Re: Safety 2009: Barab Urges Safety and Health Profession...

[Guest guest]

Hey Ginny,

I don't think many people know this, but acting director of OSHA, Jordon

Barab, is a blogger, just like some of us. As a result one can read what

and how he thinks. If there is anybody sitting in that position that has the

understanding and potential to make a difference, I think it may well be

this man. From his now defunct blog: _http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/_

(http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/)

And there are still far too many health and safety professionals that don’

t understand that to a very great extent, who lives and who dies in the

workplace is determined by politics – both power relationships in the

workplace, and traditional politics that determines who controls our

government.

What that means is that organizing unions and electing politicians who will

fight against unlimited corporate control over our regulatory agencies, our

workplaces and the environment are of vital importance to protecting the

health and safety of American workers.

Two events inspired me to launch this blog in March 2003. Following the

deaths of the Columbia astronauts in 2002, I woke up one morning realizing

that while a few workers killed in a workplace accident sometimes receive

_enormous media attention_ (hthttp://users.rcn.com/jbarab/Acts%20of%20God.pdf)

, most workers die alone and unnoticed by anyone except their immediate

families and friends. Something had to be done to ensure that these thousands

aren’t dying in vain.

The second event was the repeal of the OSHA ergonomics standard by the

Republican Congress and the Bush White House. That travesty of justice taught

me that if we’re going to make – and sustain -- any progress on workplace

safety in this country, many more people have to understand what’s

happening in American workplaces, the political context in which these

tragedies

occur, and the need to organize on a local and national level. Or, as

Silverstein wrote in his recent paper discussing the _future of OSHA_

(http://www.defendingscience.org/newsroom/upload/Silverstein_Complete_Draft.pdf)

, " political change must precede policy change.â€

When I started Confined Space in March 2003, it was all about me – a way

to vent, which I needed (thanks to our President and his cronies), a reason

to write (or rant) -- which I enjoy (and will miss) -- and a way to keep in

touch with friends and colleagues who I was afraid I’d lose track of.

But based on the mail I get from people, Confined Space became much more –

a source of much-needed news about what’s happening in our workplaces and

government agencies and a voice for those feeling politically frustrated.

But most important – and most unexpected -- it became a way for family

members and loved ones of those lost to the workplace to find meaning in the

death of their loved ones, a voice for their anger and a constructive

direction to fight the system that took their loved ones away. And perhaps it

even

provided some ideas and tools that they could use to wage their struggle.

Writing this blog became a learning experience for me as well. Not just

that it forced me to keep up with what was happening in the world of

workplace safety, but the Weekly Toll (thanks Tammy) and the thoughtful and

angry

notes and comments I received from the families and friends of those killed

in the workplace, brought me closer to the human tragedies faced by

thousands of American families every year. Confined Space provided a place for

them to tell their stories, stories that are almost never heard in our

newspapers, magazines, radio or TV. And with that came a renewed sense of

meaning

and inspiration -- raw energy – to challenge the low priority that the

politicians and media in this country give to workplace safety and workers’

health and lives.

But at the same time, I’m tired -- bone tired – not just from lack of

sleep (I didn’t have the luxury that some bloggers enjoy -- being able to

blog

at work), but also from writing the same sad stories – with different

names and details – over and over again. More and more frequently I’ve

gotten

the sense that I’m repeating myself; I’m not sure I have anything new to

say anymore. And maybe there isn’t really anything new to say; maybe it’s

always the same basic story; only the names and dates change. And so,

although it’s incredibly hard to think about leaving this behind, this is an

opportunity to move beyond writing to facilitate change.

Before I go, there are a few people I need to thank. Actually, there are

hundreds that I need to thank, but a few require special mention –

particularly at NYCOSH, Rory O’Neill at _Hazards_

(http://www.hazards.org/) and Tony Oppegard for keeping me supplied with news

and

perspective that I might otherwise have missed. Journalists Ken Ward at the

ton Gazette, Schneider at the Baltimore Sun, Steve lin at

the

Chicago Tribune and Barstow at the NY Times deserve lots of credit for

going the extra miles to dig out the stories behind the stories and setting

a standard that every journalist should strive to live up to.

