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Trump stands behind Hegseth after attack plans shared in second Signal chat; Pollution exemptions granted to AR coal plants; Coping with OR's climate change-fueled pollen season; Federal funding cuts could hit MT harder than other states.

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Defense Secretary Hegseth faces calls to resign for discussing battle plans in a second Signal chat. Indiana denies students the use of college IDs to register to vote, and the White House signals the U.S. might stop trying to end the Russia-Ukraine War.

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Money meant for schools in timber country is uncertain as Congress fails to reauthorize a rural program, farmers and others will see federal dollars for energy projects unlocked, and DOGE cuts threaten plant species needed for U.S. food security.

Worker Fatalities Rise Amid OHSA Funding Cuts

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Friday, May 5, 2023   

Eighteen West Virginians never returned home from their work shift last year, and advocates for workers' rights say oversight rollbacks and funding cuts are letting too many companies off the hook for workplace safety violations.

According to the AFL-CIO, since 2019, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration -- the agency tasked with enforcing federal workplace safety laws -- began reducing inspections involving significant cases and health hazards.

Josh Sword, president of the West Virginia AFL-CIO, said mining accidents, explosions, fires and construction collapses continue to pose serious risks for workers.

"Coal miners, loggers, first responders, corrections workers, delivery personnel, and others that, for some reason, lost their life on the job last year," Sword outlined. "It varies as to what happened to these 18 individuals."

Research shows rural workers are also at higher risk for work-related injuries due to the types of industries located in such regions, and the fact they frequently face barriers accessing health care.

Sword pointed to recent legislation like House Bill 3270, which would cap the amount of money employees can receive in lawsuits involving workplace injuries. He argued it would be as a step backward, and noted state lawmakers have continued to push for looser safety regulations.

"Speaking specifically about here in West Virginia, it wasn't that long ago that the Legislature made their top priority to roll back some coal mine safety standards that had been established after a catastrophe in which coal miners lost their lives," Sword pointed out.

References:  
Report AFL-CIO 04/25/2023

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