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BUILT - Building Trades Unions Ignite Less Tobacco
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INTRODUCTION
This Handbook is for Construction Workers
Voices from the Workplace
HEALTH PROBLEMS ON THE JOB
How Construction Work Can Affect Your Health
How Do I Know If the Construction Job I’m
Working on Is Hazardous?
Construction Hazards Chart
Some of the Chemicals in Cigarette Smoke
Secondhand Smoke Facts
The Odds Against Tobacco Users’ Health
Combining Tobacco Smoke & Workplace Toxics
MAKING THE WORKPLACE SAFER
How to Make the Job Safer
Checklist: Controlling Hazards
on Your Construction Site
Use the Right Respirator
Tips for Taking Action
Your Legal Rights to Health & Safety
What If Someone’s Smoking Indoors at the Work Site?
How to Use Cal/OSHA
Your Right to Know About Toxics on the Job
Reading Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS’s)
WHERE TO GET INFORMATION AND HELP
![Photo of Construction Workers](2.jpg) |
“What I like about
construction is
working outside and
working with my
hands. I can drive
through town and say,
‘Hey, I built that.’ But it’s a
dangerous job. Since 1991, in
our Local, at least twelve people
have been killed. You walk onto
a site and you don’t know what
you’re breathing, and you don’t
know who’s working with
what.” |
Many of the dangers of construction work are obvious. We’re all
familiar with safety hazards like unstable scaffolding, falling
objects, electric shocks and fires.
Other dangers, especially chemical hazards, are less obvious. Some are hidden. If you’re doing demolition work and breathe
in asbestos, you may not notice any effect at the time, but you
can develop lung cancer many years later. Other chemicals
have both short-term and long-term effects. You may feel sick
or dizzy right away when you work with adhesives, paints or
other materials that contain solvents. If you work with these
solvents for many years, they can damage your liver or nervous
system. Coal tar pitch used in roofing and roadwork may
irritate your eyes and nose right away and may cause cancer
years later.
For construction workers who smoke, the dangers are even
greater. When your body has to deal with tobacco smoke as
well as the dust and other chemicals at construction sites,
your risk of getting cancer, lung disease and other serious
illnesses is much higher. And the effects of tobacco use are
not limited to the user. Secondhand smoke causes over 53,000
deaths a year among non-smokers.
The purpose of this guide is to give you information you can use to
protect yourself. The focus is on the dangers of workplace
chemicals and tobacco smoke because you probably already
know about the common safety hazards on your job. This guide
is part of a health and safety training project that teaches people
in apprenticeship and vocational education programs how to
recognize chemical hazards on the job, including those from
tobacco, and how to plan strategies to make the workplace
safer.
Save this booklet. Share it with your co-workers.
Here are some statements about health and safety that you might hear
on the job. You may agree or disagree with each one. The information
after each statement will give you some facts.
![Photo of Construction Workers](3.jpg) |
“Wearing safety equipment slows
me down, so I never wear a mask or
respirator unless I really smell stuff.” |
Respirators and other safety equipment can be uncomfortable and
slow you down. But they can also save your life!
If toxic chemicals get into your body — through your skin or
lungs — they can cause serious harm. Some chemicals can
affect you right away, causing coughing, skin irritation,
dizziness or other symptoms. Other chemicals cause no shortterm
symptoms, so there is no warning that they may cause
serious long-term damage.
Don’t wait until you can smell a chemical to use your protective
equipment.
The nose is not a reliable way to measure danger. Some
chemicals smell bad, but are safe. Other chemicals have no
odor, but are deadly. One example is carbon monoxide — it’s
odorless and invisible, but it can kill.
The employer is responsible for making the workplace safe.
But if it isn’t possible to eliminate toxics from the work
environment, personal protective equipment is your last line
of defense.
![Photo of Construction Workers](4.jpg) |
“I’m being poisoned anyway, as long
as I’m breathing all this toxic stuff
at work, so why should I worry about
tobacco smoke? |
If you’re exposed to toxic chemicals at work, the risk to your health
will be higher if you also smoke cigarettes or have to breathe
someone’s secondhand smoke.
Tobacco smoke adds harmful chemicals to those already in
the work environment, increasing the risk.
- The more toxic exposure you have, the greater your risk.
Avoiding toxic chemicals on the job and toxic chemicals in
cigarettes are both important.
- The more toxic exposure you have, the greater your risk. Cigarettes make it easier for other toxic
substances to enter the body.
![Photo of Construction Workers](5.jpg) |
“If you’re going to get cancer,
you’re going to get it, no matter what you do.” |
If you smoke, your odds of dying from lung cancer are five times
higher than the odds for a non-smoker.
Many people can name someone they know who never
worked with cancer-causing chemicals, who never smoked, but
who died of cancer anyway. We also know people who smoke
and live long lives. These cases are exceptions because the
Surgeon General has proven that cigarette smoking causes 83%
of all lung cancers and about 30% of other kinds of cancer.
If you are exposed to cancer-causing chemicals on the job and also
smoke, your risk of getting cancer multiplies sharply.
Other chemicals (not just those in cigarettes) also increase
your risk of cancer. There is no doubt that thousands of
cancer deaths could be prevented by reducing workers’
exposure to asbestos, nickel, chromium and other toxics.
![Photo of Construction Workers](6.jpg) |
“Smoking makes exposure to
workplace chemicals even more
deadly.” |
Smoking or breathing secondhand smoke increases the risk from
toxic chemicals for several reasons.
First, smoking means more chemicals for your body to
handle. For example, welding on the construction site
produces carbon monoxide. Tobacco smoke also contains
carbon monoxide, so you’re getting a much larger dose.
Long-term exposure to carbon monoxide weakens the heart.
Also, when the chemicals in tobacco smoke combine with
certain other cancer-causing substances – for example,
asbestos – the combination greatly increases the risk of lung
cancer. An asbestos worker who doesn’t smoke has 5 times
the risk of lung cancer as the general population, while an
asbestos worker who smokes has more than 50 times the risk
of lung cancer.
![Photo of Construction Workers](7.jpg) |
“When I looked over,
there was a big cloud.
All of a sudden
nobody could breathe.
I don’t know what type
of cleaner it was, some
new stuff. It just choked us
immediately. The boss and
manager were right there. They
didn’t say anything.” |
HEAD
Dizziness, headaches.
Common causes: Solvents, ozone, noise, eye strain,
smoke (including tobacco).
NOSE & THROAT
Sneezing, coughing, sore throat.
Common causes: Cement, fiberglass, wood dust,
solvents, welding fumes, smoke
(including tobacco).
SKIN
Redness, dryness, rash,
itching, skin cancer.
