Government Spending Bill Includes Big Wins For Worker’s Safety
Source: NH Labor News
SAN DIEGO Millions of workers and their families can breath more safely now, said Jessica Martinez, Acting Executive Director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH). Its great news that despite efforts by special interests, the new proposed federal budget will not interfere with OSHAs decades-long effort to reduce worker exposure to deadly silica dust.
OSHAs new silica standard, scheduled for release in February 2016, is based on sound science and will require practical, economically feasible measures to control silica dust, said Peter Dooley, safety and health project consultant at National COSH. As a result, workplaces will be safer in construction, foundries, hydraulic fracturing, quarrying, tunneling and other industries. The public will also benefit from reduced exposure to silica dust, a known human carcinogen.
First responders to the 9-11 terrorist attacks also won an important victory, with a 75-year extension of the World Trade Center Health Program. Those who rushed to help on that tragic day are still suffering health impacts and must have access to medical monitoring and treatment, said Dooley.
A budget freeze at federal worker safety agencies, however, will reduce capacity for enforcement of important safety laws.
FULL story at link. NH Labor News is run by DUer Matt Murray.
Read more: http://nhlabornews.com/2015/12/50392/