The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "occupational hazard" ...
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American Imports, Chinese Deaths
The U.S. imports $287.8 billion of products from China, however, the Chinese workers have no health and safety regulations. While making the imported products the workers suffer "from fatal occupational disease because they touch and inhale carcinogens," and "have suffered limb and finger amputations because of saw/cutting instruments they use are very old."
Tags: trade; China; worker safety; health; carcinogens; occupational hazard; amputation; disease; imports
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Violators: How they stack up
A Dayton Daily News computer analysis of Occupational Safety and Health Administration Records shows that from 1972 to 1990, Sparrows Point, a steel corporation, was inspected and cited 26 times in workers' deaths or serious-injury accidents. This is more than any other facility in the country. Employees say the company has put steel ahead of workers' lives. The records show the company violated government safety standards, failed to adequately train workers, and failed to at on employee complaints about hazards. This is part 2 of a 5 part series.
Tags: OSHA; Bethlehem Steel Facility; injury accidents; Occupational Safety and Health Administration Records; steel; hazards; safety practices; forklift; cranes; Sparrows Point; storage tank; carbon monoxide; OSHA violations; Armco Steel Corp; The Sorg Paper Co.; Dayton Walther Corp.; General Motors Corp.; Butler County Common Pleas Court; union; faulty breaks; steel corporations; amputations; burns; eye injury; concealing injuries
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Death of a lineman
The death of an electrical lineman in Maine prompted the paper to look at Central Maine Power Company's safety records. An OSHA investigation showed that CMP worked many of their workers for far too long. The man who died had worked his last 55 1/2 hours on about five hours of broken sleep. The investigation prompted the company to reach an agreement with its union to hire more workers, cut back on worker hours, and increase safety standards.
Tags: worker safety; electrical lineman; occupational hazards; workers compensation; workplace safety
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Workers unwittingly take home toxins
U.S.A. Today examines workplace hazards affecting people who have never set foot in the places that are poisoning them. "Employees endanger their loved ones when invisible but poisonous substances cling to their belongings," the investigation finds. The report is based on information from a database, which shows that employees in more than 35 states have unwittingly transported toxins away from work sites. Instances of known or possible take-home contamination have occurred in at least 40 industry, the story reveals, and in the past 20 years there have been more than 1,000 probable victims of exposure. The reporter points out that families remain at risk, because the health hazard is overlooked, undocumented and widely ignored.
Tags: employment; hazardous waste; mercury; cancer; lead; contamination; radioactive material; pesticides; public health: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); nuclear energy
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Bending the Rules
The National Law Journal reports on Clinton administration's project XL - shorthand for "excellence" and " leadership" - which rewards good corporate citizenship. Companies get year of relief from costly regulatory scrutiny, if they prove they can handle hazardous waste, plant more cleanly and take better care of their employees by using procedures different that those set out under the federal law. The project has raised concerns among environmentalists who find that the corporations granted the regulatory break may easily violate environmental laws, the Journal reports. Intel, Anheuser-Busch and 3M are among the few who received the opportunity to break federal laws.
Tags: EPA; politics; pollution; public health; safety; welfare; regulation; Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); workplace inspections; worker safety
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IRE Feed 1 "New Adventures in Computer Assisted Reporting."
A compilation of 12 stories: 1.) "Stolen Dreams" News 12 Long Island, Employees and Salesmen stealing pensions and retirement money. 2.) "Felon Voters" WCCO, Minneapolis, Convicted felons voting illegally. 3,) "Where Crime Happens." WBNS, Columbus, High-crime neighborhoods. 4.) "Ride At Your Own Risk" WTVJ, Miami, Cab drivers driving without licenses because of violations. 5.) "What's in the Tank?" KNXV, Phoenix, Gas incorrectly labeled. 6.) "The Dirty Dozen" WDIV, Detroit, Unclean restaurants with health violations. 7.) "Occupational Hazards" WSMV, Nashville, Unsafe work conditions ignored. 8.) "Unlucky 13" WRAL, Raleigh, A dangerous stretch of Interstate 95. 9.) "Owning Up" WNEM, Saginaw, Unpaid property taxes. 10.) "Hot Cars" WBNS, Columbus, The most frequently stolen cars. 11.) Wheel of Government" News 12 Long Island, Government cars used for non-government business. 12.) "Nursing Home Abuses." WDIV, Detroit, Health department violations, neglect, whistle blowers, cover up, sexual assaults, inadequate care and more.
Tags: TAPE; News 12 Long Island; WCCO; WBNS; WTVJ; KNXV; WDIV; WSMV; WRAL; WNEM.
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No title (id: 13099)
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. has a history of accidents in Arizona which have continued even after regulator's investigations, warnings and finings. An Arizona Republic reveals explosions, fire and chemical spills, and accidents injuring and killing workers at the world's second largest air-bag manufacturing company. (October 8, 1995)
Tags: Wagner Plant and factory regulation Occupational hazards OSHA 4 pgs.
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No title (id: 13070)
This Morning Call series found that the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration fails to shield workers from injury and death in Pennsylvania. OSHA inspects few worksites, misses accidents that maim workers and has no way of telling which workplaces are the most hazardous. (June 23 - 25, 1996)
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No title (id: 12865)
KTRK-TV finds that Houston is a city where thousands of buildings go uninspected for fire safety for years; warehouses loaded with hazardous chemicals, apartment complexes and schools. Acting on tips, and following a series of multi-alarm fires, KTRK maintained surveillance on the fire marshal's night shift and documented the widespread falsification of inspection records, the acceptance of liquor and other entertainment by some inspectors, and the use of phony occupancy permits to get away with overcrowding nightclubs. Nov. 8 - 10, 13 & 16, 1995)
Tags: TAPE; Dp; cefomp Cadema Lee CAR Fire inspectors Contest entry Public safety 13 pgs.
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Test
WJXT-TV reveals that the agency responsible for workerplace safety, the Occupational Safety and Hazard Adminsitration, had investigated fewer than one-third of all deaths during a three year period in Florida, even though federal law requires an investigation of all deaths, Nov. 28 - 29, 1994.
Tags: FL Van Osdol CAR CAJ OSHA records Police reports Tape Script