Common causes: Solvents, cement, fiberglass,
wood dust.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Nervousness, irritability,
sleeplessness, tremors.
Common causes:
Long-term solvent exposure, longterm
lead exposure, job stress.
EYES
Red, watery, irritated.
Common causes: Cement, wood dust, fiberglass,
welding fumes, smoke (including
tobacco).
CHEST & LUNGS
Wheezing, coughing, shortness of
breath, lung cancer.
Common causes: Cement, fiberglass, wood dust,
welding fumes, smoke (including
tobacco), solvents.
STOMACH
Nausea, vomiting, stomach ache.
Common causes: Some wood dust, solvents, long-term
lead exposure, job stress.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
For men: low sperm count, damage
to sperm.
For women: irregularities in
menstruation, miscarriage,
damage to egg or fetus.
Common causes: Lead, toluene, some other solvents.
- Is there a lot of dust in the air?
The air on construction sites, especially during demolition
work, can contain asbestos, silica, cement dust, fiberglass
and wood dust. Most of these dusts can irritate your eyes,
nose and lungs. Some can cause bronchitis, asthma and
even cancer.
- Do any of the materials you work with contain solvents?
Varnishes, wood sealers, paints, thinners, adhesives and
many other construction materials contain solvents. They
can get into your body through your skin or when you
breathe the vapors. Solvents can give you headaches and
make you dizzy. If you work with them for many years, they
may damage your liver or nervous system.
- Do you use any materials that contain polyurethane or
epoxy resins?
Many construction materials — like adhesives, sealants,
waterproofing agents, floor and wall coverings — are made
up of isocyanate (the raw material for polyurethane) or epoxy
resin systems. The chemicals in these systems can get into
your body through your skin, or when you breathe the mists
or vapors. They can irritate your nose, eyes, throat and lungs.
Some people may develop an allergic reaction, similar to
asthma.
- What are other trades
doing nearby?
In construction work,
someone else’s work may
produce welding fumes,
chemical vapors, asphalt
smoke or other toxic
hazards. These can
affect everyone in the
vicinity. Be aware of what
other trades are doing,
and protect yourself.
- Are you exposed to cigarette smoke?
If you or someone else smokes on the job, you’re being
exposed to many more toxic substances. Cigarette smoke
contains over 4,000 chemicals.
DUSTS |
Source |
Health Effects |
ASBESTOS |
Maintenance and demolition
work; roof tear-offs.
Construction: floor tile,
roofing materials, drywall
compounds, gaskets, packing
materials, electric insulation,
corrosion resistant coatings,
heat resistant materials,
asbestos cement pipe and
sheet. |
Short-term: Lung irritation
(if very high levels).
Long-term: Asbestosis
(scarring of the lungs);
cancer of the lung, stomach,
and intestinal tract.
Asbestos workers who
smoke have over 10 times
the cancer risk of asbestos
workers who do not smoke. |
SILICA |
Maintenance; remodeling;
demolition work; application
of fireproof coatings;
sandblasting; tunneling. |
Long-term: Serious,
incurable lung disease
(silicosis). |
CEMENT |
Construction and
demolition of foundations,
sidewalks and floors. |
Short-term: Eye, nose, skin
and lung irritation. Causes
skin rashes and infection.
Allergic skin rashes.
Long-term: Small decrease
in lung function, wheezing,
shortness of breath. |
WOOD DUST |
Construction, remodeling
and demolition. Sawing:
wood, plywood, particle
board. |
Short-term: Allergic skin
rash, asthma, nasal
irritation, skin and eye
irritation.
Long-term: Nasal cancer. |
FIBERGLASS
& OTHER
INSULATION
MATERIALS |
Insulation on pipes, other
insulation, air conditioning. |
Short-term: Skin, eye, nose
and throat irritation;
shortness of breath.
Long-term: May cause lung
cancer. |
CONTROLS FOR DUSTS |
ASBESTOS
|
Asbestos removal jobs may be done only by
licensed asbestos contractors.
Isolate asbestos work and provide exhaust
ventilation or dust collecting device.
Keep material wet while removing it.
Wear special protective clothing and correct
respirators.
Remove clothing and shower before
leaving enclosed area.
Post caution signs and
labels.
Smoking should be prohibited. |
OTHER DUSTS |
Wear the correct respirator if required (not a
paper dust mask).
Vacuum or wipe off surfaces using wet mop or
rags. (Avoid sweeping and blowing away dusts to
clear surfaces.)
Keep work materials wet where possible when
sanding, grinding, sawing, etc.
Don’t drink, eat or smoke in work area.
Wash hands before eating and before breaks.
Change clothing and, where possible, shower
before going home.
Use local exhaust ventilation if not working in
an open area.
Isolate dusty operations such as sawing and
sanding to reduce worker exposure. |
METALS
Dusts & Fumes |
Source |
Health Effects |
CADMIUM,
CHROMIUM,
COPPER,
ZINC,
MAGNESIUM |
Welding; drilling, cutting
and sawing pipes; scraping
rust or coatings. |
Short-term: Metal dusts
can be irritating to skin,
nose, eyes and lungs.
Effects of fumes differ
depending on metal (see
MSDS). Some metals
(such as zinc, copper, and
magnesium) cause metal
fume fever (flu-like
symptoms with fever,
nausea, chills and
muscular aches and
pains).
Long-term: Depends on
metal (see MSDS).
Cadmium and chromium
can cause cancer. |
LEAD |
Cable splicing,
demolition, remodeling,
painting, pipefitting,
plumbing, roofing,
sheetmetal, iron work,
welding on lead or surfaces
with lead paint or coatings;
brass fixtures may release
lead. |
Short-term: Effects are
very rare. If exposure is
high, symptoms similar to
long-term effects may
occur.
Long-term: Damage to
brain and nerves (tremors,
muscular weakness, lack of
coordination), damage to
reproductive systems (men
and women), stomach
problems, anemia, damage
to kidneys. |
CONTROLS FOR METALS |
METAL DUSTS |
Wear the correct respirator if required (not a
paper dust mask).
Vacuum or wipe off surfaces using wet mop or
rags. (Avoid sweeping and blowing away dusts to
clear surfaces.)
Keep work materials wet where possible when
sanding, grinding, sawing, etc.
Don’t drink, eat or smoke in work area.
Wash hands before eating and before breaks.
Change clothing and, where possible, shower
before going home.
Use local exhaust ventilation if not working in an
open area.
Isolate dusty operations such as sawing and
sanding to reduce worker exposure. |
METAL FUMES |
Avoid welding on toxic metals or coatings; brush
or scrub off coatings first.
Natural ventilation is often adequate in open
areas.
Position yourself so that fumes don’t blow into
your face.
