A cleanup worker stands on a derailed tank car of a Norfolk Southern freight train in East Palestine, Ohio, continues, Feb. 15, 2023. The fire that erupted after last month's train derailment in Ohio melted a key part of the tank cars filled with toxic chemicals, so federal officials warned railcar owners Thursday, March 2, 2023, to check their fleets for similar flaws. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Railroad unions report that workers for Norfolk Southern who were present at the derailment and chemical spill site in East Palestine, Ohio, have been falling ill.
Letters from union representatives were sent to officials, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, East Palestine Mayor Trent Conway, and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, alleging that the Norfolk Southern employees were experiencing symptoms such as migraines and nausea, according to CNBC.
It also went on to claim that the 35 to 40 workers were not equipped with the proper protective gear, including gloves, boots, and coverups.
A group of 12 railroad union representatives met with Buttigieg and Amit Bose, head of the Federal Railroad Administration, to call for improved safety regulations.
"Today's meeting is an opportunity for labor to share what our members are seeing and dealing with day to day," Mike Baldwin, president of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, said.
Earlier this week, a group of U.S. senators introduced the Railway Safety Act, which looks to retool and introduce new safety protocols, specifically for the transporting of hazardous materials.
As safety on the rails continues to be a topic of concern, The Guardian reported on Friday that leaked audio from 2016 revealed a manager from another rail company, Union Pacific, ordering a subordinate to stop flagging broken bearings on railcars, the type of malfunction that is being blamed for the Norfolk Southern derailment.
Jessica Traver Ingram, CEO and co-founder of IntuiTap Medical, discusses developing the company's Ver Touch device, the crucial FDA approval it just won, and why innovation in spinal blocks and epidurals is long overdue.
Matt Stucky, Chief Portfolio Manager of Equities at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management chats why Nvidia has been unsteady leading up to its latest earnings results, plus what’s to come for the so-called ‘Magnificent 7.’
Walmart's revenue increased last quarter because customers kept coming back again and again. Are most shoppers buying and avoid the same products as you are?
NBA champion Kendrick Perkins and Edly founder Chris Ricciardi discuss working together to create Nilly, a new platform where fans can invest in name, image, and likeness deals of their favorite college athletes.
Off the back of their latest earnings results, Hungryroot CEO Ben McKean discusses how the company is bringing healthy food straight to customers' doors and how it's using A.I.
Jack Ablin, Cresset Capital founding partner and CIO, breaks down the current market, from all eyes on Nvidia’s earnings to what sectors he’s seen deliver excellent returns.