But most of all I want to thank the families -- the wives, husbands,

daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers of those chewed up and

spit out by the system of work in this country. The courage, creativity and

resolve displayed by _Tammy Miser_

(http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/2006/11/chemical-safety-board-calls-for-osha.h\

tml) , _Coit _

(http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/2005/11/letter-from-father.html) , _

Vivenzi_

(http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/2006/03/more-on-death-of-francisco-alejandro.h\

tml)

, _Irene Warnock_

(http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/2006/05/my-son-was-killed-workers-memorial-day\

..html) , Misty Plante, _ Marts_

(http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/2003/12/you-done-killed-my-boy.html) , _Becky

_

(http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/2006/11/walking-away-from-negligent-homicide.

html) , Barb , _Holly Shaw_

(http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/2004/05/family-left-behind-death-of-scott-shaw\

..html) , Sharon Nichols, _

Heilert_ (http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/2005/08/weekly-toll.html) , _

_ (http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/2006/01/loss-of-great-man.html) ,

Robin Harpster, _Adam Turem_

(http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/2003/09/weekly-tollworker-killed-in-s.html) ,

_Donna Puleio Spadaro_

(http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/2004/10/life-and-death-of-gary-puleio-and-new.\

html) , Patience

Buck-Clarry, King, _Phyllis Oliver_

(http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/2004/08/i-dont-want-one-more-person-to-go.html\

) and _Betsy Shonkwiler_

(http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/2006/05/no-chance-for-closure-death-of-bob.h

tml) to name just a very few who have shared their sorrow, their anger

and their energy, have nourished me with the inspiration and fuel to carry on

through the late nights and early mornings.

(http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/5823/164/1600/753127/Dilbert%20blog.jpg)

And, of course, I need to thank my wife, Jessie, and the kids (,

Madeleine and ) for giving me a far longer leave of absence from

many familial duties than anyone really deserves.

Finally, I'd be remiss is I didn't thank the Bush administration

appointees, many Congresspersons and Senators, and scores of negligent

employers for

ensuring that there wasn't a single day over the past four years that I

didn't have plenty to write about.

I do have one major disappointment, though – that this blog is going out

childless, without issue. I had hoped for some offspring. You know, a few

similarly crazy people out there who would say “Hey, this is a good idea, but

he’s missing a bunch of stuff,†or “What a clutz. I can say this

better,â€

or “He’s full of shit. Listen to me. " So that when I passed on, there

would be two, five, a dozen workplace safety blogs to carry on.

But don’t despair. I’ve been having conversations with people about

continuing some parts of Confined Space, and Tammy will continue the Weekly

Toll

from another (to be announced) location. The _Pump Handle_

(http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/) will be carrying on with some of the more

newsy

parts of Confined Space. To the extent other blogs start picking up some of

this work, I’ll announce it here and in mailings to my list. And the archives

will remain as a resource.

So, has this blog had any impact on improving the conditions for workplace

safety in this country? Maybe. Enough? Not nearly. Since I started this

blog, the AFL-CIO has dismantled its safety and health department, OSHA has

issued only one new, weak standard (under court order) and expanded its

voluntary programs at the expense of enforcement. Immigrant fatalities continue

to grow, coal mine fatalities more than doubled last year, the Bush

administration continues to appoint political cronies and union busters to

agencies entrusted with ensuring workers lives and well-being and Congressional

oversight became a thing of the past -- until now. (On the other hand, when

I started this blog, President Bush’s favorable ratings were in the 70’s

and Republicans held both Houses of Congress. Now he’s in the low 30’s, the

Dems have taken charge of Congress, and they’ve hired me.) The real test of

success is how many more workplace safety activists exist today than

existed four years ago.

What comes next? I know what comes next for me. But what about you? What

needs to be done and how are we going to do it? Chew on that for a while.

As journalist Bill Moyers wrote in a recent must-read article in _The

Nation_ (http://www.thenation.com/docprint.mhtml?i=20070122 & s=moyersâ€) ,

The eight-hour day, the minimum wage, the conservation of natural

resources, free trade unions, old-age pensions, clean air and water, safe

food--all

these began with citizens and won the endorsement of the political class

only after long struggles and bitter attacks. Democracy works when people

claim it as their own.

And that goes for workplace safety as well.

In a message dated 6/30/2009 2:44:38 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

ginloi@... writes:

First, to ensure the " reality " of a " new " OSHA, the hands need to be

" untied. "

If an OSHA representative doing a building inspection finds mold or other

" contaminants " they have to feel " individually " safe to report them.

