Worker/public protection: the double standard

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Environment; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.1981.9928741· OSTI ID:5775676

Derr, P; Goble, R; Kasperson, R E; Kates, R W

The first in a series that will explore the differences in protection from hazards provided to workers and the general public, this article explores the extent of this differential exposure to the hazards of technology, its institutionalization in government standards in the US and abroad, its health implications, and the justifications offered to support its practice. Several preliminary conclusions emerge from this initial analysis: (1) there is a double standard of protection in a significant portion of all technologies extant across a wide variety of economic, political, and ideological systems; (2) the significant, if poorly understood, health toll and questions of social and economic justice make differential protection a problem; and (3) justifications on the basis of utility, ability, consent, and compensation all support the double standard. 25 references, 5 tables.

• Research Organization: Clark Univ., CENTED, Worcester, MA
• OSTI ID: 5775676
• Journal Information: Environment; (United States), Journal Name: Environment; (United States) Vol. 23:7; ISSN ENVTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
570000 -- Health & Safety
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
PUBLIC HEALTH
SAFETY
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
WORKING CONDITIONS