Worker safety

Pandemic showed flaws in Oregon’s workers comp

Privately-insured and self-insured employers are rejecting worker comp claims at a greater rate than the state-chartered non-profit SAIF.

KILLED ON THE JOB IN OREGON IN 2021

Last year more than 69 Oregonians died from injuries sustained while working, not including the 169 who died after workplace COVID outbreaks.

Top on-the-job killers

Transportation-related accidents are the lead cause of workplace death— more fatalities than falls, violence and harmful substances combined.

America’s most dangerous jobs

Most on-the-job deaths occur in the trucking industry, but a handful of workplaces have a higher fatality rate.

Oregon OSHA takes action on heat and smoke

Oregon's proposed rules protecting workers exposed to extreme heat and wildfire smoke could be the strongest in the country.

Unsafe streets: Deteriorating public safety is impacting workers on the job

Attacks on parks workers. Assaults on bus drivers. Safety concerns are driving some employees to leave their jobs altogether.

Unions contend with vaccine mandates

Unions are encouraging members to get vaccinated, but are also trying to protect the rights and jobs of workers who haven’t been vaccinated.

Construction industry confronts suicide in the ranks

Construction workers commit suicide at three times the national average. More die by suicide than job site injuries or accidents.

Oregon OSHA issues emergency heat rule

JUSTICE FOR SEBASTIAN FRANCISCO PEREZ: A vigil at the United Farm Workers office in Hermiston was one of three held around Oregon July 3 to call for heat protections after a St. Paul nursery worker died June 26 of heat exposure.

COVID close call

IBEW rep Scott Zadow, hospitalized with the virus, says COVID is no joke. This month local labor is partnering PBGC to host vaccine clinics.

40 hours a week is a good rule. Overwork can kill you.

Limiting the work week to 40 hours isn’t just labor’s most important historic win. It also prevents an early death for working people.

Death on the Job: The toll of neglect

For 30 years the national AFL-CIO has been reporting on workplace safety and fatalities on the job. Progress has stalled.

Workers Memorial Day 2021

Workers Memorial Day, April 28, is a day to honor workers who have died on the job, and recommit to fight for a safe work environment.

A regulator with a life-and-death mission: Keeping workers safe

For over 15 years, Michael Wood has been at the helm of Oregon OSHA. The Labor Press caught up with him by Zoom April 8.

Providence nurses demand COVID safety

Nearly 100 union nurses from multiple Providence facilities were joined by Oregon AFL-CIO President Graham Trainor and Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran at a...

Teachers union blasts Governor Brown for reversal on school reopening

Oregon took months to develop guidelines for safe reopening. Now they won’t be enforced, Governor Kate Brown announced.

Oregon OSHA’s COVID rule is now in force

Oregon OSHA now says employers must protect workers from COVID-19 in all workplaces. Letting them know about it will be the next challenge.

Oregon OSHA says employers must protect workers from COVID-19

Not a moment too soon, Oregon OSHA's COVID-19 rule arrives as outbreaks are under way at 76 Oregon workplaces.

UFCW forms PAC to push for COVID-19 workers comp

Local 555 has put $190,100 into a new political action committee that's educating union members about their rights and running online ads.

Mohlis elected chair of SAIF board

The retired leader of the Oregon State Building Trades Council will oversee Oregon’s not-for-profit workers compensation insurance company.

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