Debra Coyle, Author at Work Environment Council

Immediate Action Needed: Stand Up for Worker Safety and the Environment

Call Your Congressional Representative and Congressman Frelinghuysen With Congressional Representatives heading back to their Districts, now is the time to urge your Representative to stand up for worker safety and the environment. Please ask that they oppose any budget cuts that would hinder federal and state agencies from protecting us. When Congress returns to DC on April 25, they only have three days to pass a continuing resolution so the government doesn’t shut down. We already know that the President’s administration is eyeing draconian budget cuts in fiscal year 2018; gouging the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Labor (DOL) budgets by 21% and 33% respectively, and entirely eliminating the US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) among other vital programs. These cuts have real consequences in New Jersey, which has more than 5,000 facilities that each use more than 10,000 pounds of hazardous chemicals, and has the highest population density of any state. New Jersey also has more contaminated sites in the federal superfund program than any other state. Take Action: 1) Urge your Representative to oppose any draconian budget cuts to DOL, EPA and CSB that would put workers lives and the environment at risk. 2) Urge NJ Congressman [...]

By Debra Coyle|2017-04-07T12:02:01-04:00April 7th, 2017|Act Now, Highlights|Comments Off

Oil Train Safety Bill Passes the Legislature

Bill will improve accountability of companies and require proactive planning The New Jersey Work Environment Council (WEC) and allies commend the Assembly today for passing A2463, the Oil Train Safety bill. The bill ensures that owners or operators of high-hazard trains have discharge response, cleanup, and contingency plans to transport certain hazardous materials by rail, and requires that the plans be filed with the State. The NJ Office of Emergency Management will share information with both county and local emergency service providers having jurisdiction in communities along the routes and offer training to emergency service personnel. “We’re thankful to our legislative champions for getting this common-sense bill passed,” said Dan Fatton, executive director of New Jersey Work Environment Council. “Even one accident would have tremendous costs, and we hope that never comes to pass, but first responders, workers and community members have to be prepared for such an emergency, which this bill enables.” The bill gives community members and emergency responders the right to know about crude oil and other high-hazard trains carrying certain chemicals, and would require owners or operators of high hazard trains to provide evidence of financial responsibility for cleaning up in the event of an accident. [...]

By Debra Coyle|2017-03-23T16:03:00-04:00March 23rd, 2017|Highlights, Press Releases|Comments Off

Trump Seeks to Cut Safety Agency with Roots in New Jersey

The devastating 1995 Napp Technologies explosion in the heart of Lodi killed five men, created a plume of toxic black smoke that lingered over the county for days -- and led to the creation of a federal board that spent the next two decades investigating more than 100 chemical industry accidents across the nation. Now, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board is slated to be eliminated under the President Trump’s proposed budget, worrying supporters who say the board has helped improve safety nationwide. The Chemical Safety Board has a budget of $11 million, which supporters say is meager compared to the current $3.65 trillion federal spending plan. “Just one chemical catastrophe would dwarf that cost,” said Dan Fatton, executive director of the New Jersey Work Environment Council which promotes workplace safety. “If ever there was an example of being pound wise penny foolish, it’s here. The Chemical Safety Board is a pretty good deal for what you get versus what you spend.” See the full piece by The Record staff writer Scott Fallon on North Jersey.com.

By Debra Coyle|2017-03-23T15:07:36-04:00March 23rd, 2017|Highlights, WEC in the News|Comments Off

Take Action to Make Our Communities Safer from Dangerous Oil Trains

WEC and allies, including the Professional Fire Fighters Association of NJ, have been working together for more than two years on a bill that would make communities safer from ultra-explosive crude oil trains. The Oil Train Safety Bill A2463 (S806) is scheduled for a floor vote in the NJ Assembly this Thursday, March 23, 2017. Please contact your Assembly members and urge them to vote for community safety by voting yes on bill A2463. Issue Details Crude oil and other high-hazard trains travel through both our urban and rural communities. They are visible and easily identifiable to anyone who has ever been stuck at a railroad crossing. Each train carrying hazardous chemicals is required by the US Department of Transportation to have a placard on it identifying the material inside. Placards are an important source of information for emergency responders and railroad employees and others. However, if trains are damaged, or worse, on fire, the placards may not help our first responders. The State has refused to release information regarding how often trains travel through our communities and the volume of hazardous materials contained within, both of which are vital for emergency preparedness and response. This contradicts other states that [...]

By Debra Coyle|2017-03-20T15:06:45-04:00March 20th, 2017|Highlights|Comments Off

Call for New Workplace Safety Protections to Save Thousands of Lives, Billions of Dollars

WEC joins NCOSH & other advocates call for action in local communities and workplaces The New Jersey Work Environment Council (WEC) is advocating for worker safety, and has joined a nationwide campaign to advance an action agenda for workplace safety. “Protecting Workers’ Lives and Limbs,” compiled by the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, has been endorsed by 92 groups across the country, including WEC. The comprehensive platform for strong worker safety protections can save workers’ lives and reduce costs to employers in New Jersey. Recent Congressional actions have put workers at risk by taking steps to eliminate sanctions against federal contractors who violate safety laws, and reversing longstanding recordkeeping rules. Cecelia Leto, WEC Project Director states, “As a safety specialist, I hear horrific worker testimonials of injuries, illnesses, and even deaths on the job. Workers, trying to earn a living for themselves and their families, can be just one injury away from falling into financial hardship or poverty. We need stronger, not weaker, Federal and State workplace protections.” The 92 organizations, including seven from New Jersey, endorsing “Protecting Workers’ Lives and Limbs” represent workers, unions, environmentalists and civic groups. Key elements of the platform include: ensuring health [...]

