Health Safety & Environment News
BASF Locals Discuss Plant Issues at Annual Council Meeting
BASF locals shared information, strategies and solidarity at their annual council meeting Aug. 1-2 in Geismer, La. Local 13-620 represents the workers at BASF’s Geismer plant and Unit Chair Doug Watts hosted the meeting.
USW@Work: Volume 13, Issue 4
In this issue: Recaps from the National Oil Bargaining Conference and Rubber and Plastics Industry Conference; updates on bargaining in steel and health care; the latest on our legislative and trade fights; highlight of USW Local 675; and more.
USW Succeeds in Lawsuit to End Delay of Chemical Disaster Rule
The USW succeeded in ending the Environmental Protection Agency’s delay of the Chemical Disaster Rule, but the fight continues to save the rule’s protections from EPA proposals to eliminate them.
California Regulators Fine Refiners for Not Involving Workers in Process Safety Management Planning
Some California refiners receive citations and fines from the state because of failure to involve employees in process safety management planning.
USW@Work: Volume 13, Issue 3
In this issue: updates from Steel, Paper and Oil Bargaining, a highlight of Local Union 419M whose members make Fiestaware; a recap of the 2018 Rapid Response Conference; an update on the lockout of Local Unions 12012 and 12003 at National Grid; and more.
Cheyenne, Wyoming Refinery Joins USW’s Triangle of Prevention Program to Improve Safety through Employee Involvement
Read how the USW’s Triangle of Prevention program can improve health and safety at HollyFrontier in Cheyenne, Wyo.
Supreme Court Pick Dangerous for Workers
Hear USW Legislative staff Anna Fendley and progressive talk show host Leslie Marshall discuss Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court and his anti-worker record that should disqualify him for the position.
EPA Head Removes Safety Protections from Chemical Disaster Rule
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt signed revisions to the EPA’s Risk Management Program (RMP) in May that eliminate safety protections for workers, first responders and communities.
Chemical Safety Board Guidelines Help Chemical Companies Prepare for Extreme Weather Events
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board investigated the incidents that occurred at the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas as a result from Hurricane Harvey. Click to read their key findings and what they learned.
USW@Work: Volume 13, Issue 2
In this issue: Highlight of worker-made, worker-owned Maryland Brush Co.; Installation of Officers; how a Wisconsin paper mill is coming back to life with assistance from the USW; Local Union 8888 celebrates 40 years; and more.
USW Teaches Hazard Mapping at University Park Site
Workers and management at Solvay’s University Park, Ill., plant are more aware of potential health and safety problems since they received USW training on hazard mapping last October during the facility’s annual safety day.
University Park Finishes Phase One of Exhaust/Ventilation Installation
Solvay workers can breathe freely at the company’s University Park, Ill., plant now that management has completed phase one of the exhaust and ventilation system.
USW Condemns EPA Chief’s Proposal to Revoke Chemical Disaster Regulations
The USW released the following statement today in response to the proposal by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt to rescind regulations — commonly called the “RMP Amendments” or the “Chemical Disaster Rule."
USW supports S. 2621, Protecting America’s Workers Act (PAWA)
Click here to view the USW's letter in support of PAWA.
Alert! Recall: Honeywell recalls hard hats due to risk of head injury
This recall involves Honeywell’s type 1 Fibre-Metal E2 and North Peak A79 hard hats.