Workplace Safety

NC’s Anti-Retaliation Law For Workers Is Not Working.

By & • Aug 14, 2020
A yellow warning triangle sign showing a person slipping on the ground.
Flickr / Creative Commons

North Carolina’s 1992 Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act (REDA) is intended to protect workers from retaliation when they file complaints related to on-the-job injury and other health and safety concerns. It should keep employers from firing workers who complain.

Worker Dead In Raleigh Construction Accident

By • Jan 22, 2019
Workplace deaths in North Carolina
Bureau of Labor Statistics / Jason deBruyn

One worker was killed and two more were injured at a Raleigh construction site Tuesday morning.

A wall collapsed near Triangle Town Center shopping mall in north Raleigh, burying three workers. Co-workers were able to dig out two of the workers to save their lives. Authorities have not released the identities of any of the victims.

How Sexual Harassment Affects Women in STEM

By & • Jun 20, 2018
Chris Gunn / NASA/GFSC

The number of women in STEM is growing, but large barriers remain. A new study shows that experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace have a long-term, negative impact on women faculty in sciences, engineering and medicine and diminish both their scientific productivity and opportunities for advancement.

Workplace Fatalities Hit Six-Year High

By & • Jan 31, 2017
House Under Construction
Dave DeWitt / WUNC

Workplace fatalities in North Carolina hit a six-year high, according to preliminary data released by the N.C. Department of Labor.

Nursing Injuries In Asheville

By & • Feb 18, 2015
The X-ray of nurse Tove Schuster's spine shows the metal cage and four screws her surgeon used to repair a damaged disk in her back. Terry Cawthorn underwent a similar procedure.
Daniel Zwerdling / NPR

A little-known epidemic has swept through hospitals across the country: thousands of nursing staff suffer debilitating back and arm injuries every year. 

An NPR investigation into the injuries shows most happen as a result of on-the-job incidents. Hospitals can reduce the rate of injury if administrators invest time and money into prevention and training mechanisms. 

Just In Case: Officials Want North Carolinians To Practice Earthquake Drills

By • Oct 16, 2014
A picture of a man taking cover under his desk.
Whanganui Regional Primary Health Organisation / shakeout.goct.nz

Earthquakes are rare in North Carolina, but they happen. So the North Carolina Department of Public Safety is asking businesses and schools across the state to practice earthquake drills today.

The effort is part of the Great Southeast ShakeOut.

Spokeswoman Julia Jarema says there have already been four small quakes in the North Carolina this year. And we're not insulated from seismic activity in other parts of the region.

Workers Who Died On The Job Remembered

By • Apr 26, 2013
Gurnal Scott

Friends of workers who died on the job honored their memory in Raleigh.   An observance of what they're calling Workers' Memorial Day included people reciting the names of employees killed on the job in North Carolina.