It ain't gonna happen, otherwise.

OSHA has been a useless vehicle in my opinion, because of the " top down "

regulation and interference by politics and special interest groups.

Useless. And the standards should be equal as between private violators and

public

sector violators. Private employers whom I have spoken with over the last

10 years resent, and rightfully so, the " pass " that has been given to

government buildings.

If, anything they should be setting the example of higher standards for

the occupants. If OSHA can't live up the the original mission statement, then

they should be disbanded. They are running for cover because of the

chicanery that has taken place while people are on the payroll doing little to

protect sick building occupants.

>

>

_http://ehstoday.http://ehstodahttp://ehsthttp://ehstodhttp://ehstoday.http:/_

(http://ehstoday.com/standards/osha/barab-urges-safety-health-professionals-i)

> nvolved-5550/

>

> Safety 2009: Barab Urges Safety and Health Professionals to Speak Up,

> Get Involved

>

> Jun 29, 2009 4:10 PM, by Walter

>

>

**************It's raining cats and dogs -- Come to PawNation, a place

where pets rule! (http://www.pawnation.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000008)

[Guest guest]

Thanks for that info. My experience has been different. OSHA should be present

at every Indoor Air Quality hearing (or lack thereof) all over the country.

They are in " Zones " and each regional zone should be involved in all the

state-run and local unions to let them know (as they did in the 1970's) and I

have firsthand knowledge as I taught in a vocational educational program which

had " shops " like automotive where worker safety was emphasized and OSHA workers

came in to do regular inspections. The zones may coincide with the federal

district court system.

There is not even a hint of local involvement. Hopefully, if he is an advocate

he will help make some changes that will filter down to every Zone " under " his

leadership.

>

> Hey Ginny,

>

> I don't think many people know this, but acting director of OSHA, Jordon

> Barab, is a blogger, just like some of us. As a result one can read what

> and how he thinks. If there is anybody sitting in that position that has the

> understanding and potential to make a difference, I think it may well be

> this man. From his now defunct blog: _http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/_

> (http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/)

>

[Guest guest]

Yea. Let's he can really make a difference. Check this out: He wrote

bascially the same thing you did about OSHA.

Almost no one understands that OSHA inspections are so infrequent and

penalties for endangering workers are so insignificant that there is almost no

disincentive for employers to break the law. Employers are almost never

criminally prosecuted for killing workers even when they knew they were

violating OSHA standards.

You know these things. But most Americans – including our political

leaders -- don’t have a clue. And most of this nation’s newspapers and

other

media aren’t helping.

The right to a safe workplace was won only after a long and bitter fight by

workers, unions and public health advocates. It was soaked in the blood of

hundreds of thousands of coal miners, factory and construction workers.

And the current movement to transform the agency into nothing but a

coordinator of voluntary alliances is a betrayal of that promise and those

lives.Hopefully in my new job, I can help to restore the system of checks and

balances that our constitution provides to make sure that our government does

what it’s supposed to do.

In a message dated 6/30/2009 8:13:37 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

ginloi@... writes:

Thanks for that info. My experience has been different. OSHA should be

present at every Indoor Air Quality hearing (or lack thereof) all over the

country.

They are in " Zones " and each regional zone should be involved in all the

state-run and local unions to let them know (as they did in the 1970's) and

I have firsthand knowledge as I taught in a vocational educational program

which had " shops " like automotive where worker safety was emphasized and

OSHA workers came in to do regular inspections. The zones may coincide with

the federal district court system.

There is not even a hint of local involvement. Hopefully, if he is an

advocate he will help make some changes that will filter down to every Zone

" under " his leadership.

>

> Hey Ginny,

>

> I don't think many people know this, but acting director of OSHA, Jordon

> Barab, is a blogger, just like some of us. As a result one can read what

> and how he thinks. If there is anybody sitting in that position that has

the

> understanding and potential to make a difference, I think it may well be

> this man. From his now defunct blog:

__http://spewingforthhttp://spehttp:_ (http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/_)

> (_http://spewingforthhttp://spehttp_ (http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/)

)

**************It's raining cats and dogs -- Come to PawNation, a place

where pets rule! (http://www.pawnation.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000008)