DCHAS-L Archives, Jan 28 2017 - Re: [DCHAS-L] [EXTERNAL] Re: [DCHAS-L] EPA Freezes Grants, CDC cancels climate change conference

Well, a rebuttal from the private and union sector is in order. There is no money, expertise or will in the private sector in my industries to take on doing the right thing by worker safety or the environment. The Producers and employers will always ask "what law says I have to do this?" No law? We get a fight to the death we can't afford.

The workers are then torn between employers who say the government agrees with them that there is no problem, and the union stands alone saying that there is. We can offer all of the studies and data documenting the problem, but the workers can't really interpret this enough to stand with us.

In case no one has told you, what you do in the federal government is IMPORTANT. Far more important than your post indicates that you think it is. And only the federal government can take on the expensive environmental issues and the basic protection of millions of workers. So in answer to your question: "since when does the private sector have to wait and only follow Federal/state regulations? " The answer is "since the start of the industrial revolution."

Stop and think a minute about those workers who really need good laws to be safe. Do you really think grips and stagehands, fast food workers, garment workers, or construction workers can "use that science to convince your CEO, Boards of Director, or whoever is in charge to make the change?"

The real workers in my union and the non-union workers on the streets where I live are in pain. The agencies that could help are being restricted and the minimum wage is at risk. Do you REALLY think that these people can also take on environmental issues when they can't feed their families?

Monona Rossol, M.S., M.F.A., Industrial Hygienist

President: Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, Inc.

Safety Officer: Local USA829, IATSE

181 Thompson St., #23

New York, NY 10012 212-777-0062

actsnyc**At_Symbol_Here**cs.com www.artscraftstheatersafety.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Wardecke, Jon <Jon.Wardecke**At_Symbol_Here**VA.GOV>
To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Sent: Fri, Jan 27, 2017 10:11 am
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] [EXTERNAL] Re: [DCHAS-L] EPA Freezes Grants, CDC cancels climate change conference

Evidently most of the readers do not work in the Federal Government. Budgets increasing or decreasing is a regular reoccurrence for the life of a federal worker - our budgets and specific priorities change every year but the mission continues. I work in the VHA and our budgets were near an all-time low in the last 90's and then the winds of Congress changed and budgets/programs increased. For those focusing on the safety side - OSHA budgets have not been all that generous over the last 8 years but that will ebb/flow just like all the other budgets. Now if the order came to eliminate an organization like the EPA, I would be concerned - but a change in priorities/focus is normal business in the Federal Government. One thing that is always certain in the Federal Government is "change".

Thought - since when does the private sector have to wait and only follow Federal/state regulations. Private sector may always be more protective/stringent simply through their internal policy change. So if greenhouse gas, product stewardship, or any other topic is a concern for the organization - they can make it happen. Maybe we need to become agents of change in our organizations for best practice instead of waiting for the government to mandate it. I hear much talk about "all the science in recent posts" - well, use that science to convince your CEO, Boards of Director, or whoever is in charge to make the change.

Thoughts from a person who has worked in private, municipal and federal sectors.

Jon Wardecke, CIH, HEM

Industrial Hygiene/Safety Manager

Clement J Zablocki VA Medical Center
5000 West National Avenue (00S), Milwaukee, WI 53295
(414) 384-2000 X42934

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of ILPI Support
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2017 8:32 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [DCHAS-L] EPA Freezes Grants, CDC cancels climate change conference

Good news and bad news on this front today. First the good news:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/01/26/allaying-concerns-epa-lifts-temporary-freeze-grants-states/97103198/ (although the gag order remains in place)

And now the bad:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-epa-plans-20170126-story.html

Rob Toreki

======================================================

Safety Emporium - Lab & Safety Supplies featuring brand names

you know and trust. Visit us at http://www.SafetyEmporium.com

esales**At_Symbol_Here**safetyemporium.com or toll-free: (866) 326-5412

Fax: (856) 553-6154, PO Box 1003, Blackwood, NJ 08012

--- This e-mail is from DCHAS-L, the e-mail list of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety. For more information about the list, contact the Divisional secretary at secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org

About This Archive \|	DCHAS-L 2017 Index \|	DCHAS-L Yearly Index
Search All Posts: Advanced Search Disclaimer