Use local exhaust ventilation in indoor areas or
confined spaces.
Wear the correct respirator when ventilation or
other controls are not possible.
Lead: Shower and change clothes to avoid
bringing lead home to your family. |
SOLVENTS |
Special Hazards |
Source |
BENZENE |
Causes leukemia. |
These solvents may be
found in:
Varnishes
Finishes
Wood sealers
Thinners
Paints
Adhesives
Cleaning and degreasing
solutions
Other products |
METHYLENE
CHLORIDE |
May cause cancer. |
TOLUENE |
Liver and kidney damage
at high levels.
May cause birth defects. |
TRICHLOROETHYLENE |
Liver damage.
May cause cancer. |
Health Effects |
CONTROLS FOR SOLVENTS |
Most solvents you work with,
including acetone, TCE or other
degreasers, affect your health in
similar ways:
Short-term:Most organic
solvents affect the brain the same
way drinking alcohol does.
Overexposure causes symptoms
resembling drunkenness,
including headaches, “feeling
high,” nausea, dizziness, and at
high levels, loss of coordination.
Other short-term health effects
are eye, nose and throat irritation,
and skin rash.
Long-term: Repeated, frequent
overexposure over months or
years may cause long-lasting
damage to the central nervous
system (the brain and nerves). |
Where possible, ubstitute materials that
are less toxic.
Use ventilation to remove vapors.
Wear the correct respirator (refer to
MSDS).
Wear proper protective clothing, correct
gloves, goggles, face shields.
No smoking. No open flame nearby.
Vapors can build up quickly and become
extremely dangerous in confined spaces.
Follow OSHA confined space entry
procedures where required. (These
include pretesting atmosphere before
entry; mechanical ventilation of space;
respirators; rescue person.) Many
fatalities occur in confined spaces. |
OTHER CHEMICALS |
Source |
Health Effects |
EPOXY RESINS
|
Impermeable
paint, primer for
hardwood floors,
surface paint and
adhesive for
concrete walls.. |
Short-term: Irritation
of eyes, nose and throat.
Long-term: Asthma. |
POLYURETHANES
(ISOCYANATES) |
Seam sealers,
polyurethane
insulation,
electrical wire
coatings. |
Short-term: Irritation
of eyes, nose and throat.
Long-term: Asthma,
other allergic lung
diseases. May cause
cancer. If workers get
sensitized to these
chemicals, they will
become seriously ill at
the slightest exposure. |
COAL TAR PITCH |
Roofing, road
work. |
Short-term: Irritation of
eyes, nose, throat and
lungs. Burns, skin
irritation, increased
sensitivity to sunlight.
Long-term: Cancer of
the lungs, skin and other
parts of the body. |
CONTROLS FOR OTHER CHEMICALS |
EPOXY RESINS
AND
POLYURETHANES |
When possible, use one-component products where
chemicals are already polymerized.
When spraying, use the correct air-supplied full face
respirator (see MSDS).
Avoid skin and eye contact.
Wear safety goggles and gloves.
Get proper training.
Never smoke or use an open flame around these
chemicals, which are fire and explosion hazards...
DANGER! If you smell it, get out! |
COAL TAR PITCH |
Where possible, substitute less harmful materials
such as coal tar enamel.
Keep melt temperature as low as possible.
Install devices to reduce exposure when loading.
Keep kettle covers in good shape and closed
whenever possible.
Wet down old pitch roofs before and during tear-offs.
If dust is high, wear the correct respirator.
Wear eye protection.
Protect the skin, even in hot weather.
Launder work clothes often.
Wash up before eating, smoking, drinking and going
home.
If soap and water are not available use waterless
cleaner, not gasoline. |
There are over 4,000 chemicals in
cigarette smoke. More than 50 of
them are known to be carcinogens
(to cause cancer). Many of the
chemicals in cigarette smoke are also
found in the workplace and regulated
by OSHA. Some are found in common
household products. This is a small sample of
the toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke.Acetaldehyde: Used in glues and resins;
suspected carcinogen; may increase the
absorption of other hazardous chemicals
into the bronchial tubes.
Acetone: Used in solvents; irritating to
the throat, nose, and eyes; long-term
exposure can cause liver and kidney
damage.
Acrolein: Used in polyester resins and
herbicides; an ingredient in tear gas and
other chemical warfare agents; extremely
toxic; intensely irritating to the upper
respiratory tract and eyes.
Acrylonitrile: Used in synthetic resins,
plastics and rubber, and as a fumigant;
also known as “vinyl cyanide”; suspected
human carcinogen.
1-aminonaphthalene: Used in weed
control; causes cancer.
2-aminonaphthalene: Banned in
industrial uses; causes bladder cancer.
Ammonia: Used in cleaners; causes
asthma and elevated blood pressure.
Benzene: Used in solvents, pesticides
and gasoline; causes leukemia and other
cancers.
Benzo[a]pyrene: Found in coal tar pitch,
creosote, and some asphalts; causes skin
cancer, lung cancer and reduction in
reproductive capacity.
1,3-Butadiene: Used in rubber, latex, and
neoprene products; suspected carcinogen.
Butyraldehyde: Used in solvents and
resins; powerful inhalation irritant; affects
the lining of nose and lungs
.
Cadmium: Used in non-corrosive metal
coatings, bearings, pigments and storage
batteries; causes cancer; damages kidneys,
liver and brain.
Carbon Monoxide: Produced by burning
(in gasoline engines, welding, gas-powered
tools, etc.); decreases heart and muscle
function; causes fatigue, dizziness, weakness;
especially toxic for the unborn, infants and
people with lung or heart disease.
Catechol: Used as an antioxidant in dyes,
inks and oils; causes high blood pressure,
upper respiratory tract irritation and
dermatitis.
Chromium: Used in metal plating and
alloys, wood treatment and preservatives,
and pigments; causes lung cancer. Stainless
steel welding involves the greatest
exposure.
Cresol: Used in solvents, disinfectants,
and wood preservatives; highly irritating
to the skin; acute inhalation levels cause
upper respiratory, nasal and throat
irritation.
Crotonaldehyde: Used as a warning agent
in fuel gases; causes chromosome
aberrations; reported to interfere with
immune function.
Formaldehyde: Part of resin used in
particleboard, fiberboard, and plywood,
also used in foam insulation. Causes nasal
cancer; can damage lungs, skin and
digestive system.
Hydrogen Cyanide: Used in the
production of resins and acrylic plastics
and as a fumigant; released in metal
treatment operations and metal ore
processing; used for executions in some
states’ gas chambers; weakens lungs; causes
nausea, headaches, and fatigue.
