President Trump boasted yesterday at a photo op of his plans to cut the “red tape of regulations.” His regulatory agenda ignores his crush on coal miners by threatening current rules to prevent black lung disease.
Hospital records and workers’ compensation data from Michigan reveals many more crushing-type injuries occur on the job than suggested by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
An Oklahoma rehab center funnels forced free labor into private industry; the National Labor Relations Board reconsiders Obama-era union election rules; farmworkers at risk from California’s wildfire smoke; and domestic workers organize for greater labor rights in Seattle.
Recent pieces address why black women in the US are so much more likely to die during or after childbirth; death and disease in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria; and several aspects of workplace sexual harassment, from problems in specific industries to solutions from leaders in their fields.
Food Safety & Nutrition
Government auditors validate safety complaints from meat and poultry workers
An investigation by GAO of the meatpacking and poultry industry validates concerns raised by workers about fear of losing their jobs if they report safety problems, and being denied access to the bathroom and proper medical care for injuries.
Government
Advocates: Trump’s proposed budget cuts are a ‘white flag of surrender’ in global HIV/AIDS fight
On the day before World AIDS Day, the White House put out a statement saying “we reaffirm our ongoing commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat.” Advocates are waiting — and hoping for — that same sentiment to materialize into policy.
The Senate tax-slashing bill contains a paltry paid-leave proposal that would give money to corporations already providing paid family leave.
Infectious Diseases & Vaccines
Study on H3N2 flu virus calls into question egg-based vaccine production
Scott Hensley wants to make one thing clear: You should still get a flu shot after reading this article.
Firefighters report they are more concerned about getting cancer from their job than about the other health dangers they face.
Local efforts help California nail salons create healthier working conditions; California court ruling a win for farm workers and labor unions; Milwaukee institutes new safety measures after a city employee is shot and killed; and flight attendants chronicle sexual harassment in the skies.