Tomorrow is Workers’ Memorial Day, during which we honor those who have lost their lives while on the job, by striving to make workplaces safer.  Unfortunately, 150 people die each day either on the job, or from occupation-related disease, according to an AFL-CIO report released yesterday. Part of our jobs as clinicians is to understand the risks and hazards that are associated with different jobs. Our mobile patients may be at particular risk of injury or illness, because of lack of training, language or cultural barriers with managers and/or coworkers, lack of awareness over workers’ rights on the job, precarious nature of temporary work that may discourage workers from speaking out about health and safety violations, and the hazardous nature of the work itself.  Today, our Five on Friday recommendations from staff are geared to train our sights on the myriad ways our patients may be at risk while at work. Check out MCN’s Environmental and Occupational Health webpage to learn more and find resources to better serve worker patients. 

National COSH Announces “Dirty Dozen” Employers

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health released its “Dirty Dozen” employers who they highlight as putting their workers at risk. Tesla, Amazon, and Lowe’s are called out as are berry giant Sarbanand Farms and poultry firm Case Farms.

“A National Crisis”: New AFL-CIO Report Reveals 150 Daily U.S. Worker Deaths in 2016

The AFL-CIO released a summary of its new report: “‘A National Crisis:’ New AFL-CIO Report Reveals 150 Daily U.S. Worker Deaths in 2016.”

Deaths of farmworkers in cow manure ponds put oversight of dairy farms into question

Cow manure ponds are dangerous and agricultural workers are often put at risk on dairy farms. Here’s a Washington Post article from last year on recent deaths.

Precarious Life of Texas Farmworkers Becomes Riskier with Warming

Heat kills agricultural workers every summer. This week, Scientific American ran an article contending that the “Precarious Life of Texas Farmworkers Becomes Riskier” as climate change advances. A related 2017 Reuters article showed that ”Immigrant workers in U.S. have tripled risk for heat-related death.”

America’s Worst Graveyard Shift Is Grinding Up Workers

Poultry workers continue to be at grave risk. This Bloomberg article on the topic and Oxfam America’s report show the heightened risk and the need for strong and regularly enforced regulations.

Have a safe and healthy weekend.

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