On Workers Memorial Day, Workers & OSHA Demand Stronger Enforcement
April 29, 2010
On Workers Memorial Day yesterday, in the shadow of major disasters and worker deaths across our nation -- at the Anacortes, WA Tesoro refinery, the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia, and a BP oil rig off the coast of Louisiana -- ABC World News with Diane Sawyer and Nightline on Wednesday aired an investigative piece about worker safety violations by some of our nation’s biggest corporations, including the Cintas Corp., which has a miserable record of worker treatment.
"I think there are a lot of irresponsible employers who don't ensure that workers are given safe work places in which to work," said Dr. David Michaels, the newly appointed director of OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Agency, responsible for workplace safety. "Fourteen deaths a day on the job is far too many," he said in an interview broadcast Wednesday on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer and Nightline.
Labor Secretary Solis today released a statement calling for the passage of a stronger OSHA law as well:
"Drastic changes are clearly needed …. Fines and penalties are simply too low, whistleblowers are not adequately protected and almost nine million public employees still lack the right to a safe workplace. Our nation's workers deserve laws that will keep them from harm. … The [Protecting America’s Workers Act] would help make that a reality. Congress should pass it without delay."
This week, committees in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate held hearings on recent workplace safety disasters, and called for passage of new legislation to toughen the government's job safety enforcement powers.
