A newsletter of workplace safety and labor issues
“We need to be protecting our workers as much as protecting our shores.” So says former OSHA head Dr. David Michaels in response to a report by Reveal and PBS about fatalities and injuries at shipyards that receive billions in contracts from the US government. The reporters point out intentional, knowing violations of the law,…
Five fatalities in Pennsylvania this week and three in Colorado. Work accident kills Mansfield business owner MANSFIELD, PA — A Mansfield business owner was killed Tuesday when he was pinned under a piece of farming machinery. Lane Smith, 57, owner and operator of L. P. Smith Co., was working on farm equipment when a manure spreader…
Construction Worker Dies After Falling From Brooklyn Building: NYPD New York, NY — A construction worker fell from a building and died in Brooklyn on Sunday, authorities said. The 58-year-old man fell from scaffolding at 1382 Nostrand Ave. in East Flatbush, police said. The address is of a brick building that is a couple of…
“I’ve had a 33-year career and would say I’ve been assaulted at least 50 times if not more. I’ve been kicked, been punched, been called every name in the book, been bit, slapped, had weapons pulled on me … and it’s something that’s becoming more and more common throughout the state. It’s not just in…
Just another tragic story in America? Plainville DPW worker killed in accident PLAINVILLE , MA — A public works employee died Thursday when the lawn tractor he was driving overturned and landed on top of him, police said. The employee, whose name was not released pending notification of family, was cutting grass at the town…
Milking the Workers? Farm worker advocates have published a survey of mostly undocumented Hispanic workers that describes discrimination and workplace abuse experienced by workers on New York’s large dairy farms. Most of the workers are undocumented. The authors report that nearly half of the workers said they were bullied or intimidated by their bosses, and two-thirds said…
Milford Woman In Norwood Skyline Fall Dies MILFORD, MA — A worker who fell through a skyline on Broadway in Norwood Tuesday has died. Norwood Chief William Brooks announced on Twitter Thursday that the victim has succumbed to injures sustained in the fall. The woman has been identified as Jessica Castro of Milford. Tuesday, police…
The Massachusetts Senate has voted to expand the death benefit for public employees who die on the job to $300,000. The amendments was submitted in honor of Longmeadow Department of Public Works foreman Warren P. Cowles who was killed earlier this year during Winter storm Stella. Good news? So why does this make me mad? Because generally I’d…
Every worker has a right to a safe workplace — whether they’re documented or not. And workers in many states also have the right to receive workers comp if they’re injured — whether they’re documented or not. I wrote last week about a cruel bill making its way through the Ohio legislature that would prohibit undocumented…
JCP&L employee dies after Freehold electrocution FREEHOLD, NJ – A Jersey Central Power & Light employee died after touching live high-voltage wires — but not immediately: He was able to walk, talk and describe exactly what happened before suffering a fatal medical episode. Andrew Powers, 56, of Metuchen was working on a piece of transforming…