Silence?

So, has anyone seen a statement from the governor or the Secretary of Labor about yesterday's workplace tragedy?

I can't find anything.

Continue reading Silence?

Paging Cherie K. Berry

Been doing your job much lately?

A major explosion hit a ConAgra food plant Tuesday, sending suspected ammonia fumes in the air and blocking access for a half-mile in all directions.

Family members were trying to reach employees of the plant on Jones Sausage Road, and were being escorted from a nearby Wilco Hess gas station.

Reports from the scene are that people were injured from the explosion and the ammonia fumes.

UDPDATE: This article gives a little background on how Ms. Berry has been missing in action for much of her term as labor Secretary of the state of North Carolina.

A Charlotte Observer investigation last year found that penalties for serious workplace violations in the state's manufacturing plants are less than half the national average. Some poultry processing plants haven't been inspected in more than five years.

Berry has said she can do more to improve workplace safety by cooperating with businesses than by levying stiff fines.

Obviously.

UPDATE II:

The 425,000-square-foot plant last was inspected by the North Carolina Department of Labor for workplace safety last July and no violations were found, said Labor Department spokeswoman Dolores Quesenberry.

Ooooh, we'd love to read that report and hear comments from anyone who works there.

Continue reading Paging Cherie K. Berry