low-wage workers | The Pump Handle

Child Labor Worker database documents 1,073 occupational deaths so far in 2015: ‘Every one of these deaths is preventable’

August 20, 2015 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

More than 1,000 U.S. workers have died due to job-related events in the first seven months of 2015, according to new data from the U.S. Worker Fatality Database. Researchers estimate that total fatalities will likely reach 4,500 by the end of the year, which would mean that the nation’s occupational death rate experienced little, if no, improvement over previous years.

California Occupational Health News Roundup

August 13, 2015 Kim Krisberg

Republican proposal to ban unions at the IRS could mean trouble for other federal employees; ExxonMobil refinery in California cited for violations in February explosion; OSHA fines poultry company for “outrageously dangerous” conditions; and a strip club dancer calls for the same protections and respect afforded to other workers.

Affordable Care Act New report: No evidence that the Affordable Care Act is a ‘job killer’

August 11, 2015 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

One of the big criticisms that opponents of the Affordable Care Act love to trot out is its impact on the economy — one phrase you often hear is “job killer.” In fact, in 2011, Republicans in the House actually introduced legislation officially titled “Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act.” That bill didn’t make it far. However, a new report finds that “job-killing” isn’t just hyperbole; it’s just plain wrong.

Department of Labor Occupational Health News Roundup

July 29, 2015 Kim Krisberg

Reporters investigate worker exploitation and abuse in the H-2 visa program; U.S. labor secretary speaks out on the “on-demand” economy; recycling workers face hazardous conditions and unnecessary injury risks; and some businesses say good-bye to the raise.

Government No economic recovery for kids: Childhood poverty higher than during Great Recession

July 24, 2015 Kim Krisberg 4Comment

Technically, the recession is over. So it may come as a surprise to learn that more U.S. children are living in poverty right now than during the Great Recession. To be more specific: About 1.7 million more children live in low-income working families than just a few years ago.

Environmental Health Occupational Health News Roundup

July 14, 2015 Kim Krisberg

Leaders in the domestic workers movement write about continuing challenges and forward progress; Wisconsin workers lose right to a living wage; OSHA designates DuPont a severe violator; and Michigan advocates organize for paid sick leave.

Environmental Health Report explores the dangerous work of recycling: ‘Recycling is the right thing to do, but we have to do it the right way’

July 7, 2015 Kim Krisberg

Recycling our garbage is good for the planet, but a new report finds that the workers who process our recyclable materials often face dangerous and unnecessary conditions that put their health and safety at serious risk.

Education Mapping technique reveals spatial clustering of workplace injuries and potential new venues for outreach

June 26, 2015 Kim Krisberg

A common hurdle in the field of occupational health and safety is delivering what can sometimes be life-saving information to the people who need it most. After all, not all employers are amenable to workplace health and safety education. But what if safety advocates could find and connect with the most at-risk workers out in the community? Perhaps even reach vulnerable workers with safety education before they experience an injury at work?

Addiction & Substance Abuse Study: Poor work safety climates put youth farmworkers at risk of injury, illness

June 19, 2015 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

Even though farmworkers face serious hazards on the job and work in one of the most dangerous industries in the country, most young farmworkers in a recent study rated their work safety climate as “poor.” In fact, more than a third of those surveyed said their managers were only interested in getting the job done as quickly as possible.

Agriculture Occupational Health News Roundup

June 16, 2015 Kim Krisberg

Historic agreement reached between farmworkers and agribusiness in Baja California; New York fast food workers testify in support of higher wages; Cal-OSHA to strengthen its heat exposure oversight; and labor advocates say an upcoming visit from Pope Francis could be a boost for workers.

Liz Borkowski, MPH	Celeste Monforton, DrPH,
Kim Krisberg	Garrett Brown