Union safety representatives at the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Portsmouth Site have been busy expanding their knowledge to better serve all workers.
Office of Environmental Management
October 8, 2024
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As part of their ongoing commitment to safety training, members of the United Steelworkers from the Portsmouth Site recently attended the Ohio Safety Conference. From left: Drew Oliver, Greg Fouch, Jason Knauff, Paige Cisco, Dave McClay, Alex Watts and Dusty Downour.
PIKETON, Ohio — Union safety representatives at the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Portsmouth Site have been busy expanding their knowledge to better serve all workers.
These safety advocates have attended multiple conferences over the past year, and taught at some of them.
Seven United Steelworkers (USW) safety representatives recently attended the Ohio Safety Conference to learn about new trends, including the latest technologies, and talk to experts about new research. The conference is hosted by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and is the largest free occupational safety event and expo in the country.
“All the courses that I took were very informative and had something to bring back to the plant site, from having a better understanding on industrial hygiene to knowing how to communicate better when situations arise,” said USW 689 Lead Safety Representative David McClay.
United Steelworkers representatives Tonia Brown, left, and Paige Cisco from the Portsmouth Site attended the Women of Steel Leadership Development Conference in Cleveland, Ohio. The conference focused on preparing women to take leadership roles in the union.
Paige Cisco, USW 689 safety representative, attended the Ohio event and served as a trainer at the national Next Generation Conference in Pittsburg, Indiana. Cisco says the opportunity to be part of these programs focusing on health, safety and leadership has been beneficial to her day-to-day responsibilities onsite.
“With the USW empowering me to further my education, I feel more confident when things arise in the workplace,” said Cisco. “Having other USW members from all over the country come together with the ability to discuss and problem-solve with health and safety issues is honestly incredible. At these conferences, they give tools to help problem-solve, understand regulations, show leadership and develop communication skills.”
This year, USW members also represented the site at the Women of Steel Leadership Development Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Black Labor Week Project in Gary, Indiana. Union member Tonia Brown, USW 689 member, attended both conferences.
“Our union encourages and promotes education for all union workers,” said Brown. “The conferences recognized the need for diversity in USW leadership and women working in all job capacities. The conferences have provided incredible learning opportunities in health and safety, history, labor education, labor law, bargaining and enforcing contracts, legislative and political strategies, social justice activism, and communication. I’m thankful for the opportunity and encourage all union members to take advantage of the opportunities.”
-Contributor: Cindi Remy
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