Hydroquinone: Used in paints, varnishes
and motor fuel; causes eye injuries, skin
irritation and central nervous system
effects.
Isoprene: Used in rubber; similar to 1,3-
butadiene; causes irritation to the skin,
eyes and mucous membranes.
Lead: Used in paint and metal alloys
(solder, brass, bronze); damages brain,
nerves, kidneys and reproductive system;
causes anemia and stomach problems;
may cause cancer; particularly toxic to
children.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
(MEK): Used in solvents; irritating to
nose, throat, and eyes; depresses the
central nervous system.
Nickel: Used in stainless steel, other metal
alloys and alkaline batteries; causes upper
respiratory irritation, bronchial asthma
and cancer.
Nicotine: Used as a highly controlled
insecticide; exposure can result in seizures,
vomiting, depression of the central
nervous system, growth retardation,
developmental toxicity in fetuses; mild nicotine poisoning results in diarrhea,
increase in heart rate and blood pressure,
headache, dizziness and neurological
stimulation.
Nitric Oxide: Created by combustion of
gasoline; major contributor to smog and
acid rain; linked to Huntington’s disease,
Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease
and asthma.
NNN, NNK, and NAT: These compounds
are found only in tobacco, NNN causes
cancer and may cause reproductive
damage; NNK is a powerful lung
carcinogen; NAT is a possible carcinogen.
Phenol: Used in resins in plywood and
other construction materials and in epoxy
resins; highly toxic; affects the liver, kidney,
respiratory, cardiovascular and central
nervous system.
Propionaldehyde: Used as a disinfectant;
causes irritation of the skin, eyes and
respiratory system.
Pyridine: Used in solvents; causes eye and
upper respiratory tract irritation; causes
nausea, headaches and nervousness; may
cause liver damage.
Quinoline: Used as a corrosion inhibitor
and as a solvent for resins; causes genetic
mutations; possible human carcinogen;
severe eye irritant; linked to liver damage.
Resorcinol: Used in laminates, resins and
adhesives; irritating to skin and eyes.
Styrene: Used in insulation, fiberglass,
pipes and plastic; possible human
carcinogen; may cause leukemia; causes
headaches, eye irritation, slowed reaction
time, fatigue and dizziness.
Toluene: Used in solvents, oils and resins;
highly toxic; causes fatigue, confusion,
weakness, memory loss, nausea, loss of
appetite and drunken-type actions; linked
to permanent brain damage.
You may be smoking, whether
or not you ever put a cigarette
in your mouth. If you work
where people smoke, you may
inhale the equivalent of a pack
a day of other people’s smoke.
Here are some facts about
secondhand smoke.
- Secondhand smoke contains 4,000 chemicals, including over 50
known carcinogens. Smoke from the tip of a cigarette has 20 times
the carcinogens as smoke inhaled by a smoker.
- Secondhand smoke is the third leading preventable cause of death
in America, killing over 53,000 nonsmokers every year. 50,000 of
these deaths are from heart disease. 3,000 are from lung cancer.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified
secondhand smoke as a Group A carcinogen — a substance known
to cause cancer in humans. There is no safe level of exposure to
Group A carcinogens, which also include asbestos and benzene.
- If you breathe secondhand smoke, your health risk is higher if
you’re also exposed to toxic chemicals. For example, tobacco smoke
contains hydrogen cyanide, a chemical that paralyzes the cilia (tiny
filtering hairs) in your lungs. That makes it harder for your lungs
to filter out other toxics.
- Tobacco smoke adds harmful chemicals to those already in the
work environment, increasing the total amount you’re exposed to
and increasing the risk of cancer, heart disease, asthma, respiratory
problems and other diseases.
- Breathing secondhand smoke means more chemicals for your body
to handle. For example, welding on the construction site produces
carbon monoxide. Tobacco smoke also contains carbon monoxide,
so you are getting a much larger dose. Long-term exposure to
carbon monoxide weakens the heart.
- When the chemicals in tobacco smoke combine with certain other
cancer-causing substances, such
as asbestos, the combination
greatly increases the risk
of lung cancer.
- Secondhand smoke hurts
kids by causing ear
infections and respiratory
problems such as asthma.
It also has been linked to
Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS).
- California law bans
smoking in indoor
workplaces to protect
workers from secondhand
smoke. Some employers
and some local laws ban
smoking in outdoor areas, too.
Smoking causes:
- 90% of lung
cancer deaths
- 80% of emphysema
and chronic
bronchitis deaths
- 30% of cancer
deaths
![](12.jpg)
- 20% of heart
disease deaths
Each year, over 400,000
Americans die prematurely
because of smoking. Smoking kills
more Americans each year than alcohol, cocaine, crack,
heroin, homicide, suicide, car crashes, fires and AIDS
combined. Smoking also causes impotence.
CHEWING TOBACCO
Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking.
Chewing tobacco causes cancer of the mouth, larynx and
esophagus. Long-term “chew” users are 50 times more likely
to get cancer of the cheek and gum than non-users.
Chewing tobacco contains arsenic, cyanide, lead and benzene.
It also contains fiberglass and dirt, which cause abrasions on
the skin so the tobacco can enter the bloodstream more
readily. Chewers get three times as much nicotine as
smokers. It can be even harder to quit chew than cigarettes.
QUITTING
In the last 25 years, nearly half of
all American adults who ever
smoked have quit. Millions
and millions of people
have quit. But most
smokers try several
times before they quit
permanently. Nicotine
is a highly addictive
drug. The reason people
use tobacco is to satisfy
their addiction to nicotine. Quitting smoking or
chewing tobacco can be at
least as difficult as quitting
cocaine or heroin.
DON’T GIVE UP
For help in quitting, contact the California Smokers’
Helpline. This program provides free and confidential
telephone counseling to help you quit smoking or chewing
tobacco.
(800) 662-8887 (English)
(800) 456-6386 (Spanish)
(800) 400-9866 (Mandarin and Cantonese)
(800) 778-8440 (Vietnamese)
(800) 556-5564 (Korean)
(800) 933-4833 (TDD/TTY)
(800) 844-2439 (Chewing Tobacco)
When tobacco smoke combines with other toxics in the workplace,
there is extra danger to your health.
- Some combinations ADD TO the odds against your
health.
If you smoke, your lungs aren’t as good at keeping other
chemicals out. Tobacco smoke damages your lungs’ ability to
protect themselves against other toxic substances you may
inhale.
LUNGS: The odds of construction workers getting bronchitis,
asthma or other lung diseases are high because you may work
with asphalt, coal tar, treated wood and other lung hazards.
Tobacco smoke makes it harder for your lungs to get rid of
those chemicals.
Smoking also means more chemicals for your body to handle.
