#asbestos workers union

[iupatpainters]

Asbestos Workers Union - IUPAT

Hazmat workers help keep our communities clean and are on the cutting edge of eco-friendly waste removal. This role is high energy and each day is different. Do you see yourself starting a career as a hazmat worker? Contact us today. https://iupat.on.ca/start-a-career/hazmat-workers/

[batboyblog]

Things Biden and the Democrats did, this week #10

March 15-22 2024

The EPA announced new emission standards with the goal of having more than half of new cars and light trucks sold in the US be low/zero emission by 2032. One of the most significant climate regulations in the nation’s history, it'll eliminate 7 billion tons of CO2 emissions over the next 30 years. It's part of President Biden's goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 on the road to eliminating them totally by 2050.

President Biden canceled nearly 6 Billion dollars in student loan debt. 78,000 borrowers who work in public sector jobs, teachers, nurses, social workers, firefighters etc will have their debt totally forgiven. An additional 380,000 public service workers will be informed that they qualify to have their loans forgiven over the next 2 years. The Biden Administration has now forgiven $143.6 Billion in student loan debt for 4 million Americans since the Supreme Court struck down the original student loan forgiveness plan last year.

Under Pressure from the administration and Democrats in Congress Drugmaker AstraZeneca caps the price of its inhalers at $35. AstraZeneca joins rival Boehringer Ingelheim in capping the price of inhalers at $35, the price the Biden Admin capped the price of insulin for seniors. The move comes as the Federal Trade Commission challenges AstraZeneca’s patents, and Senator Bernie Sanders in his role as Democratic chair of the Senate Health Committee investigates drug pricing.

The Department of Justice sued Apple for being an illegal monopoly in smartphones. The DoJ is joined by 16 state attorneys general. The DoJ accuses Apple of illegally stifling competition with how its apps work and seeking to undermining technologies that compete with its own apps.

The EPA passed a rule banning the final type of asbestos still used in the United States. The banning of chrysotile asbestos (known as white asbestos) marks the first time since 1989 the EPA taken action on asbestos, when it passed a partial ban. 40,000 deaths a year in the US are linked to asbestos

President Biden announced $8.5 billion to help build advanced computer chips in America. Currently America only manufactures 10% of the world's chips and none of the most advanced next generation of chips. The deal with Intel will open 4 factories across 4 states (Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico, and Oregon) and create 30,000 new jobs. The Administration hopes that by 2030 America will make 20% of the world's leading-edge chips.

President Biden signed an Executive Order prioritizing research into women's health. The order will direct $200 million into women's health across the government including comprehensive studies of menopause health by the Department of Defense and new outreach by the Indian Health Service to better meet the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native Women. This comes on top of $100 million secured by First Lady Jill Biden from ARPA-H.

Democratic Senators Bob Casey, Tammy Baldwin, Sherrod Brown, and Jacky Rosen (all up for re-election) along with Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, and Sheldon Whitehouse, introduced the "Shrinkflation Prevention Act" The Bill seeks to stop the practice of companies charging the same amount for products that have been subtly shrunk so consumers pay more for less.

The Department of Transportation will invest $45 million in projects that improve Bicyclist and Pedestrian Connectivity and Safety

The EPA will spend $77 Million to put 180 electric school buses onto the streets of New York City This is part of New York's goal to transition its whole school bus fleet to electric by 2035.

The Senate confirmed President Biden's nomination of Nicole Berner to the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Berner has served as the general counsel for America's largest union, SEIU, since 2017 and worked in their legal department since 2006. On behalf of SEIU she's worked on cases supporting the Affordable Care Act, DACA, and against the Defense of Marriage act and was part of the Fight for 15. Before working at SEIU she was a staff attorney at Planned Parenthood. Berner's name was listed by the liberal group Demand Justice as someone they'd like to see on the Supreme Court. Berner becomes one of just 5 LGBT federal appeals court judges, 3 appointed by Biden. The Senate also confirmed Edward Kiel and Eumi Lee to be district judges in New Jersey and Northern California respectively, bring the number of federal judges appointed by Biden to 188.

[whumpster-fire]

Yeah uhh, at least in a D&D and D&D-derived setting context, Paladin does not just mean "nice person who helps people and the community," it is inherent to the concept of the class that they are a person with an extremely strong conviction that there are problems that need to be solved with violence and a willingness to take up the burden of doing so to keep others safe - and, classically, that they believe in some sort of social order and fight to protect it against those who would destroy it or subvert it for their own means. That doesn't mean they can't act outside of or in opposition to "official" power structures but, like, if a modern AU paladin's day job doesn't involve actively stopping The Forces Of Evil from harming innocents then they should be doing it on the side.

Like a sanitation worker can totally be a paladin but inherent to their paladin-ness is that they aren't just the coworker with first aid training, they're the coworker who shows up to a picket line ready to throw down with cops / corporate union-busting goons if they start something.

