Our health and safety track record
The United Steelworkers is the health and safety union. We represent many workers in dangerous occupations, including steel-making, forestry, mining and smelting. Our health and safety staff work with local unions to reduce stress, defend members, advise on workers' compensation matters, negotiate for better health and safety conditions and lobby for better regulations and standards.
By law, your employer is responsible for your health and safety. Employers must:
Prevent hazards.
Eliminate dangerous conditions.
Provide training.
Top 5 causes of injury:
Slipping and falling
Over-exertion
Being struck by an object
Suffering toxic effects from chemicals
Burns
Our union has an Emergency Response Team (ERT) that dispatches members as soon as possible following a workplace fatality or catastrophic incident.
The ERT offers caring and compassionate support to USW members, families and co-workers dealing with a workplace tragedy:
Advocacy for members and their families
A liaison between families, the local union and the employer
Referrals to service providers
Support for the local union
Follow-up visits to offer further assistance to family members and workers
Our union also has a New Worker Awareness Program that helps new and young workers by sharing knowledge and experience of the many workplace injuries, illnesses and hazards that happen at work.
Health and safety at work has become more prominent, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. You have had to make a lot of adjustments to protect yourselves and others at work and you should be able to expect the same of your employer.