All articles tagged with #workplace safety
Legionella bacteria were detected in the Reynolds Building in Lodi, where the Department of Industrial Relations operates, prompting water-system flushing and other corrective actions as SEIU Local 1000 warns of unsafe conditions amid Gov. Gavin Newsom’s four‑day-a-week return-to-office mandate; the state says it is addressing the issue and monitoring other buildings, with reports of bedbugs and other pests also raised by unions.
A deadly fire at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang, Fujian province killed at least 28 people after 237 workers and two visitors were inside; 213 were evacuated, with two later pronounced dead and 26 more missing before confirmation, bringing the death toll to 28. More than 180 firefighters fought the blaze, which began on the ground floor and spread rapidly, possibly aided by highly flammable shoe materials. President Xi Jinping urged accountability and a thorough investigation, and officials vowed an all-out effort to extinguish the fire and search for survivors.
A fire at a Fujian province shoe factory in Jinjiang killed at least 28 people, with 213 evacuated from 239 on site; President Xi Jinping ordered a full investigation and accountability for those responsible as authorities tighten attention on workplace safety in China.
Brooke Shields is backing about 80 Casa Bonita performers who unionized with Actors’ Equity to demand higher pay and stronger safety protections amid allegations of hypothermia, chlorine toxicity, sexual harassment, and security gaps. Performers earn $21–$26/hour, less than servers who recently received raises, while management has offered only a small wage increase and has not commented on ongoing negotiations. Actors’ Equity has filed multiple NLRB complaints alleging retaliation and failure to bargain, and Parker and Stone have largely remained silent as their Denver venue faces ongoing labor disputes.
Walmart updated its cart-loading rules for online-order fulfillment, limiting each cart to six blue bins (down from eight) and specifying pushing when visibility is clear and pulling when visibility is limited, reversing a previous push-only directive. The change aims to boost safety amid lawsuits and rising e-commerce volumes while keeping order fulfillment efficient.
A deadly blast at the Huasheng fireworks plant in Liuyang, Hunan Province, killed 26 and injured 61 as rescue workers searched for more victims and evacuated nearby areas due to risk of further explosions. President Xi Jinping ordered a thorough investigation and urged accountability, with Premier Li Qiang calling for a broad review of workplace safety; authorities deployed 482 emergency personnel and indicated the incident may lead to changes in safety measures in China’s prominent fireworks sector.
A 24-year-old Tokyo Dome City Attractions worker, Kamimura Hina, died after being trapped for about five hours inside the Flying Balloon ride’s gondola during routine maintenance; the park suspended operations and is conducting a full investigation with authorities.
Pope Leo XIV urged Italian employment consultants to stay close to families and workers in need, emphasizing the importance of promoting safety and human dignity in the workplace, especially amid technological advances, and to mediate effectively between employees and employers.
Doctors in California are petitioning to ban engineered stone countertops containing high levels of crystalline silica due to their link to silicosis, a deadly lung disease, following Australia's lead in banning similar materials. Despite existing regulations, enforcement is weak, and many workers remain at risk, with some developing severe health issues or dying. Industry groups oppose a ban, favoring certification and better enforcement instead, but medical experts argue that a ban is necessary to prevent further tragedies.
McDonald's in the UK is implementing new sexual harassment training for managers and external reviews to address ongoing allegations of abuse and create a safer workplace environment, following increased scrutiny and reports from staff.
Eva Air apologized after requesting paperwork from a deceased flight attendant, Ms Sun, sparking outrage and investigations into her treatment and working conditions, amid concerns over overwork and workplace safety.
EVA Air is under scrutiny after a veteran flight attendant, who fell ill during a flight from Milan and died in Taiwan, was allegedly pressured to work and then improperly handled posthumously, raising serious concerns about employee treatment, workplace safety, and airline management practices.
A new report by WHO and WMO warns that rising global temperatures are increasing heat stress risks for workers worldwide, affecting health and productivity, and calls for better protections, policies, and climate action to prevent severe health outcomes and economic impacts.
The WHO and WMO warn that increasing extreme heat due to climate change poses serious health and productivity risks for workers, urging governments, employers, and communities to implement adaptation measures such as adjusting work hours, improving building infrastructure, and protecting vulnerable populations, despite the financial challenges involved.
The U.S. Department of Labor plans to overhaul over 60 workplace regulations to reduce burdensome rules, aiming to promote growth and deregulation, but critics warn these changes could increase risks for workers, especially in sectors like home health care, agriculture, construction, and mining.