Workers Memorial Day Reminds Us of Safety Risks, Hazards, Atrocities and Death

Progressive talk show host Leslie Marshall and USW International Vice President of Human Affairs Fred Redmond discuss Workers Memorial Day and the recent events in Texas and Bangladesh remind us that safeguards are necessary to protect employees in the workplace. In addition, lack of regulation and compliance also puts communities at-risk as well.

•    14 people killed in a devastating explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas.

•    340 people dead after Bangladesh building collapse.

•    13 Americans killed every day which translates into 4,000 workers killed each year.

•    Millions at risk of a hydrofluoric  acid (HF) release

The President Leo Gerard’s Blog addresses these issues:  West Blast Obliterates Safety Lie

From the New York Times, an editorial that addresses collective bargaining and health and safety rights while noting the large corporations who benefit from the exploitation: Another Preventable Tragedy in Bangladesh

Here’s a recently concluded study that warns that some 26 million people are at risk of a hydrofluoric  acid (HF) release from an oil refining process that could eliminate its use entirely, or at least establish greater safeguards: USW Study Warns Public about Dangers of Hydrofluoric Acid Use in Refinery Alkylation Process to Produce Clean-Burning Gasoline

To hear the discussion, click the audio below.