on members to keep us informed so that we can fight for you. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself and your co-workers safe:

Educate Yourself

• Stay up on the latest information. To begin with, determine if you are  pdf at risk of being exposed to Ebola on the job.   Next, you'll want to get the facts on Ebola in pdf English or  pdf Spanish so that you can distinguish between potential dangers and hype.
  
  
• Check back frequently. Information and protocols are evolving. Local 237 will update our website with the latest information from the Department of Health, the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, and where applicable, agency procedures.
  
  
• Learn more about occupational health and safety.

Keep Local 237 Informed

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If there is training or if procedures are shared with you at your location, send the materials to the union for us to evaluate.
  
  
• If you want more information, you can call the union and we will direct you to the most up-to-date trusted information available, either on the internet or in print.
  
  
• If you hear that an Ebola patient is at your facility, call or email the Local 237 Health and Safety coordinator so that we can investigate and go to your facility to make sure the proper procedures are being followed.

Contact information:

Diane Stein, Safety and Health Coordinator
Phone: 212-924-2000
Email contact: dstein@local237.org