While speaking at the National Safety Council Labor Caucus in San Diego, incoming IBEW International Safety Director David Mullen reported to the assembly (which was largely comprised of IBEW safety representatives) that the reporting of serious injuries and fatalities to the IBEW is lagging when compared to actual statistics. He reported that as of September, the International has knowledge of 27 fatalities while local unions have only reported 5 fatalities and 23 serious injuries nationwide.
Failure to report seriously curtails the International’s effort to record supporting evidence for safety changes with federal and other regulatory agencies. Local 1245 is ready to report serious accidents and fatalities. Mullen vowed to increase access to the accident reporting portal on the International website (known as Form 173) so local union staff designees can access it (currently, only business managers have access to the portal).
This year, the Local has reported four serious injuries that have been investigated and two that are currently pending. Members are asked to report any accidents or serious injuries to their business representative. They can also report injuries and accidents directly to Senior Assistant Business Manager Ralph Armstrong at RMA1@ibew1245.com or Safety Rep Rich Lane at rvl5@ibew1245.com.