Cotton's Thread Through American Labor

How the Empire of Cotton Transformed Workers from Enslaved to Exploited

New Jersey's Workplace Safety Wins

A data-driven examination of seven years of workers' compensation trends reveals encouraging progress—and work still needs to be done.

Clocks and Dangers: Daylight Saving Time and the Spike in Workplace Injuries

Most people in the United States look forward to Daylight Saving Time (DST) every spring. We lose an hour of sleep but gain an extra hour of evening sunshine. While the sunnier evenings are enjoyable, the biannual switch to DST continues to pose a significant and measurable danger to workplace safety, a risk confirmed by over a decade of research.

The Evolving Threat: Modernizing Biosafety to Prevent a Pandemic

Nearly a decade and a half after the initial discussion on the accidental release of potential pandemic pathogens (PPPs), the topic remains a critical concern. As research continues on highly pathogenic viruses like avian influenza A(H5N1), a healthy dose of anxiety and a strong commitment to safety are more important than ever. The debate around the risk-benefit of such research, once highlighted by experts like Marc Lipsitch and Barry R. Bloom, is ongoing, with current research showing a non-negligible risk that an accidental escape event would not be contained.

Jersey Fights COVID Workplace Risks

New Jersey's bold move to expand COVID-19 vaccine access represents a critical step forward in workplace safety and pandemic preparedness at a time when other states are moving in the opposite direction. The Garden State's recent Executive Directive No. 25-003 and accompanying Standing Order demonstrate how state-level leadership can protect workers and communities when federal guidance falls short.

Asbestos Ban: A Win for Workers

In a significant development for public health and worker safety, the Trump administration has withdrawn its plan to reconsider the Biden-era ban on chrysotile asbestos, the last form of asbestos still imported and used in the United States. This reversal comes after a period of uncertainty and public outcry, marking a crucial step toward finally addressing the long-standing threat of asbestos exposure in the United States.

Remember the Dead, Fight for the Living

International Workers' Memorial Day, observed annually on April 28th, serves as a crucial reminder to honor those who have lost their lives or been injured at work and to advocate for safer working conditions for all.

Clocks and Dangers: Daylight Savings and Workplace Injuries

Most people in the United States look forward to Daylight Savings Time every spring. We lose an hour of sleep but gain an extra hour of sunshine in the evening. While many people enjoy the extra sunshine, they may not know the dangers of this switch. Studies have shown that the Monday following the switch to Daylight Savings Time is more dangerous for workplace injuries.

Algorithmic Burnout: Amazon's Warehouse Workers Under Siege

In a groundbreaking investigation, the United States Senate has exposed a disturbing reality within Amazon's warehouse operations: a systemic approach to worker productivity that comes at an unprecedented human cost. The report reveals a stark and troubling correlation between the company's relentless pursuit of efficiency and the physical well-being of its workforce.

NJ Contractor Cuts Corners, Risks Worker Lives

In a stark reminder of workplace safety, New Jersey contractor Jose Correa has pleaded guilty to a serious environmental crime that endangered construction workers in East Harlem. During a supermarket renovation project in late 2022, Correa made a dangerous and illegal decision that could have had devastating consequences.

OSHA Proposes a Workplace Heat Standard

OSHA’s proposed new workplace heat standard requires employers to develop a plan to identify and address heat hazards. This plan must include monitoring heat conditions, providing water, and training employees about heat safety. The standard also sets requirements for acclimatization for new and returning employees.

The New York Game: A Baseball Tale Steeped in Labor Struggles

Kevin Baker's "The New York Game" isn't just a love letter to baseball and the Big Apple. It's a rich tapestry that weaves the evolution of America's pastime with the burgeoning organized labor movement and the fight for workplace safety. While baseball takes center stage, Baker doesn't shy away from the harsh realities early ballplayers face.

OSHA Cites Oakland NJ Company with $257,931 in Penalties

A U.S. Department of Labor inspection in June 2023 at an Oakland, NJ manufacturing company — that followed reports of two workers being injured — found employees exposed to dozens of serious safety and health hazards.

Workers' Compensation Judges Exempt from Gun Permit Requirement

A Federal Judge, in a multifaceted decision, upheld a New Jersey law exemption that allows specific individuals to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Workers’ compensation judges actively handling cases are one of the groups of individuals who are exempt from the permit requirement. 

United Hospital Supply Corp. faces $498K in penalties after amputation incident

An employee's first day of work at a southern New Jersey manufacturing facility ended tragically when he suffered the amputation of three fingers while operating a press brake without required safety guards, similar to violations cited by federal safety investigators at the facility in 2010 and 2015.

NJ Supreme Court Enhances Workplace Safety and Adopts an Updated Standard for Medical Causation

A divided NJ Supreme Court upheld a verdict for an employee who suffered mesothelioma, a fatal cancer, as a result of a product manufacturer’s failure to warn of the lethal nature of the product in the workplace. The Court acknowledged that even minor exposure to asbestos could cause disease.

"Unmasking COVID" in 2022, Where Are We Now?

A panel of infectious disease experts and public health specialists of the Veterans Administration who have been involved in the national COVID response discuss strategies to contain the spread of the Omicron variant and stay safe.

Investing for the Next Pandemic

Preparing for the next pandemic is an essential need for all employers, employees, and insurance companies.  The failure of the public health system to handle COVID-19 is evident as the death toll (675,400) fatalities) has now exceeded the 1918 Spanish Flu mortality rate.  The US CDC is encouraging preparation by announcing the opportunity for final investment. It is also incumbent upon the workers’ compensation industry to expand its efforts for pandemic preparation  

National COVID-19 Aerosol Workplace Standard Urged

Leading public health and workplace safety experts have urged the Biden Administration to invoke immediate measures to reduce the aerosol spread based COVID-19 virus. In a letter to the national pandemic response team leaders, the experts have stated that urgent action is needed on a national scale.

Protecting Workers During the Pandemic

Workplace safety is a significant issue in the waning days of the Trump Administration as Congress struggles to pass legislation before the end of the calendar year when CARES Act support terminates for many American workers. As the winter/holiday season coronavirus surge challenges hospital capacity and causing additional closure of non-essential jobs, the Republicans remain adamant about restricting lawsuits against employers.