WEC Staff

California is considering whether an allegedly dangerous chemical found in common paint strippers should be taken off the market. Health authorities there say dozens of people have died from exposure to methylene chloride, which can kill in minutes if inhaled. It's especially dangerous in enclosed spaces. The Environmental Protection Agency is also proposing a ban, but chemical manufacturers oppose that idea. They say the compound is safe if used correctly. Wendy Hartley's son, Kevin, was just 21 and working at a new job refinishing bathrooms for his uncle.  "He would light up the room when he walked in. He had that smile," she said. "He wouldn't have to worry about bills. He would make good money doing it." Kevin took a special training course to protect himself from chemicals used to strip paint. In April, he was refinishing a bathtub in a Nashville apartment complex when his brother called their mom at work. "He said, I'm sorry mom. I did everything that I could and I couldn't save him," Hartley said. The cause of Kevin's death? The medical examiner later determined that, despite wearing gloves and a respirator, he'd been overcome by a chemical in the paint stripper he was [...]

WEC announced today that it is has signed on as a cooperating partner for the 2018 International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum (IPF). The IPF is the number one technical conference for offshore wind in the United States hosted by the Business Network for Offshore Wind (the Network). The conference brings together the industry’s global and U.S. experts to generate new business opportunities and strengthen the U.S. offshore wind supply chain. The conference will be held from April 3-6 at the Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village in Princeton, New Jersey. Registration is now open. “Thanks to the support of organizations like New Jersey Work Environment Council, we are able to deliver the leading domestic technical conference for offshore wind where we are building valuable partnerships and facilitating critical conversations that will help us successfully move the industry forward and create a domestic supply chain,” said Liz Burdock, executive director of the Network. “A decision to support the IPF is a decision to support the significant economic, environmental and health benefits that offshore wind can bring to the United States.” In its fifth year, the IPF draws more than 600 attendees annually, including the industry’s leading global experts and developers. Attendees have [...]

Public education is under attack, including at higher education institutions; at Rutgers University, tuition is increasing, our professors and campus workers are paid less, and top administrators seem to be the only ones benefiting. Join the New Jersey Work Environment Council, Rutgers United Students Against Sweatshops, and other partners on December 16, 2017 to engage in a discussion on economics, financialization, and how financial institutions rob Rutgers University of vital resources - resources which could be better used to maintain/reduce tuition, invest in educational resources, and increase wages and pay for campus workers and faculty. This event is free, but please register to attend. Register Now Public Need Over Corporate Greed

In the early hours of Saturday, October 21, a fire broke out at a recyclable plastics storage warehouse, Intercontinental Export Import, in Parkersburg, West Virginia. With outdated safety data sheets, it is unclear what is in the toxic smoke that continues to billow from the building. A list given to the public includes the possible presence of PVC, nylon, carbon black, titanium dioxide, fiberglass, formaldehyde, Teflon and styrene in the warehouse. Throughout the weekend, 31 volunteer fire departments from seven counties in West Virginia and Ohio assisted with efforts to quell the fire. Concerns over air quality and public safety have led the governor to declare a state of emergency for all of Wood County. Community members have sought medical treatment for fire-related symptoms since Saturday. Symptoms being treated include respiratory issues, headaches, sore throat, eye irritation, coughing and shortness of breath. Though residents were told to stay in their homes to avoid the smoke, they were not given any instructions as to how they could keep the air quality in their homes safe. Schools continue to be closed and residents as far away as 30 miles can smell the toxic smoke. This catastrophic event highlights two important needs: 1) [...]

For two years in a row, the Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) 1910.1200 is the second most cited violation on OSHA’s Top 10 list. The sections within the HazCom standard most often violated include implementation of a HazCom program and training, followed by the requirement to maintain Safety Data Sheets. Are you aware of the major changes to OSHA’s HazCom Standard and how it is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals? Employers have a responsibility under OSHA’s HazCom Standard to educate and train employees about the chemicals they work with and how to protect themselves from any potential hazards. The NJ Work Environment Council training may be able to help. On September 30, 2017 WEC was awarded a Susan Harwood Training grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for our Preventing Exposures to Workplace Chemicals project. The project goal is to train employers and workers on recognizing hazardous conditions, preventing exposure to chemicals, and the importance of effective Hazard Communications programs and safe handling procedures. WEC can provide FREE training to employers and workers on recognizing hazardous conditions, preventing exposure to chemicals, OSHA’s HazCom Standard and how it is now aligned with the [...]

In another example of the severe facility conditions confronting many New Jersey public school districts, the Monroe Township public school district in Gloucester County has closed all district schools because of mold contamination concerns.  Students, parents, staff, and community members are concerned about the health and safety implications of mold contamination.  To learn more about how mold impacts school, student, and staff health and safety, please read Unite for a Mold-Free School factsheet. If you have any concerns around school facility issues, including but not limited to mold, please reach out to Healthy Schools Now campaign organizer Jerell Blakeley at [email protected]. Healthy Schools Now