If you really, really want to do a nonviolent adaptation of a paladin I do agree with defense lawyer like people in the notes are suggesting but also consider things like an employment lawyer or personal injury lawyer who goes after powerful people and institutions responsible for injustice and makes them face consequences for their actions, and makes sure the victims of injustice receive restitution. Being a lawyer responsible for things like victims of mesothelioma being entitled to financial compensation from asbestos manufacturers is right in line with a paladin's role. If you really want to have fun with it, as an added bonus you can have them dressed as a knight in shining armor on the billboard ads.

i hate whenever theres a paladin/knight/generally gruff protector-type character in an alternate or historical time period, and when theyre adapted to the modern day or theres a popular modern AU headcanon theyre ALWAYS a cop. you fools. you fucking fools. a good aligned paladin wouldnt be a cop they would be a drug sponsor. a domestic cleaner. a child support worker. a sanitation worker. its not about cutting people in half with a zweihander its about serving the goddamn community

[dean2000]

Steps to Prepare for a Safe Career in the Construction Industry

The construction industry is a dynamic and essential sector that drives global development. However, it is also inherently risky, with workers facing various hasards daily. To ensure a successful and safe career in construction, preparation is key. This blog explores critical steps to equip yourself for safety and success in the construction industry.

1. Understand the Industry and Its Risks

Before diving into construction, familiarise yourself with the industry’s scope, demands, and risks. Construction jobs often involve heavy machinery, heights, power tools, and hasardous materials. Researching these aspects can help you develop a realistic expectation of what the job entails and prepare mentally and physically.

Key Risks in Construction:

Falls from heights

Machinery accidents

Electrocution

Exposure to harmful substances like asbestos and silica

Repetitive strain injuries

Understanding these risks is the first step toward mitigating them.

2. Obtain Necessary Education and Certifications

Many construction roles don’t require a traditional college degree, but specialised training and certifications are essential. A strong foundation in technical knowledge not only boosts employability but also ensures you know how to stay safe on the job.

Basic Educational Pathways:

High school diploma or equivalent, focusing on subjects like math, physics, and engineering fundamentals.

Certifications to Consider:

White Card Training: In many countries, such as Australia, obtaining a White Card is mandatory to work on construction sites. This certification ensures workers understand basic safety principles.

First Aid Certification: Essential for responding to emergencies.

OSHA Training (U.S.): Offers different safety courses tailored to various job roles.

Specialised Machinery Licenses: For operating equipment like cranes, forklifts, or excavators.

Investing in continuous learning keeps your skills sharp and aligned with industry standards.

3. Build Physical and Mental Resilience

Construction work is physically demanding. Strength, endurance, and agility are often necessary for handling tools, climbing, and working in challenging environments. Equally important is mental resilience, as the job can be stressful and demanding.

Physical Preparation Tips:

Exercise Regularly: Focus on strength training, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance.

Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration improves focus and physical performance.

Follow a Balanced Diet: Nutrient-rich foods fuel long hours of work.

Mental Preparation Tips:

Develop Stress-Management Skills: Practices like mindfulness or yoga can help maintain focus.

Seek Support: Connect with mentors or colleagues who understand the industry.

Stay Alert: Fatigue and distractions can lead to accidents. Prioritise rest and recovery.

4. Learn and Follow Safety Protocols

Safety is paramount in construction. Familiarise yourself with workplace safety regulations, procedures, and best practices to minimise risks.

Key Safety Practices:

Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This includes helmets, gloves, goggles, steel-toed boots, and reflective vests.

Inspect Tools and Equipment: Check for wear and tear before use.

Understand Emergency Protocols: Know what to do in case of fires, falls, or other emergencies.

Practice Good Housekeeping: Keep work areas clean and organised to prevent trips and falls.

Employers typically provide site-specific safety training. Actively participate in these sessions and ask questions to clarify doubts.

5. Gain Hands-On Experience

Practical experience is invaluable in construction. Most employers prefer candidates who have worked on-site and understand the demands of the job. Internships, apprenticeships, or entry-level roles can provide this exposure.

How to Gain Experience:

Volunteer for Small Projects: Start with community projects or assisting contractors.

Enroll in Apprenticeship Programs: Many trade unions and companies offer structured training programs that combine classroom learning with hands-on work.

Network with Industry Professionals: Attend industry events or join professional associations to build connections.

Experience not only boosts confidence but also helps you navigate real-world challenges effectively.

6. Develop Soft Skills

While technical expertise is essential, soft skills are equally critical for a thriving construction career. Effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities enhance collaboration and efficiency on-site.

Essential Soft Skills in Construction:

Communication: Clearly convey instructions and understand feedback.

Adaptability: Quickly respond to changing conditions or unexpected issues.

Problem-Solving: Assess situations and make informed decisions under pressure.

Time Management: Meet project deadlines without compromising quality.

These skills can set you apart in a competitive job market and foster a safer work environment.

7. Stay Updated with Industry Trends

The construction industry is evolving, with new technologies and methods reshaping the landscape. Staying informed about these developments ensures you remain competitive and well-prepared.

Emerging Trends in Construction:

Sustainable Building Practices: Use of eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs.

Technology Integration: Adoption of drones, 3D printing, and Building Information Modeling (BIM).

Safety Innovations: Wearable technology to monitor worker health and improve safety.

Subscribe to industry publications, attend webinars, and participate in training sessions to stay ahead of the curve.

8. Understand Your Rights and Responsibilities

A safe workplace is a shared responsibility between employers and employees. Familiarise yourself with labor laws and workplace safety regulations to understand your rights.

Key Rights of Construction Workers:

Right to a safe working environment.

Access to appropriate PPE and safety training.

Freedom to report unsafe practices without fear of retaliation.

Your Responsibilities:

Adhere to safety protocols and use equipment properly.

Report hasards or violations to supervisors.

Participate in safety training and audits actively.

