OSHA Looks The Other Way

The NY Times ran a series of three articles about worker deaths and OSHA's inability and unwillingness to go after the companies responsible. Even though we all know how little value is placed on workers' health and safety on a daily basis, the stories and statistics in the articles will still leave you shaking your head in disbelief and anger.

The first article, "A Trench Caves In; a Young Worker is Dead. Is It a Crime?" was in this past Sunday's Times. The second article, "U.S. Rarely Seeks Charges for Deaths in the Worplace," was in today's Times (front page and two full pages inside). The third article, "The California Way," shows how one state makes the law work.

These articles are definitely worth reading. If you go to the Times website, there is also an interactive feature, more photos (some graphic and very disturbing), video and a slide show narrated by reporter David Barstow. They are now archived and you must give a password to see them. Go to NEW YORK TIMES

I hope reading these articles will renew and strengthen everyone's resolve to keep fighting this kind of injustice. I'm not one for making New Year's resolutions, but this is one I plan on keeping.

Micki Siegel de Hernandez
Director of Health and Safety
CWA District One

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