After the Disasters, Let's Not Hurt the Cleanup and Reconstruction Workers
I 'm sure that many of the large contractors moving in to do clean up work after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will have good safety programs and properly protect their employees. But many of the smaller contractors may not. We know temporary construction labor agencies are recruiting in the Gulf Coast region with advertisements for basically warm bodies with little or no construction experience or training. What will conditions be like for people doing home clean ups and renovations? How many injuries and illnesses will these workers suffer?
As director of occupational safety and health for the laborers' union Health and Safety Fund of North America, I want to ensure their safety. And there is cause for concern.