“There are more than 1.1 million people die from occupational accidents or work-related disease in Asia and the Pacific.” – International Labour Organization
National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) has revealed ‘12 dirty dozen’ dangerous companies for employees. It is highlighted that these organisations have put workers and communities at risk due to unsafe practices. Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, co-executive director of National COSH, said, “It is heartbreaking to see workers lose their lives when we know these tragedies could have been prevented. Time and again, employers are warned about unsafe conditions. When companies fail to correct safety hazards, it is workers who pay the ultimate price.”
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Here are “Dirty Dozen” for 2018.
01 Amazon in Seattle, Washington
Seven workers were killed at Amazon warehouses since 2013, including three workers within five weeks at three separate locations in 2017.
02 Case Farms in Troutman, North Carolina
More than four times higher than any other poultry firm, Case Farms reportedly has made 74 OSHA violations per 1,000 employees.
03 Dine Brands Global, Inc. (IHOP and Applebee’s) in Glendale, California
More than 60 complaints about sexual and harassment, and abuse came from this company. It is reported that there are cases of sex groping and threats of violence against workers.
04 JK Excavating in Mason, Ohio
25-year-old Zachary Hess was buried alive in December 2017. The company was previously cited three times by OSHA for failure to protect workers from trench collapse.
05 Lowe’s Home Improvement in Mooresville, North Carolina
56 U.S. deaths are linked to exposure to paint strippers containing methylene chloride, including 17 workers who died while refinishing bathtubs. The retail giant still sells products with this deadly substance despite appeals from workers, consumers, and families.
06 Lynnway Auto Auction in Billerica, Massachusetts
Five employees were found dead in an auto crash, including a 37-year-old mom working her first day on the job. Lynnway was cited by OSHA and warned of vehicle safety hazards in 2014.
07 New York and Atlantic Rallway in New York, New York
Workers suffered from amputation, brain injury, and impaired vision due to improper safety training or equipment. There are also immigrant workers who faced racial slurs and other discriminations.
08 Patterson UTI Energy in Houston, Texas
Five workers were found dead in an explosion in Quinton Oklahoma. 110 OSHA violations and 13 workers died in the past decade.
09 Sarbanand Farms in Sumas, Washington
Farm workers died after complaining of headaches. 70 co-workers did protest against unsafe conditions and were immediately fired, then evicted from company housing.
10 Tesla Motors in Fremont, California
Recordable injuries are 31 percent than industry average and serious injuries are 83 percent higher. Company claimed recent improvement in injury rates, but CAL/OSHA are still investigating reports that the company failed to report serious injuries.
11 Veria International in New Windsor, New York
Explosion killed a worker at cosmetics plant. Company previously cited for poor handling of chemicals that led to deadly blaze. Safety consultant says disaster was easily preventable.
12 Waste Management in Houston, Texas
23-year-old worker killed at a recycling facility. Company failed to lockout/tagout machinery during repairs.
It is obvious that no company wants to appear on a “blacklist” as not being competent in protecting employees from workplace hazard and injury. However, there is no company that is 100% safe. In this case, as cited in Business, “If worker is injured during course of their employment, they are entitled to make a worker’s compensation claim. Accidents usually need to be recorded in an accident log for insurance purposes.” Therefore, one of employer’s responsibilities is to ensure that all employees understand their rights and responsibility related to workplace accidents, as well as promote safety training with complete equipment.
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