Knowing your rights empowers you to advocate for safety and fair treatment on the job.

9. Build a Professional Network

Networking can open doors to mentorship opportunities, job leads, and industry insights. A strong professional network also serves as a support system throughout your career.

How to Build Your Network:

Join Professional Organisations: Groups like the Construction Management Association or trade unions can connect you with peers and leaders.

Leverage Online Platforms: LinkedIn and industry-specific forums are excellent for showcasing your skills and connecting with professionals.

Attend Industry Events: Conferences, workshops, and trade shows offer opportunities to learn and network.

Building relationships can accelerate career growth and provide valuable guidance.

10. Foster a Safety-First Mindset

Ultimately, a safe career in construction depends on cultivating a safety-first mindset. Make safety a priority in every task, no matter how routine or urgent.

Encourage Safety Culture:

Lead by example by consistently following safety protocols.

Share knowledge and encourage open communication about safety practices.

Regularly review and update safety measures based on new learnings.

A proactive approach to safety benefits everyone on the construction site, reducing accidents and fostering a positive work environment.

Conclusion

Preparing for a safe career in the construction industry requires a blend of education, physical readiness, hands-on experience, and a commitment to safety. By following these steps, you can build a strong foundation for a successful and fulfilling career while minimising risks to yourself and others.

The construction industry offers immense opportunities for growth and impact. With the right preparation and a safety-first mindset, you can contribute meaningfully to shaping the built environment while protecting your well-being.

[head-post]

Transport strikes in Europe threaten holiday travel plans

Transport links in Europe will be significantly disrupted as workers begin a series of strikes over economic policy and labour rights, with the protests coinciding with the holiday travel season.

Transport strikes in Italy

Delays and cancellations could affect ferry services to Sicily and Sardinia, as well as the operation of toll booths on the country’s motorways.

The strike, organised by the USB (Unione Sindacale di Base) union, is being held to protest against the government’s economic policies, which union leaders say increase social inequality and hinder deindustrialisation.

Italy’s major airports will also be affected by a 24-hour strike by air navigation staff at TechnoSky and a shorter strike by air traffic controllers on December 15. These protests are supported by several of Italy’s leading transport unions.

In Italian cities, passengers are also expected to experience disruptions in public transport due to a four-hour nationwide strike on January 10 called by the FAISA-CONFAIL union.

Although disruptions will vary from city to city, the strike by public transport operators is likely to affect buses, trams, commuter trains, riverboats and ferries, as well as metro lines. Long-distance railway services and taxi services are not expected to be affected.

In addition, train delays and cancellations are planned in the Florence agglomeration, and long-distance trains may be disrupted on January 12. This is due to a strike by employees of the managing railway network Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI).

In Florence, there may also be disruptions to trams on January 25 due to a 24-hour protest by employees of Gest, the company that manages their traffic. Passengers are advised to check whether transport will run as scheduled before leaving home.

Situation in France

Several planned strikes will affect French train passengers from December 11. An end date for the industrial action has not yet been set, so it is likely to last until Christmas. Both TGV high-speed trains and international routes and TER regional lines will be under threat.

Rail workers from the country’s four main unions are protesting against the growing privatisation of regional rail routes by the state-owned rail company SNCF.

Although strike announcements in France usually appear on train timetables 48 hours in advance of the action, it’s worth checking them on the day you plan to travel.

French ports will are affected by the dockers’ strike on December 9-10. However, it is expected to affect mainly freight traffic, with passenger services only minimally disrupted.

The protest is organised by the CGT (General Confederation of Labour) union, which is demanding higher wages and pension plans for workers, as well as addressing harmful asbestos problems at several ports.

Finnair flights have been affected

Finland’s flagship carrier, Finnair has cancelled 300 flights on December 9 and December 13, which will affect around 33,000 air passengers. This is due to a strike called by the Finnish Airline Pilots’ Association. Finnair warns that flights on other dates near these two days of industrial action may also be affected.

Nationwide bus strikes in Spain

The nationwide bus strike in Spain, which began at the end of November, is expected to continue into December, causing significant disruption to both local and intercity bus services.

The strike will particularly affect regional services in Murcia and Andalusia. The protests were organised by the Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT) union to demand better working conditions for drivers and the possibility of early retirement without financial penalties.

Read more HERE

[deonnarosspbhl5400800]

PBHL5400-800- Final

Describe federal and state regulatory programs, guidelines and authorities that control environmental health issues.

Environmental policy is a statement initiated by public or private sectors of its intentions and principles in relation to its overall environmental performance (Friis, 2019).  Environmental policies provide framework for action and for the setting of environmental objectives. The overall goal is to reduce human risk, or environmental damages resulting from pollution (Friis, 2019) . The United States has two sets of environmental regulatory bodies: Federal and state agencies. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA is a federal agency sets the national standard for environmental protection. It is designed to protect people and the environment from significant health risks, sponsors and conducts research, and develops and enforces environmental regulations. Regulatory measures include the following:

Provides technical assistance to support recovery planning of public health and infrastructure, such as wastewater treatment plants.

Provides technical assistance for long-term cleanup to minimize public health threats, including environmental sampling and monitoring, site assessment, decontamination, and disposal.

Provides environmental surveillance.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. U.S. Department of the Interior. (2016, March 7). https://www.doi.gov/recovery/about-us/primary-agencies/EPA#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency,human%20health%20and%20the%20environment.

In addition to the EPA, other federal agencies that work on environmental health issues include: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), European Union (EU) and European Environment Agency (EEA), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Consumer Product Safety Commission, The Department of Energy, The Department of Health and Human Services, U.S Food and Drug Administration, and Health Resources and Services Administration (Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Enhancing Environmental Health Content in Nursing Practice, 1995).

At the state level, policymakers are considering ways to evaluate communities that may be disproportionately affected by pollution and other environmental hazards, with several states establishing related offices and commissions (Report state and federal Environmental Justice efforts 2023).  Since 2007, states have established task forces, commissions, and offices to focus on issues in overburdened communities.  These initiatives can include adopting policies to reduce environmental health impacts, reform and increase opportunities for communities to weigh in on environmental decision-making processes (Report state and federal Environmental Justice efforts 2023).  The Consumer, Environmental and Occupational Health Service (CEOHS) serves the communities and workers through activities aimed at improving the health and well-being of all New Jersey residents. Its mission are preventive initiatives to decrease disease and injury by reducing exposure to chemical, physical and biological hazards (Jpatel, Environmental health). CEOHS services include childcare center health assessments, hazardous site health evaluation, food and drug safety, asbestos and lead training and certification, and environmental and occupational disease tracking (Jpatel, Environmental health).

References

Friis, R. H. (2019a). Essentials of Environmental Health. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Enhancing Environmental Health Content in Nursing Practice. (1995, January 1). Environmental health resources: Agencies, organizations, services, general references, and tables of environmental health hazards. Nursing Health, & Environment: Strengthening the Relationship to Improve the Public’s Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK232383/

Jpatel. (n.d.). Environmental health. Department of Health | Environmental Health. https://www.nj.gov/health/ceohs/

Report state and federal Environmental Justice efforts. National Conference of State Legislatures. (2023, May 23). https://www.ncsl.org/environment-and-natural-resources/state-and-federal-environmental-justice-efforts#:~:text=State%20legislatures%20and%20the%20federal,regulatory%2C%20permitting%20and%20compliance%20processes.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. U.S. Department of the Interior. (2016, March 7). https://www.doi.gov/recovery/about-us/primary-agencies/EPA#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Environmental%20Protection%20Agency,human%20health%20and%20the%20environment.

[newstfionline]

Saturday, May 11, 2024

The U.S. is now Germany’s biggest trading partner—taking over from China (CNBC) After years of China being Germany’s main trading partner, the U.S. looks like it’s quietly taking that top spot as the year progresses. Combined exports and imports between Germany and the U.S. totaled 63 billion euros ($68 billion) between January and March on 2024. Meanwhile, trade between Germany and China came to just below 60 billion euros, according to CNBC calculations. China has been Germany’s biggest trading partner for years, but the gap between China and the U.S. narrowed in recent years. The U.S. has also long been a bigger market for German exports than China, Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg Bank, told CNBC. While the U.S. share of German exports had been growing in recent years, China’s has been decreasing, he noted. “The Chinese economy is stuttering and German companies are facing stiffer competition from subsidised Chinese firms,” Schmieding said.

How 360,000 Haitians Wound Up Living in Empty Lots and Crowded Schools (NYT) Hundreds of thousands of people in Haiti are on the run from rampant gang violence and have abandoned their homes, a worsening humanitarian crisis that the United Nations describes as “cataclysmic.” Masses of homeless families dodging gang members who burned down their houses and killed their neighbors have taken over dozens of schools, churches and even government buildings. Many places have no running water, flushing toilets or garbage pickup. The lucky ones are sleeping on a friend’s sofa. “There are kids at my camp who have no parents,” said Agenithe Jean, 39, who left her home in the Carrefour Feuilles neighborhood of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, in August for an improvised camp in an empty lot about six miles away. “We need latrines. We need somewhere to go.” At least 360,000 people—more than half of them in the capital or surrounding neighborhoods—have fled their homes in Haiti over the past year.

Brazilian horse stranded on a roof by floods is rescued after stirring the nation (ABC News) A Brazilian horse nicknamed Caramelo by social media users garnered national attention after a television news helicopter filmed him stranded on a rooftop in southern Brazil, where massive floods have killed more than 100 people. About 24 hours after he was first spotted and with people clamoring for his rescue, a team in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state on Thursday successfully removed Caramelo, providing a dose of hope to a beleaguered region. The brown horse had been balancing on two narrow strips of slippery asbestos for days in Canoas, a city in the Porto Alegre metropolitan area that is one of the hardest-hit areas in the state, much of which has been isolated by floodwaters.

Argentina labor unions’ 24-hour strike against President Milei paralyzes daily life (AP) Argentina’s biggest trade unions mounted one of their fiercest challenges to the libertarian government of President Javier Milei, staging a mass general strike on Thursday that led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and halted key bus, rail and subway lines. Main avenues and streets, as well as major transportation terminals were left eerily empty. Most teachers couldn’t make it to school and parents kept their children at home. Trash collectors walked off the job—as did health workers, except for those in emergency rooms. The 24-hour strike against Milei’s painful austerity measures and contentious deregulation push threatened to bring the nation of 46 million to a standstill as banks, businesses and state agencies also closed in protest. Thursday’s action marked the second nationwide union strike since Milei came to power last December, slashing spending, laying off government workers, and freezing all public works projects in a bid to rescue Argentina from its worst financial crisis in two decades.

