New safety program for Napa State Hospital
8:16 AM - November 15, 2013
Local 1000 fights to protect our members and sees results
A new Injury and Illness Prevention Program – developed with
input from Local 1000 – will roll out over the next year at Napa
State Hospital (NSH). Designed to improve the safety and
well-being of NSH employees, the new program features education
and training, risk assessments, safety inspections, comprehensive
reporting and an emergency response and action plan.
Employee safety is a constant concern for our members working at
NSH, and Local 1000 has fought over the years to change policies
to better protect them. Those efforts intensified in 2010 when
Donna Gross, a psychiatric technician, was strangled by an
inmate. After this tragic incident, the California Division of
Occupational Safety and Health (CalOSHA) cited NSH for several
health and safety violations, and Local 1000 took steps that
guaranteed our involvement in any changes made as a
result.
“Our members deserve a safe work environment, and they shouldn’t
have to come to work every day and wonder if they are going to
become a victim of assault,” said Kim Cowart, chair of Bargaining
Unit 17. “Our members rallied, participated in worksite actions
and demanded protections – and they were heard. We are seeing
results for our hard work, but there is still more work to be
done to make sure all of the state mental health institutions are
safe.”
Local 1000 Attorney Brooke Pierman provided legal input to Local
1000 members helping to formulate the new program. “We are
optimistic that the Injury and Illness Prevention Program will
create a safer working environment for all NSH employees, and we
will continue to work with CalOSHA to ensure the safety of our
members.”
Be sure to visit this website for any future updates.