Millions of workers exposed each year to potentially cancer-causing metalworking fluids are getting no help from the Bush administration?s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), say Steelworkers and UAW union leaders. Earlier this year, OSHA stopped consideration of a new rule to set a stringent exposure standard to protect workers who handle the fluids widely used in manufacturing cars, farm equipment, aircraft and other metal products.
On Oct. 21, the USWA and UAW filed suit against U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit in Philadelphia. The unions are asking the court to order OSHA to issue standards reducing the permissible exposure to metalworking fluids in U.S. workplaces.
In 1993, after the UAW petitioned OSHA to reduce workers? exposure to metalworking fluids, the agency identified metalworking fluids as a regulatory priority. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found substantial evidence that metalworking fluids cause cancer of the larynx, rectum, pancreas, skin, scrotum and bladder. NIOSH then recommended a stringent exposure standard.
?Since 1993, millions of factory workers have been exposed to these hazardous chemicals,? says UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. ?Tragically, some have developed asthma, pulmonary fibrosis or other severe respiratory ailments, while others have cancer because of the metalworking fluid mists they?ve been forced to breathe at work.?
In July 1999, OSHA?s Standards Advisory Committee voted to recommend OSHA accept the NIOSH standard, and the agency began consideration of a new exposure rule. But earlier this year, OSHA withdrew consideration of a new rule from its regulatory agenda.
?This is an egregious example of a public rule-making process that has been obstructed by back-room industry lobbying,? says USWA President Leo Gerard.
?All we are asking is that OSHA do its job and take needed action to protect the health and safety of American workers.?
For more information
Visit the Steelworkers website, www.uswa.org and the Auto Workers website, www.uaw.org
Share
Millions of workers exposed each year to potentially cancer-causing metalworking fluids are getting no help from the Bush administration?s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), say Steelworkers and UAW union leaders. Earlier this year, OSHA stopped consideration of a new rule to set a stringent exposure standard to protect workers who handle the fluids widely used in manufacturing cars, farm equipment, aircraft and other metal products.
On Oct. 21, the USWA and UAW filed suit against U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit in Philadelphia. The unions are asking the court to order OSHA to issue standards reducing the permissible exposure to metalworking fluids in U.S. workplaces.
In 1993, after the UAW petitioned OSHA to reduce workers? exposure to metalworking fluids, the agency identified metalworking fluids as a regulatory priority. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found substantial evidence that metalworking fluids cause cancer of the larynx, rectum, pancreas, skin, scrotum and bladder. NIOSH then recommended a stringent exposure standard.
?Since 1993, millions of factory workers have been exposed to these hazardous chemicals,? says UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. ?Tragically, some have developed asthma, pulmonary fibrosis or other severe respiratory ailments, while others have cancer because of the metalworking fluid mists they?ve been forced to breathe at work.?
In July 1999, OSHA?s Standards Advisory Committee voted to recommend OSHA accept the NIOSH standard, and the agency began consideration of a new exposure rule. But earlier this year, OSHA withdrew consideration of a new rule from its regulatory agenda.
?This is an egregious example of a public rule-making process that has been obstructed by back-room industry lobbying,? says USWA President Leo Gerard.
?All we are asking is that OSHA do its job and take needed action to protect the health and safety of American workers.?
For more information
Visit the Steelworkers website, www.uswa.org and the Auto Workers website, www.uaw.org