wiscosh: safety before profits

  • Workplace Bullying, Sexual Harassment and Violence Prevention

    There is a sustained, and increasing, occurrence of violence in all aspects of life in America in the 21st Century. Unfortunately this is not a new trend but one that has been plaguing workers for far too long. We are witnessing on a near daily basis another shooting at a school, church, shopping mall or community event. We are hearing about workers being forced to accept sexual assault in order to get or keep their job. We are seeing coworkers bullied and abused to the point of committing suicide. The one thing that nearly all of these incidents have in common is that they occur in the workplace.

    While OSHA has not yet issued a standard on workplace violence, bullying or sexual assault it has issued guidelines for some industries and occupations. Other government agencies (such as NIOSH, the CDC, FBI, …) and universities have also established guidelines and recommendations.

    WisCOSH is here to help you compose effective, implimentable policies to help keep workers,customers/clients and vendors safe.

  • Workplace Bullying No Laughing Matter

    In response to the increase in random violent assaults (i.e. the knock out game) WisCOSH has designed a workshop to educate workers to recognize and neutralize an imminent assault.

    The workshop covers employers legal responsibility to eliminate all recognized hazards from the workplace which includes bullies, sexual predators and intruders. Also covered are recommendations from several U.S. federal and state agencies on workplace policies and preparedness. In order to understand the things not being verbally communicated by those around us facial expressions and body posture will be covered. Also covered are means of conducting effective workplace surveys, some basic self defense, stress reduction techniques and more!

    Contact WisCOSH today to arrainge a session. Also, mark your calendars and plan to join WisCOSH as we host the national COSH for the first time in 27 years this November. Joining the COSH groups from around the country will be workplace health and safety specialists and shop floor workers for three days of learning, networking and socializing. Join us for one or more days starting Wednesday, November 12 at noon through noon on Saturday, November 15.

  • WisCOSH Teams Up With ATU Local 998 to Protect Bus Drivers

    WisCOSH is working with leadership of ATU Local 998 in Milwaukee to try to reduce the number and severity of attacks on bus drivers and passengers that have lately seen a large increase in both the number and severity of attacks.

    No worker should be afraid to go to work and no worker should be bullied, threatened, harassed or attacked. When that worker is also responsible maintaininng control of a multiple ton vehicle and for the safe transport of passengers the situation become much more dangerous and potentially deadly. When management threatens workers jobs if they leave their seat to protect themselves or passengers work truely becomes a nightmare.

    Due to the special circumstances imposed by Milwaukee County Transportation Services (MCTS) on the drivers WisCOSH has designed training specifically for the drivers such that they can comply with management demands while protecting themselves and passengers. WisCOSH can do the same for you. Contact us today!

  • Workplace Violence Can Happen Anytime Anywhere

    There is a sustained, and increasing, occurrence of violence in all aspects of life in America in the 21st Century. Unfortunately this is not a new trend but one that has been plaguing workers for far too long. We are witnessing on a near daily basis another shooting at a school, church, shopping mall or community event. We are hearing about workers being forced to accept sexual assault in order to get or keep their job. We are seeing coworkers bullied and abused to the point of committing suicide. The one thing that nearly all of these incidents have in common is that they occur in a workplace.

    While OSHA has not yet issued a standard on workplace violence, bullying or sexual assault it has issued guidelines for some industries and occupations. Other government agencies (such as NIOSH, the CDC, FBI, …) and universities have also established guidelines and recommendations. WisCOSH continues to offer workshops that: cover these recommendations; highlight useful workplace policies and procedures; provide guidance on finding and eliminating trouble areas (blind spots, solitary work areas, uncontrolled access areas, ...); basic self defense. Contact WisCOSH today to set up a workshop.

  • Tragedy Strikes at Miller Brewery in Milwaukee

    WisCOSH is deeply saddened by yesterday's horrific events at the Miller Brewery in Milwaukee's valley.

    We mourn the tragic and senseless loss of life of six workers.

    We encourage any workers, family members and survivors that need help to seek it as soon as you are able. If you are unsure where you can turn please contact WisCOSH and we will assist you.

    For those families directly affected we encourage you to reach out to the United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities (USMWF). This national organization was started, and is run by, surviving family members of workplace tragedy. They have been where you are now and they know what you can expect in the coming days, weeks, months and years. The loss never goes away but you can heal.

  • Workplace Bullying and Violence Prevention: A Workshop

    2009-04-26
    By WisCOSH Last updated 2020-03-05

    While WisCOSH is deeply saddened by the recent tragedy at the Miller Brewing facility in Milwaukee we are also extremely upset that given the continued and increasing incidence of workplace bullying, sexual assault and violence there remain so many major employers that are completely unprepared for such a situation.

    While OSHA has yet to issue a standard for workplace bullying and violence it has issued recommendations for some industries, occupations and employers. They are not alone. WisCOSH has been providing training on the subject since 2008. We have continued to update and improve the program.

    The Occupational safety and Health Act of 1970 requires all employers to protect their workers from workplace hazards that are present or have the potential to arise. This is what is known as "The General Duty Clause", and it protects workers when there is no specific standard for a hazard. Workplace violence, bullying and sexual assault are all OSHA recognized hazards. As such WisCOSH has relied upon it’s decades of education and resources to design a customizable workshop to help workers, and employers, become and stay safe from these issues. WisCOSH has a beginner and an advanced series of workshops to help identify hazardous situations currently or potentially present in the workplace.

    In Ending Workplace Bullying, Violence and Sexual Assault 101 we look at: the statistics; tools to identify the problems currently in the workplace; facial expressions & body posture; effective policies and enforcement; surveying the worksite and workers; and some basic self defense techniques for the most common/likely way a person is grabbed. The classes will consist of small and large group activities and includes reference materials as well as a Certificate of Completion. This is a 40 hour workshop designed to be 10 4-hour classes.

    The Ending Workplace Bullying, Violence and Sexual Assault 201 is a more in depth look at the issue and expands the small and large group activities and self defense portions of the class. Company policies and other methods of control will be discussed in more detail. Participants will engage in additional scenarios and learn additional methods of self defense. This is a 20-hour workshop designed to be 5 4-hour classes. Participants must have taken and completed the 101 course to be eligible for this workshop.

    Currently WisCOSH has no dedicated funding from a grant, foundation or donor to cover the cost and so offers the workshops as "fee for service". The workshops each have several price points to help ensure all that are interested and need the information and training are able to get it. All versions of the workshop include reference materials, small group and individual learning experiences and a certificate of completion. Higher cost options include DVD/video of workshop including all personalized self defense training; a years membership in a local gym and more. WisCOSH is currently seeking funding to run this class. We are looking for grants and direct donations. If you are able to help please contact us.


      link to National COSH   United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities