Yesterday, the US House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing on âAllegations of Political interference with the Work of Government Climate Change Scientists.â As committee chair Henry Waxman noted in his opening statement, the committee had been investigating this matter for several months, and had good reason to be concerned:
Les Skramstad was a good, decent man. He died earlier this month at 70-years young, from damage inflicted years earlier by greedy and reckless employers.Â
When workplace disasters make headlines, worker health and safety advocates have an opportunity to push for better legislation and enforcement. Recent news stories follow up on the response to last yearâs mining disasters and the 2005 explosion at BPâs Texas City refinery. (As always, Jordan Barabâs Confined Space has comprehensive back stories to these disasters.) […]
by Les Boden Yesterdayâs Washington Post has a long story about Mercury Morris, star running back of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only undefeated team in modern NFL history. Morrisâ neck was broken in a 1973 game on national television, and he has had significant physical and emotional problems ever since. He also has been […]
One of the best ways that mothers, fathers, grandparents, and caregivers can find out about hazardous agents in their homes, communities, and workplaces is by reading the journal Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP). EHP is published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), an agency created in 1966 by the Surgeon General as part of […]
Some of you may recall Mike Caseyâs compelling exposé in the Kansas City Star (Wayback Machine version here) regarding OSHAâs outrageously low fines for safety violations– even those directly responsible for serious injuries to or even deaths of unsuspecting workers. While OSHA is supposedly committed to levy fines âsufficient to serve as an effective deterrent […]
The pharmaceutical industry was a hot topic in the blogosphere this week: Cervantes at Stayin’ Alive advocates for a ban on direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising (as opposed to the proposed legislation likely to come from the pharma industry). Orac at Respectful Insolence has a different take on the “DCA is a miracle cancer drug Big Pharma […]
By David Michaels Yesterdayâs post by Les Boden on workersâ compensation fraud by employers brings up an important question: How much fraud is there in the comp system and who is responsible? Insurers and employers have worked diligently to convince the public that the workersâ compensation rolls are filled with malingerers, intent on ripping off […]
Massey Energy, a major US coal mine operator, is boasting that its safety program has won the âhighly covetedâ Golden Pyramid Award. Isnât it a bit peculiar that a mining company where three workers were killed in 2006 would be recognized for its workplace safety and health program? And, we wonder what kind of organization would give […]
by Les Boden Today, The New York Times reports on an important study that shows us the tip of the iceberg of employer workersâ compensation fraud.