Whistleblowing

[Ron Carey lives on]

Any retaliation for contacting OSHA, is a just cause filing a grievance under article 37 in the national master ( harassment) as 10 point said document everything with notarized signatures from witnesses. Keep your nose clean while you are pursuing this. Have a steward handy, for any investigative interviews from management.

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[Ashell]

The company knows how to handle OSHA. OSHA will ask about the safety practices, and UPS will show them all the crap we "memorize" and fill out, but no one ever does. They show them the safety committee, that is really just a bunch of people sitting around getting extra time. Its a song and dance by the company.

I'm not sure the hazmat area being next to were you work is an actual complaint. You would have to have proof that hazardous fumes were being given off and you were breathing them in. Proof is a big word at the company and they will make sure you don't have it. They can enter a to/from label into the system and say there was anything they want in that box, whether that package was actually shipped or not. If you have a picture of a open or broken chemical bottle that is marked, and you can confirm there is a health hazard go for it. Otherwise, the company will retaliate. They won't give you proof. You might not even know its going on, in documentation you will never see. Maybe if the sups get sloppy, and you document everything, you might catch them too, but its tough.

They already moved it there out of desperation. They likely won't move it again. Just asked to be moved to a different area and make it some other persons problem. They can get lung cancer down the road or have kids born with 1 arm and leg, but either way its not your problem.

 

[BrownBrokeDown]

They already moved it there out of desperation. They likely won't move it again. Just asked to be moved to a different area and make it some other persons problem. They can get lung cancer down the road or have kids born with 1 arm and leg, but either way its not your problem.

And this summarizes the problem with America these days, "not my problem anymore so it's alright for you to die and your kids to have birth defects". Wow, just wow.

 

[Xexys]

The company knows how to handle OSHA. OSHA will ask about the safety practices, and UPS will show them all the crap we "memorize" and fill out, but no one ever does. They show them the safety committee, that is really just a bunch of people sitting around getting extra time. Its a song and dance by the company.

I'm not sure the hazmat area being next to were you work is an actual complaint. You would have to have proof that hazardous fumes were being given off and you were breathing them in. Proof is a big word at the company and they will make sure you don't have it. They can enter a to/from label into the system and say there was anything they want in that box, whether that package was actually shipped or not. If you have a picture of a open or broken chemical bottle that is marked, and you can confirm there is a health hazard go for it. Otherwise, the company will retaliate. They won't give you proof. You might not even know its going on, in documentation you will never see. Maybe if the sups get sloppy, and you document everything, you might catch them too, but its tough.

They already moved it there out of desperation. They likely won't move it again. Just asked to be moved to a different area and make it some other persons problem. They can get lung cancer down the road or have kids born with 1 arm and leg, but either way its not your problem.

Ok, so here's an example for you and only you.

Once, an item in an unmarked box broke open and upon further inspection it was deemed a hazardous material item. It was taken to the haz mat area for further review. While inspecting the material inside the unmarked brown box, it simply exploded, spewing a yellowish pink substance that quickly engulfed the entire area with a stench that is beyond words. Not only that, it was actually burning the clothes off of a supervisor that just happened to be walking by the area. The whole area was quickly shut down as nobody was prepared for such an instance. Yes, the haz mat personnel did not have masks on nor anybody in the affected area was prepared for what had happened.

It was a wake up call to the procedures that were in place and really the only thing that came of this was to put in a ventilation unit. I say they had the opportunity to move it at this point. I don't recall if the item was ever identified. I transferred a short time later and never did find out what became of the instance.

So if I become crippled in some way it's not my problem? It is this reaction by you that is the problem. How do you even know that they moved it there out of desperation? Do you even know where it is that I am describing? I think my story would/could be corroborated by all the individuals that were present. Not only that, it was so putrid that a large portion of the building had to be cordoned off. There were many management personnel there also. It was an accident waiting to happen and it did just that and when it did, they weren't prepared.

 

[ncupser82]

Osha showed up here not too long ago. Escorted by law enforcement, he said its to keep the boss under control. (apparently thats an issue with some employers when the law shows up to tell you that you cant be a .) Someone else said it's because the company was in contempt for previous violations. as far as I know anonymity was kept. I believe thats the law. I heard the center manager chewed his fingers raw.

I'd love to put my center manager in that position...hate that man with a passion!

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[BigUnionGuy]

Any retaliation for contacting OSHA, is a just cause filing a grievance under article 37 in the national master.

Not to mention.... protections, provided by the Federal Government.

https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/whistleblower_rights.pdf

http://www.whistleblowers.gov



-Bug-

 

[Jas85374]

We found it was better to give a contact name, phone number and sign the letter because they will contact you in the future to see if the company is still compliant with their served paperwork.
They also keep you up to date on proceedings and the target result.

IF there becomes an issue with harassment from management for contacting OSHA just remind them of the "whistleblower act" and they'll back off immediately.
Google it and you'll see why.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

They still take you're name, and have you sign, and keep in touch. The only thing is they report it as anonymous to UPS.

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[TurboSnail]

I would file anonymously with OSHA to get your concern resolved. You can call the Help Line, but that's like calling into Hell to report Satan. They are on the same team. I called once the Help Line on a Friday to report a DM's ethical violation. When I got to work on the following Monday I was told my DM was in browns and pacing around my car like an animal. Harassment rides followed so don't believe on the company's "No Retaliation" policy.


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[10 point]

Not to mention.... protections, provided by the Federal Government.

https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/whistleblower_rights.pdf

http://www.whistleblowers.gov



-Bug-

Whistleblower Act charges have to be filed in 30 days from the incident.
It's much more effective and costly than Art 37 for the company if you get traction.

 

[10 point]

I would file anonymously with OSHA to get your concern resolved. You can call the Help Line, but that's like calling into Hell to report Satan. They are on the same team. I called once the Help Line on a Friday to report a DM's ethical violation. When I got to work on the following Monday I was told my DM was in browns and pacing around my car like an animal. Harassment rides followed so don't believe on the company's "No Retaliation" policy.


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Agreed.
Call the cops if they harass you while driving or on the street working. Get a friend to video you all day while they're riding with you.
Do your job and let them make the mistakes on video.
There's retaliation for internal reporting. Go outside the system and document everything.

 

[104Feeder]

Several times with excellent results. I always had my name front and center, no fear here. One time resulted in some Regional person screaming about me on a conference call demanding retaliation. I'm still here.

 

[10 point]

One side note:
If your management team is one that reacts to resolve problems and complies with the safety committee resolutions we should use those channels first to fix issues in our work place IMO.

If not, you are forced to go outside of the system and if you have to go that route just remember that it's not your fault for doing so.
How many times per week do you hear "safety is the most important issue here at UPS"?

It is normally unless it costs money to address a safety issue. Mostly it's about liability and it's continuously morphing that way every year since our stock went public IMO.

 

[Integrity]

I know that this could "out" most all of you but I'm wondering if anyone has had the cajones to make the call. You know, call OSHA for a violation at UPS.

I once had a very big problem working as an Overgoods clerk. They had put the Haz Mat area right next to my station. No wall, no vents, basically just stuck it there because they had no where else to put it. I made a huge stink about it and finally got them to change a few things about it, but still not up to code or my liking. I was so disgruntled about it I was seriously thinking about blowing the whistle on UPS but didn't know since I made such a big deal about it if my cover would be kept safe. While in the middle of all this, I actually couldn't finish it off as I got a transfer back to my original building for another clerk position. I heard that they didn't do a damn thing about the haz mat area since I left and nobody else picked up where I left off.

My question is, has anybody blown the whistle for an OSHA violation on UPS? Did it work and did OSHA keep your anonymity?

Xexys,

Yes, I have filed a complaint.

I felt more protected from retaliation when I did not remain anonymous as to the complaint.

Sincerely,
I

 

[AlwaysChafed]

We had an employee call OSHA and received a visit. It caused a stir for a day and things were "normal" thereafter. It would need to be constant, random visits. The only issue is employees could be fined as well. (I think)

 

[104Feeder]

We had an employee call OSHA and received a visit. It caused a stir for a day and things were "normal" thereafter. It would need to be constant, random visits. The only issue is employees could be fined as well. (I think)

That's not correct, the Employer is responsible for the safety of the workplace.

 

[AlwaysChafed]

That's not correct, the Employer is responsible for the safety of the workplace.

UPS isn't responsible for anything so it wouldn't matter. Maybe I'm thinking of TSA audits on runways.

 

[Johnny Paycheck]

The hazmat area in my hub is a couple desks and counters between the pit and the air belt.