By Debra Coyle|2017-03-16T08:47:53-04:00March 15th, 2017|Highlights, Press Releases|Comments Off

How Do We Protect Our Children, Communities Against Toxic Chemicals?

In kindergarten, when the fire alarm went off, we were told what to do. Line up, follow the exit signs, and walk to our assigned meeting place outside the school. We had an emergency plan in case there was a fire. Now as adults responsible for our families and communities, we find the threats are greater and the information we need to be prepared is missing. Decades ago, at a time when chemicals were not monitored, explosions and releases would happen regularly in highly industrial communities, such as the Ironbound neighborhood in Newark. Residents rose up and demanded that workers and communities had a right to know what the chemicals were and what they needed do to protect themselves. This led, in part, to a now 30-year-old federal policy. The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) requires facilities to report annually on the amount of toxic chemicals that have been released into the air, water, or on land. Furthermore, the law required the creation of the Toxic Release Inventory, which serves as a publicly accessible document covering more than 650 reportable chemicals that may pose a threat to public health or the environment. EPCRA also requires that local governments formulate chemical-emergency [...]

By Debra Coyle|2017-02-28T10:18:04-05:00February 28th, 2017|Highlights, Opinion Pieces|Comments Off

EPA’s First Ten TSCA Chemicals for Review: Part Four

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is exercising their new authority under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which amended the outdated (and ineffective) Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). EPA named the first ten priority chemicals for assessment and is tasked with evaluating these chemicals to ensure there is not an unreasonable risk of injury to health. In determining risk, EPA is required to consider vulnerable populations including: workers, infants, children, pregnant women and the elderly. WEC is highlighting the chemicals in a series of blog posts with information on how to make your voice heard and tell your story about chemical exposure. Chemical Eight of Ten: Pigment Violet -29 (Perylene-3,4:9,10-tetracarboxydiimide) This chemical is a red-purple dye used to coat products and is found in inks, toners and polymers. Pigment Violet-29 is used in printing and recorded media reproduction and in the manufacture of plastic products, machinery and vehicles. Pigment Violet 29 is suspected of causing cancer and reproductive problems. Chemical Nine of Ten: Trichloroethelene (TCE) TCE is used in the manufacturing of refrigerants and is used as a commercial degreaser. It is also used as a spotting agent in dry cleaners, [...]

By Debra Coyle|2017-02-23T15:12:44-05:00February 21st, 2017|Highlights|Comments Off

EPA’s First Ten TSCA Chemicals Review: Part Three

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is exercising their new authority under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which amended the outdated (and ineffective) Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). EPA named the first ten priority chemicals for assessment and is tasked with evaluating these chemicals to ensure there is not an unreasonable risk of injury to health. In determining risk, EPA is required to consider vulnerable populations including: workers, infants, children, pregnant women and the elderly. WEC is highlighting the chemicals in a series of blog posts with information on how to make your voice heard and tell your story about chemical exposure. Chemical Five of Ten: Hexabromocyclododecane (a.k.a. HBCD or HBCDD) Hexabromocyclododecane, or HBCD, is used as a flame retardant in expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) and extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) used in the building and construction industry, mainly in the form of insulation boards. HBCD is also added to plastics used for electronics and appliances to make them more fire resistant and mixed into the back coating of textiles. While it is no longer widely used in the coatings of new home furnishings like upholstery, window blinds, draperies and wall coverings, HBCD is [...]

By Debra Coyle|2017-02-17T14:23:02-05:00February 17th, 2017|Highlights|Comments Off

EPA’s First Ten TSCA Chemicals Review: Part Two

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is exercising their new authority under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which amended the outdated (and ineffective) Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). EPA named the first ten priority chemicals for assessment and is tasked with evaluating these chemicals to ensure there is not an unreasonable risk of injury to health. In determining risk, EPA is required to consider vulnerable populations including: workers, infants, children, pregnant women and the elderly. WEC is highlighting the chemicals in a series of blog posts with information on how to make your voice heard and tell your story about chemical exposure. Chemical Two of Ten: 1-Bromopropane (a.k.a. n-Propyl Bromide, 1-BP) One of the most common uses of this chemical is a spray adhesive. It is used in workplaces that make foam cushions, fiber products, seat cushions, laminated products, and furniture. Workers who are exposed to it may feel drunk, get a headache, or feel unusually nervous. Workers can also develop numbing in their hands and feet, tremors, and walking with a limp. Besides these neurological problems, this chemical is suspected to be a carcinogen and may cause reproductive disorders. 1-BP is also [...]

By Debra Coyle|2017-02-17T10:41:14-05:00February 16th, 2017|Highlights|Comments Off

EPA’s First Ten TSCA Chemicals Review: Part One

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is exercising their new authority under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which amended the outdated (and ineffective) Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). EPA named the first ten priority chemicals for assessment and is tasked with evaluating these chemicals to ensure there is not an unreasonable risk of injury to health. In determining risk, EPA is required to consider vulnerable populations including: workers, infants, children, pregnant women and the elderly. Over the next ten days, the NJ Work Environment Council (WEC) will be highlighting the chemicals in a series of blog posts with information on how to make your voice heard and tell your story about chemical exposure. Chemical One of Ten: Asbestos Asbestos was once called the “magic mineral” because its microscopic fibers are indestructible. Although it causes a deadly lung disease and cancer, hundreds of millions of tons of asbestos were used in construction material and consumer products in the U.S. Workers involved in building maintenance, renovation and demolition can be exposed to asbestos, in particular in buildings constructed prior to 1980 when the chemical was used more widely. Some automotive brakes and clutches [...]

By Debra Coyle|2017-02-17T10:43:06-05:00February 7th, 2017|Highlights|Comments Off

Debra Coyle

About Debra Coyle