The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has mandated new limits on exposure to silica dust. Workers may be exposed to silica on the job in construction, mining, shipbuilding and other industries. See the Press Release here
Tens of thousands of school children impacted Testing at Newark schools has revealed lead levels above federal EPA action guidelines in at least 30 of the city's 66 school facilities. Exposure to lead can cause developmental delays, neurological changes and may have a lasting impact on kids' ability to learn. See the Press Release here
A train derailed and sickened many residents of Paulsboro, exposing residents and emergency responders to a cloud of vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen. It was a terrible illustration of the need for more effective emergency response planning and training. Full Article by Dominick Marino, President, Professional Firefighters Association of NJ & WEC Board Member and Dan Fatton, WEC Executive Director February 19, 2016 - Star Ledger
Nearly 9 million in New Jersey are could be impacted by a potential disasters. Greenpeace and the New Jersey Work Environment Council co-released a new report on the safety and environmental performance of chlorine bleach plants across the United States. According to the findings, 86 facilities throughout the U.S. continue to needlessly use huge quantities of chlorine gas in their manufacturing process and endanger more than 63 million people living in nearby areas. See the Press Release here
Greenpeace and the New Jersey Work Environment Council co-released a report on the safety and environmental performance of chlorine bleach plants across the United States. According to the findings, nearly 9 million people in New Jersey could be impacted by a potential disaster. Read Full Report Press Release
The NJ Work Environment Council (WEC) has selected Dan Fatton, an environmentalist, community activist and fundraiser as its new Executive Director. Fatton was selected after the WEC Board and search committee completed a nationwide search. See the Press Release Here
This report offers a unique inside look at the working conditions faced by recycling workers across the United States, as well as a series of specific policy recommendations that municipal decision makers should follow to improve industry accountability and health and safety outcomes. It also includes practical recommendations for public education programs that can prevent dangerous materials from entering the recycling stream; workers are regularly exposed to used needles, dead animal carcasses, and hazardous chemicals. Recycling workers are more than twice as likely to be injured at work as the average worker. Our analysis is based on occupational health studies, OSHA reports about health and safety violations, articles from news media and industry trade publications, interviews with recycling workers, and first-hand observation of recycling work. The findings underscore the need for urgent action to improve health and safety conditions for recycling workers. Improving the recycling sector overall is not only possible – it’s imperative for averting today’s ecological crises, and protecting the health and well-being of this important group of climate workers who protect us all. Read Full Report The report was produced by: GAIA Partnership for Working Families MassCOSH National Council for Occupational Safety and Health. [...]
The New Jersey Supreme Court overturned a lower court decision and held that an employee who engages in whistleblowing is protected by the NJ Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), even when the whitsleblowing is part of the employee's regular job duties. Full Article by Andrew Dwyer, an attorney in Newark at The Dwyer Law Firm and Debra Coyle McFadden, interim director of the New Jersey Work Environment Council. July 18, 2015 - Star Ledger
Workers whose job is to evaluate health and safety issues are less vulnerable to being fired for telling truth to employers. The New Jersey Supreme Court yesterday widened the state's whistleblower law, ruling that employees whose jobs entail identifying helath and safety risks are entitled to protection under the statute. See Article Here
Workers whose job is to monitor whether their employer complies with standards and regulations are not barred from whistleblower protections under a state law designed to prevent retaliation against employees who speak out, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. See Article Here
