Silica rule sits at White House, endangering lives, worker safety advocates say
A long-awaited federal rule designed to protect workers in the construction and mining industries has been tied up in red tape at the White House, leading scientists to worry that the rule has been left in limbo due to political concerns. The rule put forth by the Labor Department would limit workers’ exposure to crystalline silica, a dangerous breathable dust commonly found in sand, granite and other materials used in construction. For construction workers and sandblasters in particular, breathing the dust over the course of years has long been known to lead to silicosis, a respiratory disease linked to lung cancer and respiratory failure.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/25/silica-rule-white-house-delay-worker-safety_n_1230800.html
Sickened and still waiting for justice: 9/11 first responders and Cold War nuclear weapons workers battle for fair compensation
On the one-year anniversary of President Obama signing the Zadroga Act into law, sickened 9/11 first responders and survivors were faced with a very difficult decision: in order to be considered for possible compensation benefits under the Zadroga Act, these 9/11 heroes would be required to drop any possible private litigation regarding illnesses developed from toxic exposures at the World Trade Center (WTC) site. For those sickened with cancer, the choice was far more ominous since the Zadroga Act does not currently provide compensation benefits for anyone that has developed cancer – and it remains unclear when cancer victims will be covered under the Zadroga Act, if ever.
http://www.truth-out.org/sickened-and-still-waiting-justice/1327421898
Landmark condom law for porn filming signed by L.A. mayor
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has signed into law historic new rules requiring porn performers to wear condoms while acting in areas requiring a city film permit. The law is believed to be the first in the nation by a local government requiring condom use among porn stars, and is significant because L.A.’s San Fernando Valley is the capital of the multibillion-dollar porn industry.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/01/landmark-condom-law-for-porn-filming-signed-by-la-mayor.html
District’s ‘prostitution free zones’ likely unconstitutional, AG’s office says
The D.C. Attorney General’s Office said Tuesday the District’s temporary “prostitution free zones” are likely unconstitutional, raising fresh doubts about a bill before the D.C. Council to broaden the zones and make them permanent.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-wire/post/districts-prostitution-free-zones-likely-unconstitutional-ags-office-says/2012/01/24/gIQAoc4MOQ_blog.html
Workers urge need for safety in refinery industry
Dozens of workers from the oil refinery industry hoped to create public awareness on Saturday afternoon with a message they believe resonates to a vital workforce in the region. Representatives from local chapters of the United Steelworkers and employees from local refineries in the petrochemical industry marked this year’s National Day of Action for Safe Refineries and Good Jobs with a rally they hoped would spark both public awareness and industry consciousness for the well-being of workers.
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/deer_park/news/workers-urge-need-for-safety-in-refinery-industry/article_dbe18075-58a2-582f-8ad4-8ae38db9a4ee.html?mode=story
Average is over
In the past, workers with average skills, doing an average job, could earn an average lifestyle. But, today, average is officially over. Being average just won’t earn you what it used to. It can’t when so many more employers have so much more access to so much more above average cheap foreign labor, cheap robotics, cheap software, cheap automation and cheap genius. Therefore, everyone needs to find their extra — their unique value contribution that makes them stand out in whatever is their field of employment. Average is over.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/opinion/friedman-average-is-over.html?_r=1&hp
MSHA announces results of December impact inspections
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 321 citations and orders during special impact inspections conducted at 10 coal mines and three metal/nonmetal mines last month.
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/msha/MSHA20120128.htm
Fairbury company says it’s working with OSHA
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed to fine Loveland Products Inc. in Fairbury $148,000 for 25 safety violations, 14 related to OSHA’s standard regulating process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals.
http://journalstar.com/business/local/osha-proposes-fine-for-fairbury-company/article_3a144c8b-d7a6-50e9-9f58-a51685d8de53.html#ixzz1kV4J6Zqm
U.S. forces rescue kidnapped aid workers Jessica Buchanan and Poul Hagen Thisted in Somalia
U.S. special operations forces have rescued a kidnapped American aid worker and her Danish colleague in Somalia, the White House and officials with the aid organization said Wednesday. Jessica Buchanan, 32, and Poul Hagen Thisted, 60, were abducted by a group of armed men in the Somali town of Galkayo on Oct. 25.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-forces-rescue-kidnapped-aid-workers-jessica-buchanan-and-poul-hagen-thisted-in-somalia/2012/01/25/gIQA7WopPQ_story.html
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