Risks on the job: the worker's right to know

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Environment; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.1981.9928756· OSTI ID:5775701

Melville, M

The third in a series exploring the differences in protection from hazards given to workers and to the general public, this article asks whether workers are, in fact, informed about, able, and willing to undertake risks and explores the question of what constitutes adequate knowledge about workplace hazards. The right to know continues to be controversial, with Connecticut passing the first law in 1980 requiring employers to inform workers about risks. The three hazardous industries of nuclear power, lead smelting and refining, and lead-acid battery manufacture, and the manufacture and formulation of pesticides are singled out for an examination of how and when workers are informed. Two essential ingredients of an adequate educational and training program are the attitude of management and the allocation of sufficient resources to implement the commitment to inform employees. A comparison among the industries indicates that carefully developed and specific regulations implemented in an atmosphere of shared responsibility are the most effective approach, but present politically-motivated deregulation efforts could introduce new risks. 38 references, 2 figures, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: Clark Univ., CENTED, Worcester, MA
• OSTI ID: 5775701
• Journal Information: Environment; (United States), Journal Name: Environment; (United States) Vol. 23:9; 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
EDUCATION
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INFORMATION
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
REGULATIONS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY
WORKING CONDITIONS