From workplace safety, to environmental cleanup, to financial oversight, business leaders have long complained that government regulations are costly and often threaten jobs. Republicans are sympathetic to the complaints. Democrats pushed back and suggested the benefits of certain regulations were missing from the debate.
The explosion that took the lives of five people and destroyed half a block in Allentown, Pa., this week appears to be the latest in a recent series of tragedies around the U.S. linked to leaks of natural gas.
There’s growing evidence that serious health problems threaten the Gulf Coast’s residents, cleanup workers and seafood consumers in the wake of the BP oil disaster. But so far the federal agencies in charge of responding to the disaster have failed to take adequate steps to help the injured and prevent further harm.
In a time of unparalleled aviation safety in the United States, reports of mistakes by air traffic controllers have nearly doubled — a seeming contradiction that puzzles safety experts.
Today, U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Peter King (R-NY), authors of H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, announced that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will be holding a public meeting in New York City on March 3rd to answer questions about how the new law will be implemented.
Police officers know the risks that come with taking the oath, donning the badge and carrying a handgun. They deal with potentially dangerous people every day and, so far in 2011, 11 officers have been slain. Recent headlines suggest that this may be an “unusual wave of violence,” a case of criminals “outgunning” police, or even a “war on cops.” It might be simply chance.
Smokers now face another risk from their habit: it could cost them a shot at a job. More hospitals and other medical businesses in many states are adopting strict policies that make smoking a reason to turn away job applicants, saying they want to increase worker productivity, reduce health care costs and encourage healthier living.
Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of the tragic start to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Hours before the opening ceremony at last year’s Winter Games, an athlete in the sport of luge died during a training run. After investigations and official reports, one luge official called the fatal crash an unforeseeable accident. But now, some are questioning that after a slew of Canadian media stories this week.
A town manufacturer of swimming pool chemicals faces up to $70,000 in penalties after being cited for workplace hazards by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, officials said Monday.
A rack of beer kegs collapsed and killed a man at a beer distributing plant in north Portland this morning, officials say.