British economy rebounds in first quarter of the year (AP) The British economy bounced back strongly in the first three months of the year, bringing to an end to what economists termed a “technical recession”, official figures showed Friday. The Office for National Statistics said the economy grew by 0.6% in the first quarter from the previous three-month period. It comes after two quarters of modest declines, which in the U.K. is defined as a recession. Despite the quarterly increase, the British economy has barely grown over the past year. It has been hobbled by interest rates at 16-year highs of 5.25%.

What Happens When a Happening Place Becomes Too Hot (NYT) Packed bars with carousing revelers spilling onto clogged streets. Takeaway booze swigged by drunken tourists and students. Earsplitting volumes in once quiet residential neighborhoods long after midnight. When Milan’s authorities embarked years ago on plans to promote the city as a buzzy destination by building on its reputation as Italy’s hip fashion and design capital, the resulting noise and rowdy overcrowding were perhaps not quite what they had in mind. Now, after years of complaints and a series of lawsuits, the city has passed an ordinance to strictly limit the sale of takeaway food and beverages after midnight—and not much later on weekends—in “movida” areas, a Spanish term that Italians have adopted to describe outdoor nightlife. It will go into effect next week and be in force until Nov. 11. Outdoor seating for restaurants and bars will also end at 12:30 a.m. on weekdays, and an hour later on weekends, so that people who want to party longer will have to do so indoors.

Ukraine orders electricity rationing after Russian airstrikes (Washington Post) On Wednesday, Ukrainian authorities said the country would begin electricity-rationing measures in response to a series of Russian airstrikes that hit Ukrainian power infrastructure. State energy provider Ukrenergo said that brownouts “are possible throughout Ukraine” overnight due to a “shortage of electricity in the power system.” “Restrictions will be evenly distributed across all regions,” said the power provider. According to DTEK, Ukraine’s biggest private energy company, the shelling marked “the fifth massive shelling of the company’s energy facilities in the last one and a half months.”

Civilian casualties rise in Myanmar’s civil war as resistance forces tighten noose around military (AP) Six months into an offensive against Myanmar ‘s military government, opposition forces have made massive gains, but civilian casualties are rising sharply as regime troops increasingly turn toward scorched-earth tactics in the Southeast Asian country’s bitter civil war. There is pressure on all fronts from powerful militias drawn from Myanmar’s ethnic minority groups and newer resistance forces. Troops are retaliating with air, naval and artillery strikes on hospitals and other facilities where the opposition could be sheltered or aided. “When the mass of people rise up against them, I think it terrifies them,” said Dave Eubank, a former U.S. Special Forces soldier who founded the Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian aid organization that has provided assistance to both combatants and civilians in Myanmar since the 1990s. “They know that hospitals, churches, schools and monasteries are important places for human care, and gathering, and symbols—and they hammer them,” said Eubank. “That’s new.” Thet Swe, a spokesman for the military government, denied that troops were targeting buildings and areas where civilians were sheltering, blaming their destruction instead on the opposition forces, without citing evidence.

U.N. General Assembly Adopts Resolution Supporting Palestinian Statehood (NYT/WSJ) The United Nations General Assembly on Friday overwhelmingly adopted a resolution declaring that Palestinians qualify for full-member status at the United Nations, a highly symbolic move that reflects growing global solidarity with Palestinians and is a rebuke to Israel and the United States. The resolution was approved by a vote of 143 to 9 with 25 nations abstaining. The Assembly broke into a big applause after the vote. The United States voted no, saying that recognition of Palestinian statehood should be achieved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. Anger and frustration at the United States has been brewing for months among many senior U.N. officials and diplomats, including allies such as France, because Washington has repeatedly blocked cease-fire resolutions at the Security Council and has staunchly supported Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, even as humanitarian suffering has mounted.       Israel stated that the resolution’s passage “will not change anything on the ground” in Gaza. On Friday, Israeli forces captured the main road dividing eastern and western Rafah, effectively encircling the eastern part of the city. The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees estimates that nearly 110,000 people have fled Rafah since Monday, many of them escaping to Khan Younis, only to face another city that has been devastated by war and is still coming under Israeli bombardment. On Thursday and overnight Friday, the Israeli military carried out deadly airstrikes in Khan Younis as well as in the northern areas of Gaza City and the Jabalya camp.

Netanyahu on US threat to withhold arms: Israel will fight with its ‘fingernails’ if needed (AP) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that a U.S. threat to withhold some arms would not prevent Israel from continuing its offensive in Gaza, indicating it might proceed with an invasion of the packed city of Rafah against the wishes of its closest ally. President Joe Biden has urged Israel not to go ahead with such an operation over fears it would exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian enclave. On Wednesday, he said the United States would not provide offensive weapons for a Rafah offensive, raising pressure on Netanyahu. But in a statement released Thursday, Netanyahu said “if we have to stand alone, we will stand alone. If we need to, we will fight with our fingernails. But we have much more than fingernails.” Israel’s top military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, also appeared to downplay the practical impact of any arms holdup. “The army has munitions for the missions it plans, and for the missions in Rafah, too—we have what we need,” he said in response to a question at a news conference.

