Michigan To Become a Right to Work state!

[flyboy56]

Yes - I contacted OSHA. There was nothing they could do because it was state property.

The irony is that the state gov't issues citations to private businesses - but refuses to correct worse problems on state property.

I take it MD at the time did not have an OSHA-approved state program?

Most employees in the nation come under OSHA's jurisdiction. OSHA covers private sector employers and employees in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and other U.S. jurisdictions either directly through Federal OSHA or through an OSHA-approved state program. Employees who work for state and local governments are not covered by federal OSHA, but have OSH Act protections if they work in those states that have an OSHA-approved state program. Four additional states and one U.S. territory have OSHA approved plans that cover public sector employees only. State-run health and safety programs must be at least as effective as the Federal OSHA program. To find the contact information for the OSHA Federal or State Program office nearest you, see the Regional and Area Offices map.

[OldBay]

I take it MD at the time did not have an OSHA-approved state program?

Most employees in the nation come under OSHA's jurisdiction. OSHA covers private sector employers and employees in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and other U.S. jurisdictions either directly through Federal OSHA or through an OSHA-approved state program. Employees who work for state and local governments are not covered by federal OSHA, but have OSH Act protections if they work in those states that have an OSHA-approved state program. Four additional states and one U.S. territory have OSHA approved plans that cover public sector employees only. State-run health and safety programs must be at least as effective as the Federal OSHA program. To find the contact information for the OSHA Federal or State Program office nearest you, see the Regional and Area Offices map.

Correct. This was quite a few years ago. MOSH would apply today - but it is reluctant and slow to respond to problems on state property. The LMC is the most practical way to get prompt action.

[songfourone]

So you are telling me that you and your co-workers were just a bunch of clueless victims, with absolutely no power or a desire to stand up and make your voice heard?

Yes because standing up to administration always works out so well for the employee.

[flyboy56]

I remember dissecting frogs soaked in formaldehyde when I was in 7th grade biology class. It was right before lunch. Still makes me gag when I think of the smell.

[flyboy56]

Correct. This was quite a few years ago. MOSH would apply today - but it is reluctant and slow to respond to problems on state property. The LMC is the most practical way to get prompt action.

Sounds like you did the best you could with what you had to work with, and got the job done safely. I can understand your strong favorable opinions of unions.

[OldBay]

I remember dissecting frogs soaked in formaldehyde when I was in 7th grade biology class. It was right before lunch. Still makes me gag when I think of the smell.

Same stuff. Those frogs were probably soaked in water to dilute the formaldehyde somewhat but it is powerful stuff. I was a teaching assistant in grad school and I would soak those preserved specimens (fetal pigs, lampreys, frogs, etc) in water so they wouldn't be as difficult for the students.

We worked with drums of the stuff in concentrated form (a saturated solution of formaldehyde in water is known as formalin). Its about the cheapest way to kill fungi. We often did double shifts in that place as we were always short-handed.

Sometimes, its amazing to look back and see what we put ourselves through to provide for our families.

[OldBay]

Yes because standing up to administration always works out so well for the employee.

For that reason, its best to have a complainant who is eligible for retirement.

[flyboy56]

For that reason, its best to have a complainant who is eligible for retirement.

Employers hate employees who don't need the damn job. Someone whose just looking for something to do.