Occupational Disease
Local 2251's Executive Officers acknowledge that our members can be affected by occupational diseases. As such, we work with our Health & Safety Committee to support efforts for improvement in safety for our members.
The Impact of Occupational Disease
Occupational disease is an unfortunate reality that affects far too many workers and often times results in death. The members of United Steelworkers Union Local 2251 witnessed their Union brothers and sisters dying from various cancers and illnesses. Local 2251’s Executive Officers had good reason to believe that their members were affected by occupational diseases, and with the help of our Health & Safety Committee obtained confirmation from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). The total number of fatal occupational disease claims accepted by WSIB for the period of 2001 to 2005 was 24; an update on the number of fatalities from 2001 to 2007 was 40.
Plans to hold an Occupational Disease Intake Clinic were in place and formalized in November of 2007. A two-day clinic was held May 7th & 8th, 2008 at Algoma University’s George Leach Centre with help from numerous organizations, unions, volunteers from the community, etc. At our May clinic 462 workers, retirees and/or surviving family members were surveyed; and an additional 193 attended one of our 5 monthly mini-clinics which included the September clinic in Wawa. We are continuing with individual intakes on an appointment basis.
The information gathered is used to initiate claims with WSIB and is also entered in our confidential database.
Local 2251 will also use the information in our database to support our efforts for improvements in safety for our members. We will also be lobbying for improvements in WSIB system, including legislation to recognize the perils of the steel industry.
Occupational Disease Resources
The Company only monitors workplace exposures to the minimum standard requirements. All members have the ability to file abnormal exposures when they believe an exposure above the normal limits have been surpassed. The Union is recommending all members file this form along with the internal abnormal exposure form. Abnormal exposure documents may assist in future claims with WSIB for any possible occupational disease.
