| Plant's sterilization rule for fertile women cited. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 12336913 Owner: PIP Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The American Cyanamid Corporation has been cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for violating federal law by requiring female employees of childbearing age to be sterilized in order to continue working in areas of the plant where they would be exposed to high levels of airborne lead. High levels of airborne lead can cause damage to workers' reproductive systems and be responsible for birth defects in fetuses. The OSHA charged that American Cyanamid's policy constituted a "willful violation" of the 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Act requires employers to provide employment that is free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or physical harm. According to OSHA, the Act does not allow an employer to eliminate the hazard by compelling employees to choose between losing their jobs and undergoing sterilization. The reproductive health of workers is considered a valid part of OSHA's regulatory concern. The citation, which carries a $10,000 fine, grew out of a complaint that was filed by the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union on behalf of 5 female workers working in the lead pigment division of the company's Willow Island, West Virginia plant. The 5 employees alleged that they had themselves sterilized to avoid being transferred to other and possibly lower paying janitorial jobs or losing thier jobs completely. The company is appealing the citation. The union has also filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission charging American Cyanamid with sex discrimination, since only the women workers are at risk of being transferred to lower paying jobs. |
Authors:
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Family planning/population reporter; a review of State laws and policies Volume: 8 ISSN: 0090-0923 ISO Abbreviation: Fam Plann Popul Rep Publication Date: 1979 |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1981-08-04 Completed Date: 1981-08-04 Revised Date: 2011-07-06 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0357432 Medline TA: Fam Plann Popul Rep Country: UNITED STATES |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 78 Citation Subset: J |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Americas Developed Countries Economics Employment* Family Planning Services Health Manpower Industry* North America Reference Standards* Sterilization, Reproductive* United States |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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