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CWA Campaign Prompts Safety Reforms at Helena Labs
Following CWA charges that Helena Laboratories in Beaumont, Texas, was exposing workers to dangerous chemicals and blood-borne pathogens without proper safeguards, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Helena for 14 safety violations it termed "serious," fined the company $137,000, and ordered management to clean up the facility and tighten its safety procedures.
Helena, as part of a settlement agreement with CWA and OSHA, also will provide medical screening for past and present employees who worked in specified unsafe areas, and will work with CWA to develop air contaminant monitoring and provide regular hazard awareness training, reported District 6 Vice President Ben Turn.
Some 250 CWA members work at the Beaumont facility of Helena Labs, which is a leading manufacturer of medical diagnostic equipment including blood screening devices to test for HIV, hepatitis and other conditions.
Last March, after hearing of frequent worker complaints over skin irritations and respiratory diseases, CWA's OSH Director David LeGrande and District 6 staff interviewed workers - the unit was on strike at that time - and filed charges which prompted a surprise OSHA inspection at Helena Labs.
OSHA investigators confirmed CWA's charges that workers were not adequately protected from contact with chemicals, contaminated blood, and toxic emissions, and found that Helena Labs was lax about complying with federal training and record keeping requirements.
Helena, as part of a settlement agreement with CWA and OSHA, also will provide medical screening for past and present employees who worked in specified unsafe areas, and will work with CWA to develop air contaminant monitoring and provide regular hazard awareness training, reported District 6 Vice President Ben Turn.
Some 250 CWA members work at the Beaumont facility of Helena Labs, which is a leading manufacturer of medical diagnostic equipment including blood screening devices to test for HIV, hepatitis and other conditions.
Last March, after hearing of frequent worker complaints over skin irritations and respiratory diseases, CWA's OSH Director David LeGrande and District 6 staff interviewed workers - the unit was on strike at that time - and filed charges which prompted a surprise OSHA inspection at Helena Labs.
OSHA investigators confirmed CWA's charges that workers were not adequately protected from contact with chemicals, contaminated blood, and toxic emissions, and found that Helena Labs was lax about complying with federal training and record keeping requirements.