Opponents of gun control like to argue that there’s no point in passing stricter gun laws because criminals will get guns anyway. Just look at Chicago, they say. But a new study finds it’s not that strong state laws don’t work, it’s that weak laws in neighboring states offer criminals a convenient loophole.
Regulation
Healthcare providers and info on toxic chemicals: Is EPA wiggling away from transparency mandate?
Congress directed EPA to disclose confidential business information to health professionals in certain critical situations involving toxic chemicals. Kudos to the American Public Health Assoc., American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of OB/GYN, and the Environmental Defense Fund for not allowing EPA to wiggle away from Congress’ intent.
The CEO of an investment company with coal mine holdings has ludicrous ideas about worker safety. He thinks coal miners should rely on their natural instincts to be safe. He says emergency breathing equipment, rescue chambers, and proximity detectors are a waste of money.
Striking West Virginia educators are inspiring teachers across the country; U.S. appeals court rules that bias laws also prohibit workplace discrimination against transgender people; Austin extends its new paid sick leave rule to city temp workers; and congressional Democrats introduce legislation to protect workers’ tips.
Government
Repost: Gun control laws can impact death rates. It’s time to let public health research lead the way.
Guns are the third leading cause of injury-related death in the country. Every year, more than 12,000 gun homicides happen in the U.S., and for every person killed with a gun, two more are injured. Whether Congress will do anything about this violence is a whole other (depressing) article. But there is evidence that change is possible.
In many households, a Thanksgiving tradition is for someone at the table to express appreciation for the meal in front of them. We often overlook the individuals who do the labor-intensive and dangerous work that brings the turkeys and other food to our table.
U.S. Chemical Safety Board considers withdrawing retaliation protections for offshore oil workers; unions re-examine their role in the wake of sexual harassment revelations; America’s fastest-growing jobs are also among the lowest-paying jobs; and migrant women continue to face exploitation on the job.
OSHA
“A gift to the construction industry”: catchy quotes from Court of Appeals argument on OSHA’s silica standard
Appeals Court judges Merrick Garland and David Tatel probed and cajoled a courtroom filled with attorneys who were either challenging or defending OSHA’s 2016 silica standard. I share some of my favorite quotes from the September 26 proceeding.
Guns are the third leading cause of injury-related death in the country. Every year, nearly 12,000 gun homicides happen in the U.S., and for every person killed, two more are injured. Whether Congress will do anything about this violence is a whole other (depressing) article. But there is evidence that change is possible.
In the last two years, the California Legislature has provided the Department of Industrial Relations with significantly increased financial resources to enhance the effectiveness of Cal/OSHA and better protect the 19 million workers in the state. DIR has failed to take full advantage of these resources to strengthen Cal/OSHA while at the same time it has provided refunds to employers who have paid the fees that generate these unused resources. The net effect is a Cal/OSHA that is weaker and less effective than it could be if all available resources were put to work. The people who pay the cost of these resources “left on the table” are the workers of California and their families and communities.