I swear theres a ton of osha reportable BS that goes on here that just gets overlooked or ignored. People getting hit with sparks, burned, nosebleeds from heat/air quality. Unless someone gets hospitalized or has to be taken somewhere for treatment it doesnt seem to matter. Rarely do i see any kind of safety protocols implemented.
Yeah, SCOTUS said these companies are entitled to a jury trial instead of arbitration. I gotta imagine the fines against companies that lose these cases are about to go up by a few orders of magnitude
I'm pretty sure the ruling means people (companies) can sue more easily to challenge a law so it won't change things overnight, but we are opening the door for malicious actors to get their way instead of professionals setting knowledge based standards
The EPA did for sure. But they were interpreting laws as they saw fit to meet their own needs and get out of trouble. They were the ones who caused many of the issues including polluting an entire river because they didn’t listen.
I agree, but most places down here in the south that pay anywhere close to what we make here pay as much as they do because its shit work, often times in the heat or under dangerous circumstances. Id be hard pressed to find somewhere making as much as i do now that doesnt endanger my body or life. Luckily we havent had any deaths here, but weve had plenty of hospitalizations. Mangled limbs, people fainting, etc.
honestly though, the pay still isnt what it should be.
I worked at a government agency for a short period after retiring from the military. They were really tight on the heat during the winter, and refused to keep the offices comfortable. Suddenly the electric bills started going up, and there started to be a lot of popping breakers. The problem turned out to be all the individuals bringing small space heaters into their cubicles, under their desks.
When employees made it enough of a problem for management, management addressed the problem.
Yup, I work at a county building. All the HVAC is controlled from the central office. We don't have access to any thermostat controls. HVAC doesn't come on until 8am and is totally off on the weekends. If I come in early or on the weekends, my office can easily be under 60°, so I have a little 1500w heater under my desk to take the chill off.
But it's true. A man working for a landscaping company in Florida died of heatstroke because his boss wouldn't give him a break to get some water. Florida passed a bill that said no municipality can require employers to give water breaks. So the guy died.
Update: I hear you all and will be reporting quite a few things to OSHA asap. The turnover rate here is so bad and people are in and out of the door so often that many arent around long enough, or care enough to take action in reporting these things, much less even being aware of them. Going to HR is widely considered useless here so im going to do what i can to take things into my own hands. Found out that the reason the A/C was turned off to begin with was because it was leaking condensation onto machinery and damaging things, so rather than fix the leak properly they decided to just turn it off. Been that way for 3+ years, im mind boggled as to how this is the case. Then again im going off of word of mouth from coworkers who have been here longer than that, which are few and far between. Thanks to everyone who has urged me to seek out OSHA.
OSHA had temperature recommendations but they don’t have hard rules on it. I had a guy with major health issues causing him to bring a heater to work and jacking the heat to 95 degrees every day. It sucked because he made everyone else’s life miserable. He isn’t my problem anymore.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceO0NLdkq-U&ab\_channel=ColmR.McGuinness](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceO0NLdkq-U&ab_channel=ColmR.McGuinness)
Remember that regulations are written in blood.
That kind of heat exhaustion can kill a person and no one should die to make a living when it's easily preventable.
Report it to the fire department, OSHA, RSPCA even.
Anyone you can, then start talking to your friends about unions. Shit like this is why the union exists, people shouldn't die just so your boss can save a few bucks.
The cost of doing business is money not people.
Also keep in mind the other side effects of heat exhaustion, such as heightened irritability, anxiety, behaving strangely, fainting, poor coordination. These things can affect a persons home life even if they don't just drop dead.
Check out this post below, it's Australian, but we know how to manage heat here for obvious reasons.
[https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/healthy+living/protecting+your+health/environmental+health/healthy+in+the+heat/heat-related+illness+signs+symptoms+and+treatment](https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/healthy+living/protecting+your+health/environmental+health/healthy+in+the+heat/heat-related+illness+signs+symptoms+and+treatment)
Check your state’s labor laws and see if there are any protections for work conditions. You can also consult an attorney to see if there’s any recourse there. Most attorneys will give you a free consultation for your concerns. If there’s anything that can be done you might be able to get your coworkers to assist with retaining the attorney or to be in included on any potential case you may have.
Contact OSHA.
I could be wrong but didn’t osha and every other government agency get their wing clipped by the supreme court?
I swear theres a ton of osha reportable BS that goes on here that just gets overlooked or ignored. People getting hit with sparks, burned, nosebleeds from heat/air quality. Unless someone gets hospitalized or has to be taken somewhere for treatment it doesnt seem to matter. Rarely do i see any kind of safety protocols implemented.
Sounds like they should have been reported long ago. not to late to file a report.
make a complaint and report as much to OSHA as possible. also, fire Marshall takes fire safety very serious.
Not entirely. The ruling is that instead of OSHA defining what 'unsafe levels' are per a legislation, the courts do.
And how many of these are you reporting to OSHA?
One way to find out also the legislation put it on the states so it will take time for things to change. I would still contact OSHA.
Can we go ahead and clip the Supreme courts wings already?
