Working In These Times
Oil Spill Clean-up Workers: We’re Getting Sick From Lack of Protective Gear
Grant Gaudet waits with other fishermen who have been recruited to help with the clean-up of the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill, on May 2 in Boothville, La. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Some fishermen hired by BP to clean up spill oil say they've become ill after being exposed to oil and dispersant without proper personal protective equipment.
Several south Louisiana fishermen working on the cleanup told the LA Times that they had developed headaches, coughing, nausea, and other symptoms. The workers said they'd been working without facemasks or gloves.
BP spokesman Graham McEwen told the Times that he was not aware that any workers were getting sick.
Yesterday, 125 fishing boats working off Breton Sound in Louisiana were called off the job after workers on three separate boats reported nausea, chest pain, and other symptoms. One worker had to be evacuated by air ambulance and two others were driven to hospital, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.) wants the Department of Health and Human Services to set up mobile clinics for clean-up workers and send the bill to BP. Melancon outlined the proposal in a letter to Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. As Melancon explained in the May 19 letter, workers are being exposed to hazardous materials on a daily basis and many are hours away from the nearest clinic.
SAVE 53% OFF
Comments
How come that he is not aware that their employees are getting sick? Let’s say he really don’t know, part of his job is to provide protective gear. What some don’t know is, how many names BP has for itself. Both organizations ARCO and AMPM are businesses selling BP oil, and I imagine soon after this incident they’ll open some a lot more with some new names to make certain they nevertheless sell their gas. Even with this massive spill, BP isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, they are close to since the very first decade within the 1900’s, and have been a major oil giant ever because, though through several names.
“Oil spill after oli spill excuse after excuse, where will it end?” quote from techblogg