Putting Health & Safety in Workplace First

Description | Indicators | Scoring Criteria | Definitions | Issues

PROBLEM
Workers are often required to perform their jobs under circumstances or in conditions that pose a direct threat to their short- or long-term health, safety, and well-being. Approximately 6,000 workers die from acute on-the-job injuries every year in the United States. Another 60,000 workers are estimated to die each year in the United States from cancer, lung disease and other chronic illnesses from work-related exposures to hazardous chemicals. Chemicals and materials in the final product often are present in the workplace at elevated concentrations that pose acute or chronic health threats to exposed workers. Workers also face physical danger through the operation of dangerous equipment, use of chemicals that pose a physical threat such as fire or explosion, or by working in an inherently unsafe environment such as working at elevation or underground. Companies have a legal obligation to fully notify workers about such risks and to comply with all regulations protecting worker health and safety. Every employer is obligated to provide a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his/her employees.

GOAL
Protect the safety, health, and well-being of the workers who produce the products.

IDEAL
There is no component of the product that is manufactured in a manner or setting that poses a serious acute or chronic health or safety threat to workers through unsafe work places, equipment or hazardous chemicals in the occupational setting. Manufacturer is free from citations, regularly audits its facilities, trains and engages workers in accident prevention and hazard reduction, is transparent in its record keeping and requires similar standards/programs and public accessibility from its supply chain. This category works in complement with the “IAQ & User Exposure” and “High Hazard Toxics” categories to fully describe the health impact of the material/product.

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