Jordan Barab
@jbarab.bsky.social
Workplace safety & health, & labor. OSHA Deputy Assistant Secretary 2009-17. Ran AFSCME's health & safety program 1982-98. Also House Ed & Labor Ctte & Chemical Safety Board
Read my workplace health & safety blog: Confined Space http://jordanbarab.com
Read my workplace health & safety blog: Confined Space http://jordanbarab.com
Reposted by Jordan Barab
The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of any major industry in the country, second only to mining, according the CDC. Add in drug overdoses, where construction workers die at a greater rate than workers in any other industry.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/r...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/r...
A Construction Worker’s Suicide Highlights a Wider Crisis
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:12 PM
The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of any major industry in the country, second only to mining, according the CDC. Add in drug overdoses, where construction workers die at a greater rate than workers in any other industry.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/r...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/r...
The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of any major industry in the country, second only to mining, according the CDC. Add in drug overdoses, where construction workers die at a greater rate than workers in any other industry.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/r...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/r...
A Construction Worker’s Suicide Highlights a Wider Crisis
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:12 PM
The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of any major industry in the country, second only to mining, according the CDC. Add in drug overdoses, where construction workers die at a greater rate than workers in any other industry.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/r...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/r...
I'm shocked, SHOCKED, to learn that ICE agent Ross was not hit by Renee Good's car, much less "run over."
I'm sure Kristi Gnome and Trump will be correcting their statements any moment.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/v...
I'm sure Kristi Gnome and Trump will be correcting their statements any moment.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/v...
Video Analysis of ICE Shooting Sheds Light on Contested Moments
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM
I'm shocked, SHOCKED, to learn that ICE agent Ross was not hit by Renee Good's car, much less "run over."
I'm sure Kristi Gnome and Trump will be correcting their statements any moment.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/v...
I'm sure Kristi Gnome and Trump will be correcting their statements any moment.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/v...
Reposted by Jordan Barab
"We should not allow this carnage to continue"
Congress shouldn’t give the artificial stone industry immunity from litigation.
Instead, congress should ban the product to so its stops killing workers.
That would protect the manufacturers and the distributors from lawsuits, as well.
Congress shouldn’t give the artificial stone industry immunity from litigation.
Instead, congress should ban the product to so its stops killing workers.
That would protect the manufacturers and the distributors from lawsuits, as well.
As California Silicosis Cases Rise, Engineered Stone Industry Seeks Immunity in DC | KQED
Artificial stone manufacturers, facing hundreds of silicosis lawsuits in California, urged lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to pass a bill shielding the industry from liability as cases rise nationwide ...
www.kqed.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:53 PM
"We should not allow this carnage to continue"
Congress shouldn’t give the artificial stone industry immunity from litigation.
Instead, congress should ban the product to so its stops killing workers.
That would protect the manufacturers and the distributors from lawsuits, as well.
Congress shouldn’t give the artificial stone industry immunity from litigation.
Instead, congress should ban the product to so its stops killing workers.
That would protect the manufacturers and the distributors from lawsuits, as well.
Actually it will cost twice that much when Democrats are change the name back when they get back in power in 2029.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
Renaming Defense Department Could Cost Taxpayers $125 Million
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:25 AM
Actually it will cost twice that much when Democrats are change the name back when they get back in power in 2029.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
I'm thinking we should bring Mexican troops here to patrol our streets and send ICE down to Mexico.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/w...
The U.S. Is Pressing Mexico to Allow U.S. Forces to Fight Cartels
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:58 PM
I'm thinking we should bring Mexican troops here to patrol our streets and send ICE down to Mexico.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/w...
Reposted by Jordan Barab
You often hear that Americans don't want to do back-breaking jobs like roofing. Ronda Kaysen and Rob Gebeloff have a great piece explaining how the jobs actually became lousy and low-paying first, *then* Americans no longer wanted to do them. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
Where Did All the American-Born Roofers Go?
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:48 PM
You often hear that Americans don't want to do back-breaking jobs like roofing. Ronda Kaysen and Rob Gebeloff have a great piece explaining how the jobs actually became lousy and low-paying first, *then* Americans no longer wanted to do them. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/u...
Reposted by Jordan Barab
Trump EPA head, Lee Zeldin: I mean, sure, formaldehyde is known to cause cancer, but the previous amount of formaldehyde the government allowed was so small, we’re just doubling that amount, it’s not like we’re doubling cancer risk, ‘cause the small number was close to zero, so double zero = zero.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has proposed to double the amount of formaldehyde acceptable for our families to breathe. 😡😡😡 #momsky
actnow.momscleanairforce.org/a/toxic-form....
actnow.momscleanairforce.org/a/toxic-form....
