Ensuring worker safety and health in the workplace just got easier

Storytelling and Communications Strategist Melissa Moriarty of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about NCOSH, their Dirty Dozen list and new protections for immigrant workers.

Moriarty explained that NCOSH is a federation of 26 grassroots worker groups and the home of the workers' health and safety movement in the U.S. The council offers many support programs, such as WE RISE, a program dedicated to help people of color become leaders in the workplace through training, mentoring and a source for advocacy. Another NCOSH program is Empowering Immigrant Workers, which ensures immigrant workers have the tools and resources to assert their voice, power and influence in the workplace and policy arenas.

She also discussed a memorandum signed by Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh that gave OSHA the authority to grant Visa certifications for undocumented workers under certain circumstances, which would help law enforcement prosecute crimes. Previously, if these undocumented workers reported their employer for violations, the employee was deported. This led to the employer not being charged, as the witness was no longer able to testify. Now, victims can assist in cases without fear of being deported. 

Moriarty then gave an overview of the Dirty Dozen, a yearly list of the 12 worst employers, which will be released before Workers’ Memorial Day. Consistently poor employers such as Amazon are expected to appear on the list. If they do make the list, it would be the e-commerce giant’s fourth appearance on the Dirty Dozen. However, Moriarty warned the list is not just for annual offenders, as she alluded to a surprising number of first-timers cracking this year's list.

Listen to the entire episode to learn more.