Your body may be able to stand small amounts of some
chemicals, but not larger amounts. Tobacco smoke can cause
higher levels of the same harmful chemicals you’re already
exposed to on the job. It also adds other harmful chemicals.
HEART: Welding on a construction site produces carbon
monoxide. Tobacco smoke also contains carbon monoxide.
You may not feel sick with a 5 to 10% level of carbon
monoxide in your blood. But a 10 to 20% level can cause
headaches and make you abnormally tired. Long-term
exposure to carbon monoxide weakens the heart.
- Some combinations MULTIPLY the odds against your
health.
Some toxics can work together inside your body to strengthen
each other’s power to cause disease. This is called synergy.
For example, the odds against your health multiply when you
combine tobacco smoke with asbestos:
YOUR RISK OF GETTING LUNG CANCER MULTIPLIES
5 times if you are exposed to
asbestos but do not smoke.
11 times if you smoke but are not
exposed to asbestos.
53 times if you smoke AND are
exposed to asbestos.
Scientists suspect that tobacco smoke and the ferric oxide in
welding fumes also combine to multiply your risk of getting
cancer.![](14.jpg)
- If you smoke, you’re more
likely to have contact with
workplace chemicals.
Dangerous chemicals can enter
your body when you breathe
them, swallow them, or get them
on your skin. The dust from
some chemicals, like lead or
cadmium, may collect on your
cigarettes. Then, when you put a cigarette to your lips and
inhale, you are not only taking in tobacco smoke, you are also
taking in extra toxics.
- Smoking on the job increases the risk of fire and
explosion.
- Smokers are more likely to have job injuries because
they can be distracted by eye irritation, coughing or
having only one hand free.
![Photo of Construction Workers](15.jpg) |
“Pues, si uno lo hace
por necesidad, por la
familia, pero uno debe
pensar en su salud,
que mañana no voy a
estar aquí.”
“Well, we work out of necessity,
for the family. But you have to
think about your health — that
tomorrow, I might not be here.” |
There are different ways to reduce chemical hazards on the job. The
best ways are to stop using the most toxic materials, or to design the
work and equipment so that no one is exposed to toxics.
USE SAFER CHEMICALS.![](16.jpg)
Sometimes you can use a substance that
is less toxic. For example, many
of the materials you work
with contain solvents.
Water-based or alcoholbased
solvents are
usually safer than“chlorinated
hydrocarbons”
(solvents with chlorine
in them) and “aromatic
hydrocarbons” (like
toluene and xylene).
But always check out the
hazards of the substitute to make
sure it is really less hazardous.
DESIGN THE JOB AND EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT
EXPOSURE TO TOXICS.
It’s better to prevent the hazard from ever reaching a worker
than to rely on protective clothing or gear. For example, local
exhaust ventilation (a “sucker” that pulls dust or welding
fumes away right at the source) gets rid of a toxic substance
before anyone has a chance to breathe it.
ENFORCE
SAFETY RULES![](17.jpg)
Work rules and
procedures can
help cut down
on your
exposure to
toxics. For
example,
keeping the
workplace clean
can limit the
amount of dusts in
the air and help reduce
other safety hazards.
Workers should never eat or smoke in
the work area. California’s law prohibiting smoking in indoor
workplaces eliminates exposure to secondhand smoke. Some
employers and local governments also ban smoking in
outdoor areas.
GIVE WORKERS PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
IF NECESSARY.
Goggles, gloves, respirators and other personal protective
equipment can help protect you against toxic hazards on the
job, but they don’t usually protect you completely. They
shield you from hazards rather than eliminating them. That’s
why you should rely on personal protective equipment only if
there is no better way to control the problem.
|
Yes |
No |
Is it easy to identify all the toxics on your site? For example, does every substance have a label with its name, hazards and manufacturer listed? Are MSDS’s (Material Safety Data Sheets) available for each substance? |
![](36.jpg) |
![](36.jpg) |
Is it possible to substitute less toxic materials for some of the hazardous substances used on the site? For example, can you use wood treated with less toxic preservatives? |
|
![](36.jpg) |
Are there ways to do the job that reduce exposure to toxic substances? For example, do workers use water to keep dust down? |
![](36.jpg) |
![](36.jpg) |
Where the work generates dust, welding fumes, vapors or toxic mists, is there a local ventilation system (a “sucker” or hood) that draws them away from the worker’s face? |
![](36.jpg) |
![](36.jpg) |
Does the employer measure the levels of asbestos, welding fumes, solvents or other hazards in the air? |
![](36.jpg) |
![](36.jpg) |
Has the employer trained everyone on the site about when to use a respirator, how to select the correct one and how to use it properly? Has the employer “fit-tested” everyone to make sure their respirators fit well? |
![](36.jpg) |
![](36.jpg) |
Are there written rules about entering confined spaces? Does the employer train people to protect themselves in confined spaces? |
![](36.jpg) |
![](36.jpg) |
Are products containing solvents used only in well-ventilated areas, and far away from welding operations? |
![](36.jpg) |
![](36.jpg) |
Do workers know that they shouldn’t use solvents to clean their hands? |
![](36.jpg) |
![](36.jpg) |
Do workers take showers and change clothes before going home, so they won’t take toxic materials with them? |
![](36.jpg) |
![](36.jpg) |
Do people avoid eating, drinking or smoking near toxic materials? Do they wash their hands before they eat, drink or smoke? |
![](36.jpg) |
![](36.jpg) |
Are all tools and equipment in good condition? |
![](36.jpg) |
![](36.jpg) |
Does your employer get workers together for regular safety meetings? |
![](36.jpg) |
![](36.jpg) |
Is the workplace smoke-free? |
![](36.jpg) |
![](36.jpg) |
Respirators can be hot and uncomfortable. You don’t
want to wear one if you don’t have to. They also
aren’t as effective as some other kinds of protection.
But if there is no way to remove a harmful material
from the air you are breathing (by using a safer
chemical, better ventilation or other controls), you will need to use a
respirator to protect yourself. Here are some guidelines to help you
decide if you’re getting the right protection.
CAUTION: If you have heart disease or respiratory problems, you should check with your doctor before using a respirator.
- Your employer must set up a respiratory protection
program.
If you need to use a respirator on the job, Cal/OSHA requires
your employer to set up a “respiratory protection program.”
The program should help you choose the right respirator,
make sure it fits, and get training about how to use it and take
care of it.
- No one respirator is right for all kinds of hazards.
![](19.jpg)
You can check the label on the respirator or on its cartridge to
find out what hazards it protects you from. Make sure it is
approved by “NIOSH” for protection against the hazards
you’re working with.
- DUST MASKS protect only against wood
dusts and other dusts that are not very
toxic. They don’t protect you against spray
mists or toxic dusts like asbestos, silica or
lead. They also will not protect you
against chemical vapors or secondhand
smoke. If you use a dust mask, make sure
it has a double strap and a good nose grip.
Never rely on single strap masks.
- DUAL CARTRIDGE RESPIRATORS
protect against various hazards. These
respirators use pairs of filters or
cartridges. Different filters and cartridges
protect against different hazards.
Use the right MECHANICAL FILTER for
dusts, metal fumes and mists.
Use the right CHEMICAL CARTRIDGE for toxic gases and vapors from solvents or paints.
Use a COMBINATION RESPIRATOR for all the above —
dusts, fumes, mists, gases and vapors. Combination respirators
are available for any set of inhalation hazards.
- AIR-SUPPLIED RESPIRATORS give you
fresh air from a tank or through an airline.
Use them
when you work in a confined
space where there is not enough oxygen to
breathe.
CAUTION: If there is a rip or tear in the
mask, it will not protect you from any
hazards.
- Make sure your respirator fits properly.
No one respirator will fit everyone. If your respirator does
not fit properly on your face, it will leak. You cannot tell if it
fits by how it feels. The law requires your employer to test
the fit to make sure no vapors or dusts can leak in around the
edges.
- Make sure your respirator is maintained properly.
Your respirator must be kept clean, and the cartridges or
filters should be changed regularly. A respirator with a
worn-out cartridge is worse than no respirator at all. (It’s
not protecting you, but it’s making it harder to breathe.)
![Photo of Construction Workers](18.jpg) |
“Just my brothers work there. It’s my
father’s shop. He never wears a
respirator. We never wore respirators.
Only those little paper dust masks.
We just assumed that was enough
protection. My father has been in the
business all his life and he’s healthy as a horse. But I
got asthma and the doctor says it’s from the fumes. We
should have paid more attention to those MSDS’s.” |
Once you have decided to try to improve health and safety on the
job, you need to do some planning. Here are some tips for coming
up with a realistic action plan.
Get support of co-workers.
No matter whether you’re trying to get your employer to
supply respirators that fit, install a ventilation system or
establish an outdoor workplace smoking policy, the first and most important step to take is to get the support of your
co-workers.
Change takes time.
It takes time to convince co-workers that it’s worth taking
some action to eliminate a hazard. In many workplaces,
people have found it useful to:
- Seek help from the union (or consider organizing one).
- Take a survey of the workforce to document the symptoms
and illnesses that seem to be related to each worker’s job.
- Identify other workers who are concerned.
- Identify resources for information and help.
- Have a meeting.
- Form a health and safety committee, or join one that’s
already been set up.
- Form a group to meet with the employer, or choose a
co-worker the employer will listen to.
![Photo of Construction Workers](23.jpg) |
“Basically, you come to your job to
work—not to die, not to get hurt. I
missed a year and a half of work
because some supervisor was stupid.
And I followed his instructions instead
of following my own common sense. During the year
and a half I was out of work, I lost my marriage, I lost
my house, I lost a whole lot besides my pay. Because
when you’re disabled, you lose your dignity, your
lose your money, you lose everything.” |
Talk to your employer.
Some employers take their responsibility for providing a safe
workplace seriously. Once they understand that conditions on
their sites can cause serious health problems, they will attempt
to cooperate in changing them. Some possible approaches are:
- Explain how serious the problem is.
- Explain how many workers’ compensation claims there
could be, and point out that they could be expensive and
increase insurance rates.
- Show how production, absenteeism and morale will
improve if hazards are reduced.
- Show the advantages of a health and safety committee.
- Request that the employer talk with their insurance carrier
about health and safety services the insurer may provide.
- Tell them about Cal/OSHA’s free consultation service for
employers.
If your employer won’t cooperate…
When employers don’t cooperate, workers still can:
- Seek help from a union (or consider organizing one).
- File a grievance (if there’s a contract).
- File a Cal/OSHA complaint or get someone else to file one.
- File a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board.
- Tell the press about the problem. Go public in the
community.
- Consider a job action or strike (only as a last resort).
THE RIGHT TO A SAFE WORKPLACE.
(California Labor Code §6400, 6401)
Both the federal and California Occupational Safety and
Health Acts say that an employer must provide a workplace
that is free from hazards and meets health and safety standards.
In California, Cal/OSHA regulations also say that your
employer must set up an effective injury and illness prevention
program (General Industry Safety Order 3203). This
regulation requires:
- A written plan with the name of the person who is
responsible for health and safety on the job.
- Information and training for workers about possible
hazards, given in a language that workers understand.
- A system for inspecting the workplace and correcting
hazards promptly.
- A system for workers to report hazards without fear of
being fired or punished in any way.
THE RIGHT TO A SMOKE-FREE INDOOR WORKPLACE.
(California Labor Code §6404.5)
California law says that no one shall smoke or permit
smoking in an enclosed workplace.
- “Indoor” means four walls and a ceiling. It doesn’t matter
whether there are windows, louvers or sliding doors that open.Smoking is permitted in outdoor workplaces, unless an
employer or a local ordinance bans it.
- Employers may provide breakrooms for smokers, as long
as they meet ventilation requirements and as long as
employers also provide non-smoking breakrooms.
![](24.jpg)
- If smoking is allowed in your indoor workplace, you have
the right to file a complaint. Different cities and counties
have different enforcement agencies.
Check with your local health
department to find the enforcement
agency in your area. If your employer
has had three violations within a
year, you can file a complaint with
Cal/OSHA.
THE RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT
HAZARDS ON YOUR JOB.
(California Labor Code §6398, 6399, 6408)
You have the right to know which toxic materials you work
with and how they may harm you. You also have the right to
see the results of any tests done to measure chemicals in your
workplace. You may see your medical records, and records of
injuries and illnesses related to work.
THE RIGHT TO FILE A HEALTH AND SAFETY COMPLAINT
WITH CAL/OSHA.
(California Labor Code §6309)
The fastest way to correct a hazard may be to deal with your
employer directly. But if this doesn’t work, you have the right
to file a complaint with Cal/OSHA. The law allows you to file
a complaint confidentially. Cal/OSHA won’t reveal who
made the complaint.
PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION FOR USING YOUR
HEALTH AND SAFETY RIGHTS.
(California Labor Code §6310)
An employer may not fire you, or punish you in any way, for
using the rights listed here. If your employer discriminates
against you for using your health and safety rights, contact
your union and/or the nearest office of the State Labor
Commissioner.
In some cases, you also have the right to refuse to do an
unsafe job without reprisal if there is a “real and apparent
hazard.” Before refusing to do hazardous work, always try to
get your employer to correct the hazard and/or inform
Cal/OSHA about it.
THE RIGHT TO SAFETY EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED BY THE
EMPLOYER.
(California Labor Code §6401, 6403)
The law requires that the employer provide you with safety and
protective equipment which is “reasonably adequate” to let you
do the job safely — like gloves, safety glasses and respirators.
You are not responsible for the cost.
THE RIGHT TO FILE A CLAIM FOR WORKERS’ COMPENSATION IF YOU GET SICK OR DISABLED
ON THE JOB.
(California Labor Code §3600)
If a job hazard injures you or makes you sick, or if it makes a
previous health problem get worse, workers’ comp will pay a
percentage of your wage while you are recovering. Workers’
comp also pays for related medical expenses. For details on
how to collect these benefits, call the toll-free number of the
Workers’ Compensation Information and Assistance Unit
(1-800-736-7401). You may also wish to contact a workers’
comp lawyer.
THE RIGHT TO MEDICAL TESTS
(California Labor Code §9040)
The law requires that employers give free medical tests to
anyone who works with asbestos, lead and a few other specific
hazardous materials. The law also says that your employer
must tell you the results of these tests.
FINDING LAWS AND REGULATIONS
The California Labor Code is available in most public libraries
and on the Internet. Cal/OSHA has many specific regulations,
called “standards,” which give more details on the rights
described in this section and other safety requirements. These are
found in Title 8 of the California Administrative Code, General
Industry Safety Orders and Construction Safety Orders. These
Cal/OSHA Standards are available on the Internet.
Even though California law prohibits smoking in indoor workplaces,
sometimes people still smoke there. Here are some tips about what
to do if someone smokes indoors at your workplace.
- Talk to your co-workers and see if the smoke is bothering
other people, too.
- Talk to the person who is smoking, and explain why the
smoke is not good for them, and others in the workplace.
- Talk to the employer and explain that they’ve got to
enforce the law.
- If you don’t feel comfortable doing these things, contact
your local public health department’s tobacco control
program and explain the problem. You have the right to
file a complaint directly with the health department
or other enforcement agency in your area. (The health
department people will tell you which agency enforces
the no-smoking law.)
- The enforcement agency can fine both the individual
smoker and the employer who allows smoking in an indoor
workplace. Even if the smoker is not an employee, he or
she can be fined. Generally, fines are $100 for the first
violation, $200 for the second violation and $500 for the
third violation.
- If your employer has had three violations within one year,
you have the right to file a complaint with Cal/OSHA.
OSHA Penalties can range up to $70,000 depending on the
seriousness of the situation.
When to File a Complaint
Often on construction sites, health and safety hazards are
present for only a short time. By the time Cal/OSHA can get
to the site, the hazard may not be there. It’s best if you, your
co-workers and your union can get hazards eliminated by
working directly with the employer. Sometimes, however,
you should call Cal/OSHA. You should do this:
- Immediately, if there is a situation that threatens someone’s
life.
- When there has been a serious injury on the job.
- When you or your union cannot resolve a health and safety
problem with the employer.
How to File a Complaint
- You may file your complaint by phone, in person or by mail.
If you phone in your complaint, it’s a good idea to document
it by following up in writing. To find your nearest Cal/OSHA
office, look in the State Government Pages of the phone
book (under “California, State of, Industrial Relations
Department, Occupational Safety and Health”).
- You do not have to use your name, but you can if you want.
Your name will be kept confidential. If you prefer, ask your
union representative to help you file the complaint or file it
for you.
- Try to make your complaint complete and convincing. Let
Cal/OSHA know how serious the problem is and how many
people may be affected. Describe exactly where the problem
is located (draw a diagram, if it helps). Explain what has
happened, or may happen, as a result. You don’t need to
specify which safety regulations you think are being violated.
How Will Cal/OSHA Respond to Your
Complaint?
- You will get the best results if
you call and follow up on your
complaint. Keep in touch with
the Cal/OSHA office.
- Cal/OSHA will review your
complaint, assign an inspector
and send him or her out to
conduct an unannounced
inspection. You and your
union rep have the right to go
with the inspector during the “walkaround” inspection.
If Cal/OSHA finds violations
of safety regulations, they
will order management to
fix the problem within a
specific period of time. They
also may require the employer to pay a fine.
If the employer appeals the citation, you and
your union rep have a right to participate
in the appeal process.
What Else Can Cal/OSHA Do to Help?
- If you and your employer agree to work together to
investigate and solve a health and safety problem,
Cal/OSHA can help you. Cal/OSHA has a free
Consultation Service that will assist employers or joint
labor-management committees.
- Your employer must get a permit from Cal/OSHA for certain
construction and demolition jobs. Before granting the
permit, Cal/OSHA may meet with the contractor, workers
and their union representatives to make sure the job will be
done safely.
Under California law, your employer must:
- LABEL
Label all containers of toxic materials. Proper labels have the name of the chemical, warnings about the chemical’s hazards
and the name and address of the manufacturer.
- TRAIN
Train every employee about the toxics used on the job.
The training must include information on the dangerous
chemicals you work with, how they can harm you, the
symptoms to watch out for and how to protect yourself.
- GIVE INFORMATION
Give you detailed information on each hazardous chemical
you work with, when you ask for the information. The main
source of this information is the MSDS (Material Safety Data
Sheet). Each hazardous chemical should have an MSDS.
Your employer is responsible for getting the MSDS for any
hazardous substance used on the job, and making sure you
can look at it. Your training must explain how to read the
MSDS.
— These requirements are found in California Administrative Code,
Title 8, General Industry Safety Order 5194.
You also have the right to see:
- Records of any company tests done to measure the level of
toxic chemicals in the workplace. (General Industry Safety
Order 3204)
- Your own medical records if the company keeps them.
(General Industry Safety Order 3204)
- Records of any illnesses and injuries that you and your
co-workers suffered because of conditions at work. The law
requires that an employer keep these records for five years.
They’re called “Log 200.” (General Industry Safety Order
3203)
- The employer’s written plan for preventing illness and
injury. This plan must include a way to identify and solve
health and safety problems. (General Industry Safety Order
3203)
If the employer refuses to give you any of this information,
you have the right to file a Cal/OSHA complaint. (California
Labor Code §6309)
![Photo of Construction Workers](26.jpg) |
“Some of the guys that I’ve worked
for just give you the chemical and
don’t tell you anything about the stuff.
They don’t say, ‘This stuff will hurt
you.’ They just say, ‘This is your shift,
do it.’ So if you don’t take it upon yourself to read
what’s on the can or to ask questions, you won’t
know what you’re getting into.” |
![MSDS Sheet Continued](28.jpg)
![](29.jpg) |
“We thought we
needed ventilation
because we were
working with MEK.
We found the MSDS
online. Then we and
our steward talked to the
employer. The employer was
reluctant, but finally agreed to
ask the Cal/OSHA Consultation
Service what we needed.” |
Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP), University of
California, Berkeley: Trains workers, unions, professionals and
others on health and safety. Sells publications and videos. Free
catalog is available. Free library open to the public. Offers assistance
on hazardous waste, chemicals, ergonomics, young workers, etc.
2223 Fulton Street, 4th Floor
Berkeley, CA 94720-5120
(510) 642-5507 • www.lohp.org
Labor Occupational Safety and Health Program (LOSH),
University of California, Los Angeles: Trains workers, unions and
others on health and safety. Sells publications and videos. Has a
Spanish language resource library. Offers assistance on hazardous
waste, chemicals, ergonomics, young workers, etc.
6350B Public Policy Building
PO Box 951478
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1478
(310) 794-5964 • www.sppsr.ucla.edu/res_ctrs/iir/losh
HESIS (Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service): A
program of the California Department of Health Services. Has free
library. Produces factsheets on chemicals and “Hazard Alerts” on
newly recognized hazards. Provides training, education and technical
assistance on workplace hazards to workers, health professionals, etc.
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1901
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 622-4317 (English) • (510) 622-4318 (Spanish)
(510) 622-4328 (publications) • (510) 622-4310 (fax)
http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ohb/HESIS/
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
(ACGIH): Publishes technical health and safety information,
including an “Industrial Ventilation Manual,” information on “threshold limit values” (the limits of safe exposure) for hundreds of hazardous chemicals, and many other publications. Ask for their
publication catalog.
1330 Kemper Meadow Drive, Suite #600
Cincinnati, Ohio 45240
Phone: (513) 742-2020. • www.acgih.org
Santa Clara Center for Occupational Safety and Health
(SCCOSH)
760 North First Street, 2nd Floor
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 998-4050 • Email: SCCOSH@igc.org
WorkSafe!
c/o San Francisco Labor Council
1188 Franklin Street #203
San Francisco, CA 94109
(510) 302-1071 • www.worksafe.org
California Division of Occupational Safety and Health
(Cal/OSHA): Enforces workplace health and safety regulations and
inspects workplaces. Has free publications and some videos.
Consultation Service assists employers. Safety standards are online.
Statewide: (800) 963-9424
www.dir.ca.gov/occupational_safety.html
California Labor Code Online: Website with full text of all
California laws, including the Labor Code.
www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html
State Labor Commissioner, Division of Labor Standards
Enforcement, Department of Industrial Relations: Provides
information about employment rights, discrimination and wrongful
firings. Takes worker complaints about discrimination for health and safety activity, and will investigate them. There are several offices
throughout the state. Check for local phone numbers in your phone
book. Look in the State Government Pages under “California, State
of, Industrial Relations Department, Labor Standards Enforcement.”
California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of
Workers’ Compensation, Information and Assistance Unit:
Provides information on benefits and medical care for workplace
illness or injury.
(800) 736–7401
Other legal referrals: Most cities or counties have Legal Aid
Societies and Bar Associations. Check your phone book for local
listings.
State Building and Construction Trades Council of California: Has printed and online materials on construction safety and
legislation. Sponsors health and safety training sessions. Does policy
work concerning health and safety in construction trades.
921 - 11th Street, Suite 400 (Will be moving as of 7/1/01)
Sacramento, CA 95814.
(916) 443-3302 • www.sbctc.org • email: sbctc@sbctc.org
Specific Building Trades Locals: Each city and county has a
number of local Unions for construction workers, such as
Ironworkers, Electricians, Plumbers, Roofers, etc. Check your Yellow
Pages under “Labor Organizations” for the listings in your area.
CPWR – Center for Construction Research and Training: The research and
development institute of the Building and Construction Trades
Department, AFL-CIO. Has Hazard Alerts in English and Spanish,
and many other safety publications online.
www.cpwr.com
BUILT Project (Building Trades Unions Ignite Less Tobacco): An educational program in the State Building and Construction
Trades Council of California. It educates and assists union members
through local unions, health and welfare trust funds, joint
apprenticeship training committees and labor-management
committees. BUILT also provides speakers for union/committee
meetings and information and literature about the health effects of
tobacco, secondhand smoke and the workplace smoking law
921 – 11th Street, Suite 110
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-8368 • email: built@sbctc.org
California Smokers’ Helpline: This program provides free and
confidential telephone counseling to help you quit smoking or
chewing tobacco.
(800) 662-8887 (English)
(800) 456-6386 (Spanish)
(800) 400-9866 (Mandarin and Cantonese)
(800) 778-8440 (Vietnamese)
(800) 556-5564 (Korean)
(800) 933-4833 (TDD/TTY)
(800) 844-2439 (Chewing Tobacco)
Your local public health department: Check the County
Government section of your phone book.
Electronic Library of Construction Safety & Health (eL-COSH): Extensive collection of factsheets available online. Includes tailgate/
toolbox safety training materials. Some Spanish and Italian materials.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/elcosh/elcoshom.html
Material Safety Data Sheet Archive: Information about specific
chemicals.
siri.uvm.edu/msds
NYSafety.org: Has a list of factsheets and articles, most available
online. Set the “Occupations” box to Construction to see
construction-related materials.
www.nysafety.org
WorkSafe from Workers’ Compensation Board of British
Columbia, Canada: Has ergonomics factsheets for construction.
www.worksafebc.com/pubs/brochures/ci/default.asp
Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada: Has information about what’s
in tobacco and what the health effects of tobacco are. You can find
out how much of a specific chemical you’ve inhaled when smoking.
www.smoke-free.ca
Center for Disease Control Tobacco Information and Prevention
Source: The official site of the Surgeon General Reports. Has
research and much more.
www.cdc.gov/tobacco
Tobacco Control News and Information: Has a good search
mechanism.
www.tobaccoweek.com
The TRUTH website: A high-tech, interactive site.
www.thetruth.com
This Handbook is part of a
health and safety education curriculum prepared by
![built](30.jpg)
BUILDING TRADES UNIONS IGNITE LESS TOBACCO
A project of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California
and the Labor Occupational Health Program, University of California, Berkeley
Based on the WHATEP curriculum,
produced by the Workplace Hazard and Tobacco Education Project,
funded by the California Department of Health Services
and comprised of the Labor Occupational Health Program,
American Lung Association of San Francisco
and the California Public Health Foundation
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT TEAM
ROBIN BAKER
DEBRA CHAPLAN
WAYNE A. HAGEN
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CAROL WINSTEAD
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