Yeah, SCOTUS said these companies are entitled to a jury trial instead of arbitration. I gotta imagine the fines against companies that lose these cases are about to go up by a few orders of magnitude
Only in rule making outside of what the written law allows.
Chevron, yep, judges have the final say, not industry experts
A rightwing Supreme Court. Remember that in November and don't vote for the garbage who appointed the trash that got us here.
I'm pretty sure the ruling means people (companies) can sue more easily to challenge a law so it won't change things overnight, but we are opening the door for malicious actors to get their way instead of professionals setting knowledge based standards
Thanks for the explanation, commenting out of rage due to how screwed things have gotten🥲
The EPA did for sure. But they were interpreting laws as they saw fit to meet their own needs and get out of trouble. They were the ones who caused many of the issues including polluting an entire river because they didn’t listen.
A new American tradition should be holding union votes on hot days when the boss won't fix the AC.
Even given America's third world concepts of workplace protection there must be regulations covering this.
Reading up on OSHA heat guidelines now.
Don't work for a company that endangers your life.
I agree, but most places down here in the south that pay anywhere close to what we make here pay as much as they do because its shit work, often times in the heat or under dangerous circumstances. Id be hard pressed to find somewhere making as much as i do now that doesnt endanger my body or life. Luckily we havent had any deaths here, but weve had plenty of hospitalizations. Mangled limbs, people fainting, etc. honestly though, the pay still isnt what it should be.
The "high pay" isn't going to cover your hospital bill.
How high we talking?
> I agree, but most places down here in the south I am so sorry
I worked at a government agency for a short period after retiring from the military. They were really tight on the heat during the winter, and refused to keep the offices comfortable. Suddenly the electric bills started going up, and there started to be a lot of popping breakers. The problem turned out to be all the individuals bringing small space heaters into their cubicles, under their desks. When employees made it enough of a problem for management, management addressed the problem.
Yup, I work at a county building. All the HVAC is controlled from the central office. We don't have access to any thermostat controls. HVAC doesn't come on until 8am and is totally off on the weekends. If I come in early or on the weekends, my office can easily be under 60°, so I have a little 1500w heater under my desk to take the chill off.
Check your state’s labor laws about this. It’s likely illegal as those are dangerous conditions.
Depends on the state. I believe Florida and Texas rescinded mandatory water breaks.
Not in the south. Poor people are expendable here.
That’s terrible.
But it's true. A man working for a landscaping company in Florida died of heatstroke because his boss wouldn't give him a break to get some water. Florida passed a bill that said no municipality can require employers to give water breaks. So the guy died.
Not in the south. Poor people are expendable here.
Update: I hear you all and will be reporting quite a few things to OSHA asap. The turnover rate here is so bad and people are in and out of the door so often that many arent around long enough, or care enough to take action in reporting these things, much less even being aware of them. Going to HR is widely considered useless here so im going to do what i can to take things into my own hands. Found out that the reason the A/C was turned off to begin with was because it was leaking condensation onto machinery and damaging things, so rather than fix the leak properly they decided to just turn it off. Been that way for 3+ years, im mind boggled as to how this is the case. Then again im going off of word of mouth from coworkers who have been here longer than that, which are few and far between. Thanks to everyone who has urged me to seek out OSHA.
OSHA had temperature recommendations but they don’t have hard rules on it. I had a guy with major health issues causing him to bring a heater to work and jacking the heat to 95 degrees every day. It sucked because he made everyone else’s life miserable. He isn’t my problem anymore.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceO0NLdkq-U&ab\_channel=ColmR.McGuinness](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceO0NLdkq-U&ab_channel=ColmR.McGuinness) Remember that regulations are written in blood. That kind of heat exhaustion can kill a person and no one should die to make a living when it's easily preventable. Report it to the fire department, OSHA, RSPCA even. Anyone you can, then start talking to your friends about unions. Shit like this is why the union exists, people shouldn't die just so your boss can save a few bucks. The cost of doing business is money not people. Also keep in mind the other side effects of heat exhaustion, such as heightened irritability, anxiety, behaving strangely, fainting, poor coordination. These things can affect a persons home life even if they don't just drop dead. Check out this post below, it's Australian, but we know how to manage heat here for obvious reasons. [https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/healthy+living/protecting+your+health/environmental+health/healthy+in+the+heat/heat-related+illness+signs+symptoms+and+treatment](https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/healthy+living/protecting+your+health/environmental+health/healthy+in+the+heat/heat-related+illness+signs+symptoms+and+treatment)
OSHA.... They follow up real quick!
https://preview.redd.it/k9braen5lt9d1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=42415a59c2865836c0820ce9e5581ebcf6a9c774
Contact OSHA. And maybe the local Fire Department as well.
Check your state’s labor laws and see if there are any protections for work conditions. You can also consult an attorney to see if there’s any recourse there. Most attorneys will give you a free consultation for your concerns. If there’s anything that can be done you might be able to get your coworkers to assist with retaining the attorney or to be in included on any potential case you may have.
You should report this as an OHS issue. :)
I used to work in U.S. industry like this. Was told that any HVAC use would be for machinery need (to keep tight tolerances), not for human comfort
Time to join a Union get the job as head union official and start recruiting.
OSHA: "i feel a disturbance in the force..."