Yearly Archives: 2016

Healthy Schools Now Coalition Meeting

On September 20, more than 25 representatives from diverse labor, educational and community organizations assembled at NJEA headquarters in Trenton, NJ for the inaugural Healthy Schools Now coalition meeting of the 2016-17 academic year. Coalition meeting participants enjoyed a presentation on Governor Christie’s proposed school funding formula from Education Law Center’s managing director Theresa Luhm, and a presentation on rethinking educational environments from NJ Environmental Justice Alliance’s campaign organizer Nicole Scott-Harris. Both presentations are available online here. Healthy Schools Now coalition members had a robust conversation on the next steps in the fight for healthy and school schools for all of New Jersey’s students. Several leaders reiterated the need for enhanced cross-coalition partnerships. Over the next few months, the Healthy Schools Now campaign will be working with elected officials, community and labor organizations on expanding educational equity and social justice, ensuring proper school nutrition, helping to push the temperature control bill through the legislative process, and increasing bonding capacity for the NJ School Development Authority. Join Healthy Schools Now coalition members for our next meeting on November 29, 2016 beginning at 10 AM at NJEA Headquarters in Trenton, NJ.

By |2016-09-22T21:18:00-04:00September 22nd, 2016|WEC in the News|Comments Off on Healthy Schools Now Coalition Meeting

Why N.J. schools close when there’s sweltering heat

"With our state in the throes of knock down, drag out fights surrounding competing and different educational funding philosophies, one area of near certain agreement is that all students deserve a safe and healthy learning environment. Passing temperature control legislation and working with school districts to create common sense plans for addressing this increasingly common hazard would take us closer to realizing safe and healthy learning environments for all of New Jersey public school students. " Full opinion-editorial by Jerell Blakeley, WEC campaign organizer in The Star Ledger, September 21, 2016

By |2016-09-21T21:18:00-04:00September 21st, 2016|Highlights, Opinion Pieces|Comments Off on Why N.J. schools close when there’s sweltering heat

Urge Governor Christie to Take Action to Protect our Lives, Jobs, Health, Schools, and Businesses!

New Jersey Work Environment Council and our allies strongly urge Governor Christie to take action to protect our lives, jobs, health, schools, and businesses. The deadly hazards of crude oil shipments on rail are concerning to residents in New Jersey as thousands of rail cars now pass through our communities every week, including through densely populated areas such as Union and Middlesex counties. Governor Christie should direct his administration to release information from the railroads on crude oil shipments instead of keeping the public in the dark. Sign this petition urging Governor Christie to take specific steps to respect our right to know! Sign Petition

By |2016-11-04T15:24:03-04:00August 31st, 2016|Petitions|Comments Off on Urge Governor Christie to Take Action to Protect our Lives, Jobs, Health, Schools, and Businesses!

Fall Internship

Are you interested in working with a progressive organization to advance labor and environmental policies in New Jersey? The NJ Work Environment Council (WEC), an alliance of 70 labor, environmental, and community organizations, working for safe, secure jobs and a healthy, sustainable environment, has an exciting internship opportunity beginning September, 2016. Please Click Here

By |2016-08-26T18:42:00-04:00August 26th, 2016|Job Postings|Comments Off on Fall Internship

Workplace Safety and Health

Safety Violations or Illegal Activity at Work: Your Right to Protection (Spanish) Your Employer Must Tell You About Chemical Hazards Background on Worker and Union Involvement During Clean Air Act Section 112(r) Inspections On April 2, 2010, the US Environmental Protection Agency issued "Interim Guidance" for involving facility employees and employee representatives in EPA and local agency inspections conducted under Clean Air Act (CAA) section 112(r). Using Risk Management Plan to Improve Health and Safety RMP information can be used to support change to safer operations that protect workers and communities. Using Federal Reading Rooms to Research Worst-Case Chemical Release Scenarios You can use the information to work with others for safer solutions - such as reducing or eliminating the hazard through the use of safer and more secure chemicals or processes. Make Sure Public Employers Submit Accurate Chemical Right to Know Surveys Public employee unions should ensure that public employers do a thorough job completing the 2008 Right to Know Survey. Safe Work, Safe Care Project Brochure Learn more about WEC's Safe Work, Safe Care Project. The goal of the project is to help create and maintain safe, healthy work environments for healthcare workers. Preventing Chemical Accidents: OSHA's Process Safety [...]

