Cancer is a well-established workplace hazard for firefighters with 49 of 50 states deeming certain cancers presumptively work-related when determining eligibility under their workers’ compensation or disability laws. Federal firefighters however currently do not receive a presumption of causation for any occupational diseases. That inequity between state/local firefighters and their federal brethren was finally addressed in a section of the National Defence Authorization signed into law on 23 December 2022. The 4,408 page bill provides federal firefighters, employed for at least 5 years in the occupation, who contracted one of 14 listed cancers, COPD, or suffered a sudden cardiac event or stroke while, or not later than 24 hours after engaging in fire protection activities, shall have such condition deemed ‘to be proximately caused by the employment of that employee’ for purposes of compensation.
Source: Confined Space 28 December – Find out more
TESLA WORKERS AFRAID OF DENOUNCING WORSENING CONDITIONS
At its annual news conference, German union IG Metall said a growing number of Tesla workers reported longer working hours with little free time. IG Metall, with an office near the automaker’s plant in Brandenburg, is in regular contact with Tesla workers. ‘Tesla is not doing enough to improve working conditions and is leaving too little time for leisure, family and recovery’, said Irene Schulz of IG Metall Berlin-Brandenburg-Sachsen.
Source: etui - Find out more
STRONG E.U. RESPONSE NEEDED TO PSYCHO-SOCIAL RISKS
On 7 and 8 December 2022, the European Trade Union Institute held the 8th edition of the ‘Psychosocial Risk Network’ meeting. The meeting focused on new research outcomes to contribute to shaping a collective answer to this urgent problem across the EU. Studies show that the risks are common across sectors, but also that three groups of workers are in the most vulnerable situation – the young, the women and the less educated – and mental health issues have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and its heavy consequences on employment and work conditions.
Source: etui - Find out more