Tell EPA: Protect Our Children From Toxic Formaldehyde
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has proposed to double the amount of formaldehyde acceptable for our families to breathe. Formaldehyde causes more cancer than many other substances. Join Moms in soundin...
actnow.momscleanairforce.org
January 15, 2026 at 2:05 AM
Trump EPA head, Lee Zeldin: I mean, sure, formaldehyde is known to cause cancer, but the previous amount of formaldehyde the government allowed was so small, we’re just doubling that amount, it’s not like we’re doubling cancer risk, ‘cause the small number was close to zero, so double zero = zero.
Reposted by Jordan Barab
A remembrance of the health & safety and labor heroes we've lost over the past year.
jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
In Memoriam: Those We Lost in 2025 - Confined Space
In Memoriam: Those we lost last year. All were heroes who worked to save workers lives. They are all missed
jordanbarab.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:51 PM
A remembrance of the health & safety and labor heroes we've lost over the past year.
jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
Iran Backpedals on Executions Threat but Casts Protesters as ‘Terrorists’
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:29 PM
A remembrance of the health & safety and labor heroes we've lost over the past year.
jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
In Memoriam: Those We Lost in 2025 - Confined Space
In Memoriam: Those we lost last year. All were heroes who worked to save workers lives. They are all missed
jordanbarab.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:51 PM
A remembrance of the health & safety and labor heroes we've lost over the past year.
jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
Reposted by Jordan Barab
Aftter devastating #NIOSH last April, the Trump administration retreats in the face of resistance by unions, public health advocates and Democratic politicians. We fight, we win. jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
Trump Administration Retreats on NIOSH Destruction - Confined Space
The Department of Health and Human Services announced the restoration of NIOSH funding and services.
jordanbarab.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Aftter devastating #NIOSH last April, the Trump administration retreats in the face of resistance by unions, public health advocates and Democratic politicians. We fight, we win. jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
Reposted by Jordan Barab
Hearing Report: This legislation is a death sentence for workers in this industry. If there is no obligation of manufacturers to ensure that downstream users of their products are safe, we will continue to see more silicosis cases, more lung transplants & more deaths. @ngreenfieldboyce.bsky.social
January 14, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Hearing Report: This legislation is a death sentence for workers in this industry. If there is no obligation of manufacturers to ensure that downstream users of their products are safe, we will continue to see more silicosis cases, more lung transplants & more deaths. @ngreenfieldboyce.bsky.social
Aftter devastating #NIOSH last April, the Trump administration retreats in the face of resistance by unions, public health advocates and Democratic politicians. We fight, we win. jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
Trump Administration Retreats on NIOSH Destruction - Confined Space
The Department of Health and Human Services announced the restoration of NIOSH funding and services.
jordanbarab.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Aftter devastating #NIOSH last April, the Trump administration retreats in the face of resistance by unions, public health advocates and Democratic politicians. We fight, we win. jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
Former #OSHA head Dr David Michaels will testify this morning about Republican attempt to ban workers from suing artificial countertop companies when they get silicosis from their work.
Or they could just make sure the job is done safely instead of killing workers.
jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
Or they could just make sure the job is done safely instead of killing workers.
jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
Congressional Hearing: Protecting Industry that is Killing Workers - Confined Space
A House Judiciary Subcommittee will hold a hearing today on protecting the silica industry from the workers it is killing.
jordanbarab.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Former #OSHA head Dr David Michaels will testify this morning about Republican attempt to ban workers from suing artificial countertop companies when they get silicosis from their work.
Or they could just make sure the job is done safely instead of killing workers.
jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
Or they could just make sure the job is done safely instead of killing workers.
jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
Reposted by Jordan Barab
Today’s hearing featuring @raskin.house.gov and Jim Jordan should be well worth watching.
I will testify that rather than ban lawsuits by workers with silicosis, we should ban the product that is causing the disease.
Tune in at 10 AM ET at the link below.
I will testify that rather than ban lawsuits by workers with silicosis, we should ban the product that is causing the disease.
Tune in at 10 AM ET at the link below.
Hundreds of workers who fabricate artificial stone countertops have developed silicosis. Dozens have died. Manufacturers of the product have known for years about the risk but have done nothing.
