First the FDA turns a deaf ear on pharmaceutical drug public safety and now OSHA. What is this world coming to? When workers in a Missouri microwave popcorn plant started having breathing problems, OSHA took its good old time in overseeing workplace safety and notifying other related businesses about the problem.
The head of OSHA thinks that business should self regulate and self police their problems. He also doesn't think much of ergonomics and so what if your chair makes your back hurt or repetitive stress causes great pain. Get over it.
Business and their lobbyists have donated huge sums of money to the Bush Administration so they don't have to comply workplace safety. OSHA has eased regulations or weakened enforcement of rules on issues like driving hours for truckers, logging in forests, and corporate mergers. OSHA has been a friend to the construction industry and lessened the standards required to handle explosives. Now that's frightened!
As for employees in the fragrance and popcorn industries, they are forced to breathe in the vapors from exposure to diacetyl, a food-flavoring agent. Many employees now are diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare lung disease.
So far OSHA has refused to set any standards on how much exposure to diacetyl is deemed safe.
If you or a family member works in an industry that uses fragrances and flavors, you may be eligible for workers compensation. Currently there are more than 150 pending lawsuits in Missouri alone. While your employer, the Bush Administration, or OSHA might not care - we at the law firm do. Let us fight on your behalf. Please answer a few questions so we can evaluate the facts and find out how we can help you since no one else cares.
source: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/25/washington/25osha.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
