Highlights

As we approach the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, we belong to an unlucky club of communities that have the unique perspective of knowing the devastation and horror that our Texas and Louisiana friends and family are experiencing right now from Hurricane Harvey. Unfortunately, membership in the club is growing and we expect it to continue growing at an alarming rate as climate change leads to more frequent, more powerful storms. The Huffington Post poignantly captured what’s it’s like to live through a flood event in this excellent piece by Julia Craven where she interviewed people who experienced the horror firsthand. As volunteers with big hearts pour into Houston and the surrounding area to help, it’s important that they also take precautions to protect themselves from numerous hazards. There are unknown hazards present in floodwaters from chemicals, sewage, unknown submerged items, and floating balls of fire ants. Think for a moment the chemicals you store in your home. For example, under your sink you may have ammonia-based cleaner like Windex, or bleach wipes you use to wipe down your counters, and liquid bleach to use in your wash. In your garage, you may have motor oil waste, opened paints and [...]

On August 31, there were two explosions at the flooded Arkema Inc. chemical plant near Houston, which was inundated with 40+ inches of rain. At least 12 emergency responders were affected by the smoke and some were taken to the hospital. The plant manufactures organic peroxides commonly used in everyday products like kitchen countertops, industrial paints, polystyrene cups and plates, and PVC piping. Unfortunately, this event is not over. Arkema Group is reporting that the cooling system needed to keep the chemicals stable at a cool temperature is offline, as are the backup generators. They are anticipating more chemical releases and possible fire and explosions. There’s been an evacuation zone of the surrounding area within a 1.5 mile radius of the facility. Hurricane Harvey’s historic and unprecedented rainfall amounts have raised two important policy failures of the Trump administration, both at the hands of EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. The first is the Administrator's delay of a chemical safety rule. The new rule if implemented would improve coordination between chemical facilities, fire fighters, and other local emergency planners and responders; and encourage safety improvements through internal alternatives assessment practices, among other modest changes. Instead of enacting this common sense safeguard, Administrator [...]

WEC offers quality, interactive training using a participatory methodology that encourages problem-solving and critical thinking to address important health and safety issues in the workplace. WEC invites you to participate in two programs in September. Reduce Injury and Illness and Improve Workplace Health Training Program Thursday, September 21 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM  (8:00 AM Registration) Registration Fee: FREE Location: Foundation for Educational Advancement 12 Centre Drive Monroe, NJ Register Every employer should have an overall injury and illness prevention program. Prevention programs improve health and safety conditions for both large and small employers, reduce workplace injuries and illnesses, improve compliance with laws and regulations, and reduce workers’ compensation premiums. This interactive workshop will include: An introduction to OSHA and key aspects of an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program. An introduction to the concept of using the proactive Systems of Safety approach to identify and control hazards. Guest speaker from the American Heart Association’s Workplace Health Solutions -- a free, evidenced-based workplace health program that can help improve productivity, morale and positively impact the bottom line.* Violence Prevention Training Program Tuesday, September 26 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM (8:30 AM Registration) Registration [...]

On July 13, 2016, the New Jersey State Board of Education adopted regulations regarding testing for lead in drinking water for all educational facilities.  School districts were mandated to make all test results available at the school facility and on the district's website. The regulations also require notification to the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), as well as to parents, in any instances where positive results over the established recommended exposure limit are reported. The notification should describe the steps taken to immediately end the use of each drinking water outlet where water quality exceeds the permissible lead level, as well as the measures taken to ensure that alternative drinking water has been made available to all students and staff. After conducting a survey of districts, we can say with confidence that compliance has not been universal. Healthy Schools Now (HSN) has created a chart to highlight district compliance with the state mandated lead results website publication, including links to the results for those districts that have posted information online.  In August, well after the stated deadline of July 13, 2017, HSN conducted a review of the district websites of the 31 Schools Development Authority (SDA) districts to see if lead [...]

It is with great sadness that the New Jersey Work Environment Council (WEC) shares that Adrienne Rosner Markowitz, our colleague, industrial hygiene consultant and Healthy Schools Coordinator, passed away on July 24, 2017.  Adrienne had an indominable spirit and struggled with an aggressive form of breast cancer for several years.  Adrienne was a warm, loving, compassionate colleague who developed many deep working and mentoring relationships over the years.  Adrienne loved her work with WEC and the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) and it sustained her during her illness. Adrienne spent her professional life challenging the idea that workers must die to make a living.  Armed with a BA in Education from Queens College and a Masters in Occupational and Environmental Health from Hunter College, she wrapped her organizer father’s union ethos around her heart and went into the workplace to fight the only fight that really mattered to her - the fight for justice.   Public sector jobs in New Jersey honed her skills as an educator and truth seeker as she trained county and private sector workers and investigated workplaces for chromium contamination, carrying her CWA Local 1036 membership card proudly. Adrienne expanded her field of battle by [...]

Working people can’t seem to get ahead. As we watch the news, engage in our communities, and organize around our respective issues, it becomes more and more apparent that we are operating in a rigged economy, which works for the privileged few. Wall Street’s power and influence continues to thwart progress on our most basic needs, on issues like public health, environmental protection, workers’ rights, and civil rights. The most fundamental component of our democracy, our ability to organize and successfully advocate for our needs, has been undermined. Join us on September 29th and 30th at NJEA Headquarters in Trenton (180 W. State Street) to learn how our economy, and our democracy, have been strip-mined by financial institutions. This intensive training will involve materials developed by Les Leopold, author of Runaway Inequality and director of The Labor Institute. We’ve already trained 45 educators, who are working across Jersey to share this content within their organizations, spreading the word to fellow activists. Join the discussion on direct actions that we can take to address the fundamental inequalities in our system. Space is limited to 20 participants.  Apply now for the Public Need over Corporate Greed Trainer Apprenticeship Program and help create [...]

On November 30, 2012 Jamie Hoyt, a resident of Bogata New Jersey, and two other Labor Ready temporary workers were moving racks of computers out of a Verizon facility in Pearl River, New York. Jamie was crushed by a falling computer racks and was killed. Jamie's family agreed to speak with us at the 2016 Workers' Memorial Day event organized by WEC and New Labor about what happened to Jamie in the hope that future workplace injuries and deaths may be avoided. Mike Hoyt explained how his brother Jamie was killed on the job. Jamie's co-worker filled in some of the specifics of what happened that day. Jamie's sister Mary Jo Hoyt explained that despite concern about the accident, the fine levied made a statement of its own. The family expressed concern that the risk all goes to the temp worker, not the contractor or corporation. Mike Hoyt stressed that the temp industry is growing, but no one has a stake in safety. Ann Hoyt, Jamie's sister, said talking about this issue is perhaps one way to see that things change. We also had a [...]