By |2016-10-31T03:11:33-04:00August 25th, 2016|Fact Sheets|Comments Off on Workplace Safety and Health

Healthy School Environments

Your Rights Under the New Jersey Public Employees' Occupational Safety and Health Act An overview of your rights. Good Things to Do During a PEOSH Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Inspection A checklist of what to do during an inspection. Be Aware of Artificial Turf Hazards The health risks that may accompany synthetic turf. School Hazard Facts for Families Factsheet Series: School Hazards Hurt Health and Learning (In Spanish) Top School Health and Safety Websites (In Spanish) Schools with Good Ventilation (In Spanish) Schools with Comfortable Temperatures (In Spanish) Schools Free of Dust, Dirt, and Germs (In Spanish) Schools Free of Pests and Pesticides (In Spanish) Schools Free of Hazards from Construction (In Spanish) Schools Free of Mold (In Spanish) Schools Free of Environmental Hazards (In Spanish) Toxic-Free Schools (In Spanish)

By |2016-10-31T04:33:53-04:00August 24th, 2016|Fact Sheets|Comments Off on Healthy School Environments

Right to Know and Act to Prevent Toxic Exposures in the Workplace and Community

Toxic Release Inventory TRI is one of a number of federal and state laws that workers and community members can use to help reduce toxic exposure. Chemical Facilities Must Hold Public Meeting After an Incident with Off-Site Consequences By law, effective March 15, 2021, 78 facilities in NJ that use extremely hazardous substances are required to hold a public meeting within 90 days of any incident that results in offsite deaths, injuries, evacuations, sheltering in place, property damage, or environmental damage. Protecting Firefighters, Police, and Other Emergency Response Workers From Hazardous Materials You Have the Right to Disclose Unlawful Activity and to Not Participate In Such Activity Without Employer Retaliation Summary of NJ Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Vinyl Chloride This is a summary of the NJ Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet on vinyl chloride and on your righ to know about hazardous chemicals in your community. Hurricane Recovery: Resources for Protecting Workers & Residents A list of resources for workers and residents. This factsheet was revised July 2013. Finding Chemical Exposures and Negotiating Fixes A checklist to help you and your union to push management to reduce workers' exposure to hazardous chemicals. Make Sure Public Employers Submit Accurate Chemical Right to [...]

By |2023-03-06T11:02:34-05:00August 23rd, 2016|Fact Sheets|Comments Off on Right to Know and Act to Prevent Toxic Exposures in the Workplace and Community

WEC Annual Awards Dinner & 30th Anniversary Celebration

The New Jersey Work Environment Council holds its major fundraiser, an awards dinner, each year. 2016 is our 30th anniversary year and we were grateful to be joined by more than 125 labor, environmental, community leaders and public officials, representing many thousands of New Jersey workers and residents. The event was held on Friday, November 18, 2016 at The College of New Jersey, 2000 Pennington Road, Ewing, in the Education Building, Room 212. Attendees enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine, and a buffet dinner, with ample time provided to network and mingle with friends. WEC relies on the generosity of our members to help fund our mission: working for safe, secure jobs and a healthy, sustainable environment. Thank you to everyone that joined us! download the invitation and order form. Buy tickets 2016 HONOREES Colandus "Kelly" Francis is President of the Camden County Branch of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He is currently serving in several volunteer capacities as vice president of the Camden City Taxpayers Association, vice chairman of Parkside Business and Community in Partnership, member of the Camden City Early Childhood Advisory Council, member of Superior Count Sensitivity and Cultural [...]

By |2016-11-23T10:22:29-05:00August 23rd, 2016|Events, Highlights|Comments Off on WEC Annual Awards Dinner & 30th Anniversary Celebration

Preventing Chemical Accidents

New Jersey's Mandatory Worker Training Program on Chemical Safety and Security On July 25, 2006, New Jersey's Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (OHSP) wrote certain chemical facility owners informing them that they were now legally required to train their employees about security. This fact sheet explains the requirement. Worker and Union Rights to Participate in Inspections to Prevent Catastrophic Toxic Releases Workers and union representatives now have important rights to protect the safety and security of workers and communities. DEP Rule for Inherently Safer Technology Review Learn about the NJ Department of Environmental Protection Rule. (Effective May 2008) Bakken Crude Oil By Rail: New Dangers For Firefighters Tar Sands Oil Tar sands present health and environmental hazards.

By |2016-08-20T15:29:32-04:00August 20th, 2016|Fact Sheets|Comments Off on Preventing Chemical Accidents
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