Tomorrow, I will be testifying against legislation prohibiting lawsuits by workers with silicosis. 1/ 🧵
Tomorrow, I will be testifying against legislation prohibiting lawsuits by workers with silicosis. 1/ 🧵
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Protecting the American Stone Slab Industry from Lawfare
judiciary.house.gov
January 14, 2026 at 1:43 PM
Today’s hearing featuring @raskin.house.gov and Jim Jordan should be well worth watching.
I will testify that rather than ban lawsuits by workers with silicosis, we should ban the product that is causing the disease.
Tune in at 10 AM ET at the link below.
I will testify that rather than ban lawsuits by workers with silicosis, we should ban the product that is causing the disease.
Tune in at 10 AM ET at the link below.
Who says murder doesn't pay? ICE officers across the nation are now thinking twice -- about NOT murdering demonstrators.
share.google/mIFlHxu6Y2iy...
share.google/mIFlHxu6Y2iy...
ICE agent who shot Renee Good gets $10K donation from Bill Ackman
The unverified campaign aims to aid Jonathan Ross, an ICE removal officer based in Minnesota, who fatally shot mother Renee Nicole Good, 37, on Jan. 7.
share.google
January 13, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Who says murder doesn't pay? ICE officers across the nation are now thinking twice -- about NOT murdering demonstrators.
share.google/mIFlHxu6Y2iy...
share.google/mIFlHxu6Y2iy...
Trump can't conceive that anyone would ever take any action out of principle or because it's the right thing to do.
They must be getting paid for it.
Otherwise, what's the point?
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/u...
They must be getting paid for it.
Otherwise, what's the point?
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/u...
January 13, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Trump can't conceive that anyone would ever take any action out of principle or because it's the right thing to do.
They must be getting paid for it.
Otherwise, what's the point?
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/u...
They must be getting paid for it.
Otherwise, what's the point?
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/u...
Reposted by Jordan Barab
Real question: If that ICE officer who killed Renee Good had actually been hit by her car, and gone to the hospital, wouldn't we be seeing photos of his terribly bruised thigh? His crushed limb? Or maybe some medical reports. Did he even go to the hospital?
January 13, 2026 at 3:52 AM
Real question: If that ICE officer who killed Renee Good had actually been hit by her car, and gone to the hospital, wouldn't we be seeing photos of his terribly bruised thigh? His crushed limb? Or maybe some medical reports. Did he even go to the hospital?
Reposted by Jordan Barab
How Workers Died Last Week: Three dead from electrocutions, 5 workers crushed under vehicles, construction, confined space, welding explosion, falls, machete attack, shootings and vehicle incidents: The Weekly Toll jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
Weekly Toll: Killed on the Job - Confined Space
On average, over 100 workers are killed every week in the United States due to traumatic injuries suffered at work. Here are how a few died last week.
jordanbarab.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:40 PM
How Workers Died Last Week: Three dead from electrocutions, 5 workers crushed under vehicles, construction, confined space, welding explosion, falls, machete attack, shootings and vehicle incidents: The Weekly Toll jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
Real question: If that ICE officer who killed Renee Good had actually been hit by her car, and gone to the hospital, wouldn't we be seeing photos of his terribly bruised thigh? His crushed limb? Or maybe some medical reports. Did he even go to the hospital?
January 13, 2026 at 3:52 AM
Real question: If that ICE officer who killed Renee Good had actually been hit by her car, and gone to the hospital, wouldn't we be seeing photos of his terribly bruised thigh? His crushed limb? Or maybe some medical reports. Did he even go to the hospital?
How Workers Died Last Week: Three dead from electrocutions, 5 workers crushed under vehicles, construction, confined space, welding explosion, falls, machete attack, shootings and vehicle incidents: The Weekly Toll jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
Weekly Toll: Killed on the Job - Confined Space
On average, over 100 workers are killed every week in the United States due to traumatic injuries suffered at work. Here are how a few died last week.
jordanbarab.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:40 PM
How Workers Died Last Week: Three dead from electrocutions, 5 workers crushed under vehicles, construction, confined space, welding explosion, falls, machete attack, shootings and vehicle incidents: The Weekly Toll jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...
EPA removes the benefits from Cost-Benefit analysis: Health & safety regulations are judged comparing costs (to businesses) against benefits (to communities & workers). EPA will now only look at costs. Not the lives saved or health protected. #OSHA is doing the same www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/c...
E.P.A. to Stop Considering Lives Saved When Setting Rules on Air Pollution
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:53 PM
EPA removes the benefits from Cost-Benefit analysis: Health & safety regulations are judged comparing costs (to businesses) against benefits (to communities & workers). EPA will now only look at costs. Not the lives saved or health protected. #OSHA is doing the same www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/c...