Another enemy of Israel: Debt (Bloomberg) Though in a stare-down with its biggest ally and arms supplier over the looming invasion of Rafah, Israel has another problem when it comes to the ongoing war with Hamas: debt. Israel has racked up a $16 billion bill after seven months of war, leaving its budget deficit on a path to calamity absent government action. As the war’s financial toll grows, Israel is on track to run one of its widest budget deficits this century. Expenditure surged almost 36% in the first four months of 2024 from the same period a year earlier, of which roughly two-thirds went toward defense outlays.

Brain complexity (nature.com, lichtmanlabs.fas.harvard.edu) Researchers have mapped a tiny piece of the human brain in astonishing detail. The resulting cell atlas, which was described today in Science and is available online, reveals new patterns of connections between brain cells called neurons. The 3D map covers a volume of about one cubic millimeter, one-millionth of a whole brain, and contains roughly 57,000 cells and 150 million synapses—the connections between neurons. It incorporates a colossal 1.4 petabytes of data. “It’s a little bit humbling,” says Viren Jain, a neuroscientist at Google in Mountain View, California, and a co-author of the paper. “How are we ever going to really come to terms with all this complexity?” Jain’s team built artificial-intelligence models that were able to stitch the microscope images together to reconstruct the whole sample in 3D. “I remember this moment, going into the map and looking at one individual synapse from this woman’s brain, and then zooming out into these other millions of pixels,” says Jain. “It felt sort of spiritual.”

[bellacontracting]

The Economic Impact Of Demolition In New Jersey Communities

Demolition is a double-edged sword, and it brings to communities both a host of potential benefits and potential problems. 

  New Jersey has a large construction industry; construction makes up over 15% of our State’s GDP. Demolition is a keystone of the construction industry—and to halt urban sprawl, buildings must be demolished (either partially or fully).

  In this article, we’ll explore both sides of demolition—how our communities are adversely affected by it and how they benefit from it. From there, we’ll look at ways we can rethink New Jersey’s demolition industry so that we can all reap greater benefits from it. 

The Disadvantages of Demolition

The Direct Costs of Demolition

First, we must consider the literal costs of demolition. Contractors have to be paid, the old building materials need to be disposed of, and time and money must be spent to obtain permits.

  Ideally, some of these costs (especially permitting costs) are recouped by communities through city services. When not-for-profits and businesses that are the staples of communities must shoulder these costs, however, it can act both as a disincentive to demolish old buildings and as a burden that prevents pillars of the communities from building back better.

Disruptions to the Community

Then, there are the various indirect costs to the community. The first of these: Disruptions. Community pillars can’t operate when their place of business is being demolished; they may provide services at another location, but these services are often scaled down.

  Demolition services can also block roads and disrupt utilities like water and sewage. This is particularly problematic in densely populated communities. New Jersey is the most densely populated State (With Guttenberg and Union City being the most densely populated cities in the United States). This means disruptions caused by demolition have a disproportionate impact on people living in New Jersey—the denser the population, the more people are impacted by the disturbances. 

  Lower Property Values

Demolition can also drastically lower property values. Few people want to move next to an abandoned lot, and areas in which demolitions are frequent are plagued by noise and dust pollution. Low-income communities may be particularly affected by this, as derelict buildings (which couldn’t be demolished due to the high cost of demolition) are torn down but not replaced. 

Environmental Impacts

The environmental impacts of demolition can’t be understated, either. Demolition can contaminate both air quality and waterways. Again, these environmental costs tend to be borne by low-income communities, especially when those communities are placed next to landfills to which construction and demolition waste are diverted. 

The Advantages of Demolition

The downsides to demolition in New Jersey are, of course, only half the story. With demolition comes construction, and with construction comes a myriad of benefits:

Job Creation

Demolition creates jobs directly—you need someone to demolish the building, after all. A number of workers are required for any demolition project. Workers are also needed to transport equipment and materials, to check for and remove hazardous materials like asbestos, and more.

  Once the demolition is complete, there are even more opportunities for job creation—ideally, something will be constructed on the newly vacant land. 

Business Opportunities

When community pillars demolish old buildings, they can build back better. These new buildings might offer better or larger facilities, more modern insulation and electrical, renewable energy, or other features.

  Remember—not all demolitions are complete demolitions (sometimes called razes). Demolition is an important part of most renovations, and you can often demolish parts of a building while still retaining features of historical importance, like facades. 

Increased Property Values

Derelict buildings decrease property values. While demolishing buildings can lower property values, they go up again once new properties are built—if everything goes well, their post-construction value will be even higher than their pre-demolition value. 

  Rethinking Demolition in New Jersey

New Jersey’s Environmental Justice Law

The State of New Jersey is taking environmental justice seriously with a new law to protect low-income communities and communities of color from environmental impacts. 

  Construction and demolition companies can play an important role in mitigating environmental harm. By using strategies to reduce environmental pollution, divert waste from landfills, and reuse old materials, contractors can help restore justice to communities throughout New Jersey. 

Green Demolition

Green demolition is a term that encompasses a variety of techniques used to mitigate the environmental impact of demolition. These techniques include:

  Diverting materials from landfills

Using dust control to stop air pollution

Preventing chemicals from running into nearby water sources

Deconstructing elements of the building for reuse

And more

  By using these techniques, demolition contractors can drastically reduce the impact of demolition on communities in New Jersey.

Deconstruction

Explosives, heavy machinery, and other tools are often used in demolition. This can lead to excessive waste and run-off; much of this waste becomes impossible to reuse. In deconstruction, buildings and their elements are taken apart piece by piece; they can easily be recycled or reused.

