Internal Review of FLRA's Occupational Safety and Health

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More timeliness in addressing safety vulnerabilities in the new HQ location such aselectrical problems, air quality, insufficient wall installation, inability to implementsecurity protection for documents stored in unlocatable areas.One HQ supervisor stated that several staff members have asked if the FLRA couldsubsidize health club fees since we no longer had one in the Headquarters building.Many larger Federal Agencies establish fitness programs to provide employees anavenue for physical fitness to support overall health and well being and reduce risks ofcardiovascular diseases, obesity, stress, mental depression and other types of ailments.No supervisors or employees interviewed were informed of their suitability/backgroundchecks. Suitability background checks are performed for all FLRA employees throughOPM. This check includes personal interviews, credit checks, and law enforcementchecks. Management checks involve employment, education and spouse checks as well.The results are maintained by the Administrative Services Division but are notcommunicated to managers or the subject employee.Several supervisors stated that they considered fire the most threatening safety hazardand that, in spite of the Emergency Evacuation Plan, they still don=t know where to go.One supervisor stated that several offices were too far from the Exit area.Headquarter managers were most concerned about the current door lock system,internal stairway knobs, the darkness of the elevator halls and stairwells 1/ and theprivacy/security of labor management case files and office equipment lock system.Regional Office Directors were all positive about their building (private and Federal)safety programs and periodic checks. All of them stated that they have not receivedFLRA instructions on safety and health programs. With the exception of one, RegionalOffice Directors stated they had good interaction with their Health Servicesorganizations and several of them actually came to the Regional Offices to provideservices such as flu shots, blood tests, and training sessions, etc.FLRA Employees= Major Comments/ConcernsNew FLRA employees are currently being provided some safety, health and securityinformation at their initial check in to the Agency. Some employees who were hiredduring FY 2000 -2002 were not provided with such information. Most employeesinterviewed felt safety and health were important to them and they needed moreinformation.2/ This problem has been addressed by management as of June 30, 2003.23
Several administrative employees who have been employees by the Federal LaborRelations Authority for more than 15 years were unaware of FLRA=s occupational safetyand health program.One FLRA Headquarters employee was injured by an engineer (mop bucket hit her leg)and was given Workman=s compensation leave. As a result of not being aware of therules of the Workman=s Compensation Act, the employee misused the leave.Three FLRA Headquarters employees who had serious non work related healthproblems stated that FLRA management accommodated their situations.Most FLRA Headquarters employees were aware that their offices maintained first aidkits but some were not aware of its location.CURRENT SAFETY AND HEALTH ISSUES:The current location of the FLRA Headquarters at 1400 K Street was reviewed for safetycompliance and was approved by the Federal Protective Service and the GovernmentServices Administration Washington D.C. Safety Inspectors did a walk throughinspection of the building and reported the safety level as satisfactory although severalpotential high risk deficiencies were identified and required to be corrected prior toFLRA Headquarters occupancy and to the Headquarters move. Individual officemanagers have identified some safety issues such insufficient electrical outlets, airquality, floor uneveness, and temperature controls. Most of these are being addressed.The following safety and health concerns were brought up by FLRA employees:HEADQUARTERS:Headquarters stairwells are too dark and dangerous to walk on. Lighting needs to bestrengthened. Also, the internal stairwell door knobs are round and difficult for someemployees to open. (The lighting has been addressed by management)Headquarters 3 rd floor is slanted and looks like it is leaning forward, especially in thelibrary.Headquarters offices require more than one electrical outlet.Headquarters doors are very heavy and do not open easily.Employees whose computers face windows stated that there was too much window glareon the computer screen. Flat monitors were recommended to solve this problem.Several Headquarters employees stated they were negatively affected by the drilling,dusting and placement of wallpaper in the hallways during working hours.24
Page 1 and 2: FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITYOF
Page 3 and 4: OSHA has provided Federal Agencies
Page 5 and 6: Federal employees must comply with
Page 7 and 8: INTER AGENCY SAFETY AND HEALTH AGRE
Page 9 and 10: Interagency Agreement between the F
Page 11 and 12: their own Employee Assistance progr
Page 13 and 14: The current Chairman FLRA has consi
Page 15 and 16: The FLRA - UAE Agreement, Article X
Page 17 and 18: completed an Agency Employee Assist
Page 19: positive effect on employee emotion
Page 23 and 24: equipment which includes a first ai
Page 25 and 26: Francisco Regional Office=s use of
Page 27 and 28: FLRA managers and staff have not be
Page 29: Finding 5: The interagency agreemen

Internal Review of FLRA's Occupational Safety and Health

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