Worker/Public Protection: The Double Standard

Abstract

Abstract This article is the first in a series which will explore the differences in protection from hazards provided to workers and the general public. In this article, the authors explore the extent of this differential exposure to the hazards of technology, its institutionalization in government standards in the United States and abroad, its health implications, and the justifications offered to support its practice. Subsequent articles will explore in detail the arguments for and against differential protection in the context of case studies of pesticides, lead, and nuclear power. Future articles will also evaluate the soundness of the moral arguments and will examine the ways in which society can respond to inequities and policy issues. Most of the work on which this series is based has been conducted at the Center for Technology, Environment, and Development at Clark University or by individuals associated with the Center. Roger E. Kasperson and Robert W. Kates of Clark University are co-editors of the series.