Conclusion

Demolition brings both positive and negative impacts to New Jersey communities, but by employing green construction techniques, contractors can mitigate the negatives and highlight the positives. For commercial demolition in NJ, call Bella. 

from Bella Contracting Services https://ift.tt/byMquHZ

[qudachuk]

Unsafe buildings could still be putting staff at risk of cancer through contact with the material, warn unions, experts and MPsFresh concerns have been raised about the amount of asbestos remaining in dilapidated schools and hospitals, after new analysis...

[workingclasshistory]

On this day, 13 January 1948, miners in Cyprus employed by the US-owned Cyprus Mining Company (CMC) walked out on strike against inhuman and extremely dangerous conditions. The workers demanded a pay increase, overtime pay on Sundays, recognition of a labour disputes committee, repairs to workers' homes and the rehiring of fired workers. Around 4300 miners, asbestos workers and construction workers, both Greek and Turkish, walked out together, with the support of most of the local working class. But the British colonial government, the church, and the Synomospondia Ergazomenon Kyprou (SEK) union federation were united against the strike. The government sent police against the strikers, while the church denounced "communist anarchy", and the SEK attempted to recruit replacement scab workers, claiming: "Better 12 hours of blue, than 8 hours of red" (i.e. "better to work 12 hours a day in a right-wing place than 8 hours a day in a left-wing one"). On March 3, police opened fire on striking miners at the Mavrovouni mine, injuring many. The Democrat newspaper reported: "Here in this place, from which our underground wealth comes from and flows into foreign and ungrateful pockets, the blood of hungry striking miners has been shed here... by the hands of the police. This blood will be an indelible stain on the history of the foreign company and colonial government." In protest at the shootings, a national strike took place on March 6, and workers took to the streets with placards written in Greek and Turkish saying things like: "Bread not bullets" and "Double your contributions to the strikers", encouraging more donations of money and supplies to the workers. Eventually, the workers were victorious, and ended with: more collective agreements being established or strengthened, pay increases, reduced hours, paid overtime, paid holidays, safety improvements, better healthcare and a new system for adjusting pay in line with the cost of living. https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/2185601618291643/?type=3

[unionizedwizard]

management lady just said "we do not forward every correspondence we get from the [local equivalent of OSHA] to you [worker & union representatives in charge of OSHA-related matters] because not every letter bears the mention that we must inform you of their contents :)" maam your factory floors are dusty with asbestos and the entire building is falling apart (and bursting at the seams with asbestos. except in YOUR part of the building. hmmm?) and there are explosive batteries setting entire buildings on fire and screw-guns are coming loose and threatening to slice people's hands off and the laboratory is pioneering new and exciting ways to give cancer to everyone who even breathes in a 20 mile radius . do you maybe think it would be, shall we say, judicious to maybe possibly potentially tell the Work Safety Committee about this

mmye beautiful car factory that kills you in 10000000 different ways every day

[osha-employee-one]

Hi! This roleplay is freaking me out. I didn’t come to tumblr and sign up for the OSHAverse but here we are! Opinion on ripped jeans in worksites?

Mx Anon,

Ripped jeans, shorts, or any kind of pants with any kind of opening that does not contribute to the functionality of the garment is usually prohibited on most construction sites and/or lab settings.

This is due to the concern of dangerous materials (i.e. Chemicals, asbestos, tar, lead, asphalt, etc.) landing on skin and causing serious burns or reactions that would harm the worker and require medical attention. (Though of course this is a summary of said regulations.)

Of course, it depends what environment you are working in— If your boss okays these garments for your project, please check OSHA's regulations on what materials you are working with and what you should wear when working with these materials! Your boss is NOT always correct, which is why OSHA was founded in the first place!

In the case your employer does not enforce a safer dress code after bringing the potential violation to their attention, well... Report it to your local union or HR department, of course!

Sincerely,

Employee One

[luidilovins]

Old And Broken: Horror films taking place in insane asylums. Usually overplayed and inaccurate depictions given the time frame the stories are based in. Overdone concept its been done to death. Leans heavily on ableist undertones when it literally can not do that.

Newly Awoken: Horror films taking place in abandoned steel mills or meat factories from the 1930s. Sharp and rusty. People died from exhaustion and were dismembered on the regular. Worker ghosts ready to get unhinged from the social injustice at the drop of a hat. Heaps of rat shit and asbestos on all the food. Reminds the audience how America prior unionization was straight up not a good time.

[obscureoldguy]

HOW YOU CAN HELP DOCTORS IN MARYLAND

Dear Friends,

A lot of crazy ideas come out of the woodwork in a pandemic. But this one isn’t crazy. It comes from Johns Hopkins Hospital. And it actually works.

We have all been watching as the COVID pandemic out-strips our ability to produce enough equipment to protect our doctors and nurses. But it could be that the Personal Protective Equipment our healthcare workers need is all around us — we just have to round it up and get it to our hospitals.

According to an urgent “wanted letter” co-signed by Dr. Lisa Maragakis, Hopkins Senior Director of Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Prevention and Bob Maloney, Hopkins Director of Emergency Management, “considering the anticipated surge, more healthcare providers will need personal respiratory protection and fast. In particular, we will need additional Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR’s)... We believe there are additional PAPR’s... purchased by non-healthcare entities that could also be utilized by healthcare workers...”

