Safety teams. Government and business organizations want them and use them, but are they legal?
BACKGROUND
Safety teams have become a popular means to recognize and prevent injuries in the workplace. In fact, organizations, such as OSHA, NIOSH, NIEHS, DOE, and the Ohio BWC, not only encourage safety teams, but have implemented them in their organizations. However, safety teams may not be legal as defined by NLRB Act Sections 2(5) and 8(a)(2).


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether safety teams are illegal labor organizations.


METHODS
A review of government regulations, safety programs, and safety teams was performed to create a framework of what types of safety programs/regulations are requested and/or required by a variety of government agencies. Next, these requirements were compared to existing case law on illegal labor organizations as defined by the NLRB.


RESULTS
Most safety teams and programs, even those implemented by the Federal Government, are illegal labor organizations as defined by NLRB Act Sections 2(5) and 8(a)(2).


CONCLUSIONS
The Federal Government needs to amend existing legislation and develop a revision of the NLRB Act that would allow safety teams to function legally in organizations without having to meet intrusive, constricting guidelines that may inhibit the value of safety teams.


CONCLUSIONS
Organizations must be aware that safety teams may be valuable in reducing job-related accidents and injuries but they may be illegal labor organizations.
Muscatello
Joseph R
JR
Heshizer
Brian P
BP
D006077:Government Agencies; D006801:Humans; D007750:Labor Unions; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010559:Personnel Management / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012449:Safety; D014481:United States; D014489:United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration