Joint legislative effort in 1977 general assembly session between UAW, AFLCIO and CCAG to return regulation of private sector employers to Federal OSHA. During Nixon Administration there was transfer of regulation to state OSHA if a state opted to do that and CT did.
New Directions grant is received by UCONN with a labor advisory board
CCAG organized the community in East Berlin to deal with noxious and sickening fumes and illness. and lack of information from the StanChem company. Led CCAG to desire to work for community right to know.
1981 COSH was in the forefront of linking health/safety issues to women’s issues. We helped start one of the first coalitions nationwide looking at sexual harassment as a stressor at work — ConnWASH — CT Women Against Sexual Harassment — and held a conference with a coalition of women’s groups at the YWCA in Hartford.
President Reagan cuts New Directions program. UCONN Labor Advisory board creates ConnectiCOSH
President Reagan eliminates the hazard communication standard. ConnectiCOSH joins in coalition to win state worker and community right to know
Connecticut Fund for the Environment organized for hearing concerning the use of asbestos-cement water pipes. COSH leader Jane Fleishman gave testimony
COSH provided hazardous waste training to IAM 707 members in North Haven through a re-enactment of hazardous response
ConnectiCOSH helps pass legislation creating the Division of Worker Education in the Worker Compensation Commission which educates workers about health and safety which begins conducting train the trainers programs.
ConnectiCOSH organized a conference and met with Union Carbide regarding the Bhopal India chemical disaster
COSH leaders Judy Sparer, Ray Elling, and Jane Fleishman went to China where Judy and Jane gave a paper about women’s occupational health issues at a conference at a medical school in Beijing.
ConnectiCOSH helped to pass legislation establishing state funding for occupational health clinics such as the UCONN and Yale clinics which help workers connect with industrial hygienists and physicians who understand workplace hazards
COSH was instrumental in the 1991 Right to Act legislation (Sec. 31-40t. Employee’s right to act in case of hazardous conditions.)
Fought against the legislation that “deformed” the worker compensation system which reduced benefits for workers
Supported legislation that required most employers to have health and safety committees
ConnectiCOSH help lead the fight against the “contract with America” proposed cuts to OSHA funding and regulations
1995 ConnecitiCOSH conducts AIDS/HIV and worker rights training for hundreds of migrant farm workers through the migrant worker health network
1999 ConnectiCOSH worked for legislation to strengthen whistleblower law for public sector workers
Established injured workers project to organize around worker compensation problems
Helped bring labor unions into Blue-Green Coalition for a safe and healthy Connecticut
COSH makes presentation to HERE Local 34 members at Yale and labor management committee on chemical safety setting a new precedent that a union chosen group to speak at a joint event.
Established Chemical Innovations Institute with the Coalition for Safe and Healthy CT (and also founding member of Coalition)
Worked with unions, community groups and government agencies to respond to Kleen energy gas plant explosion
Organized to pass the Protecting America’s Workers Act, got all Connecticut legislators to co-sponsor however bill never was voted on in Congress.
Supported 1199-SEIU striking nursing home workers in campaign to documents hazards and make workplaces safer