What kind of non-healthcare entities? Asbestos removal companies. Lead-abatement companies. Industrial painters. Insulators. And other environmental remediation trades.

Wow. So, it turns out the same Powered Air Powered Respirators used by asbestos removal companies — and other companies that do environmental remediation — can be repurposed in this pandemic to protect doctors and nurses. All of us have seen workers in these suits in the past — on construction sites, or painting bridges, or installing insulation. And while the industrial-use suits are heavier than those designed for nurses and doctors, the Air Purifying Respirators are essentially the same as the ones used by doctors. All of which means they can be used, according to Hopkins, “on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19.” (See picture of 3M model TR-300 below)

According to Hopkins Director of Emergency Management, Bob Maloney, “200 of these PAPR suits could be a game changer for us in this fight. We have to protect our workforce of doctors and nurses so they can protect all of us.”

Already Hopkins has collected 91 of these PAPR suits. 10 of these were donated just today by the International Painters Union training facility in Lanham, Maryland. But we are in a race against time. So spread the word to people you know who work in these industries, or to unions or training programs that work in these fields. For donations of Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR’s) call: Hopkins Supply Chain Manager, George Lavdas, at (443)766-0758 or email George at

glavdas1@jhmi.edu

Again, spread the word. There is not a moment to spare.

We are all in this together.

—-Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley 

To provide resources, please contact George Lavdas our Senior Director for Supply Chain Transformation by email at:

glavdas1@jhmi.edu

. Or by cell at:1 (443) 766-0758.

[worklabournewsresearch]

Essential but Expendable: How Canada Failed Migrant Farm Workers

The Globe and Mail: an Investigative Report

“In Ontario alone, more than 600 foreign farm workers have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a Globe and Mail count; health officials have stressed that, for the most part, the workers came to Canada healthy and contracted the virus locally. British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec have also recorded outbreaks among migrant agri-food workers.”

“The situation is most dire in Southwestern Ontario, home to the continent’s highest concentration of greenhouses. Ontario’s largest outbreak is at Scotlynn Group, where at least 167 of 216 migrant workers have tested positive. Mexico has become so concerned by the outbreaks that Ambassador Juan Jose Gomez Camacho told The Globe that his country has “put a pause” on sending more workers – 5,000 more are still due to make the trip – until Canadian officials ramp up monitoring of health and safety rules, and ensure workers are paid while in isolation.”

The Globe and Mail, June 16, 2020: “Essential but expendable: How Canada failed migrant farm workers,” by Kathryn Blaze Baum and Tavia Grant

The Globe and Mail, June 16, 2020: “Not enough done to protect migrant farm workers: PM,” by Kathryn Blaze Baum and Tavia Grant   

CTV News, June 15, 2020: “Mexico hits pause on sending temporary foreign workers after COVID-19 deaths,” by Stephanie Levitz

work&labour news&research, June 9, 2020: “COVID-19 and Migrant Workers”  

Inside Ontario’s migrant-worker health crisis

“The disease is spreading rapidly among migrant farm workers for several reasons, advocates say. The main one is that they live in very close quarters. Workers sleep in bunk beds — four, eight, or even 20 to a room. They might share three stoves, eight sinks, and one television between 60 people. During the pandemic, some farms have drastically cut back bunkhouse occupancy and introduced strict physical distancing, cleaning, and symptom-reporting protocols, but others haven’t. There are few standards. ... [H]ousing for migrant farm workers falls outside both the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Ontario’s Tenancy Act. ... While migrant farm workers have country-based ‘liaison’ officers who are tasked with defending their safety and rights, he says, these officers want to make sure their nationals aren’t seen as overly demanding, because that could jeopardize their country’s overall participation in the program — and all the remittances that go with it.”

“[C]losed work permits mean that workers are ‘tied’ to one employer. If the situation doesn’t work out, they can’t simply get hired on another farm; instead, they’re often sent home. And, for many of the workers, all of whom are from the Caribbean and Mexico, that means losing the only opportunity they have to put their children through school. And, as a result of the looming threat of deportation, migrant workers often don’t seek health care until situations are dire: they work through symptoms and don’t report unsafe working conditions.”

TVO, June 16, 2020: “Fear, neglect, and close quarters: Inside Ontario’s migrant-worker health crisis,” by Wendy Glauser

Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW)

“The first union-sponsored Occupational Health Clinic in North America was started by the United Steelworkers of America, Local 1005 in Hamilton in 1981 in conjunction with activist doctors from McMaster’s Occupational Health Program. And building on its success, the Ontario Federation of Labour secured an agreement with the Ministry of Labour in 1988 to fund a pilot project—leading to the creation of OHCOW’s first clinics (in Hamilton and Toronto) in 1989. In Windsor in the mid-1980’s, a mesothelioma widow, (Lucie Dunn), initiated meetings to build support for the victims of asbestos-related diseases. “

The History of OHCOW

OHCOW: Migrant Farm Worker Program

Meanwhile, in B.C., Quebec and Manitoba ...

CBC News, June 12, 2020: “Manitoba could take lead from B.C. on migrant worker rights, advocates say, but federal action needed,” by Aidan Geary

CBC News, June 15, 2020: “For Quebec's migrant farm workers, need to earn a living trumps fears over COVID-19,” by Julia Page

B.C. Catholic, June 16, 2020: “Migrant ministry using virtual tech to reach isolated farm workers,” by Chandra Philip