Somerville man killed at work among those to be honored

Somerville Journal: April 20, 2010

Here in Somerville we lost a neighbor to workplace violence.

Next week marks the 39th anniversary since the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act was enacted, promising every worker the right to a safe job. Yet more than 60 men and women are killed each year in Massachusetts and more than 10,000 seriously injured — a reminder that we have a long way to go before we achieve safe, healthy workplaces.

Here in Somerville we lost a neighbor to workplace violence. Surenda Dangol of Somerville joined four other Massachusetts workers who were murdered at work last year. While workplace violence involves a criminal act, it would be wrong to think of these incidents as solely a law enforcement issue or an inevitable “fact of life” in high crime areas.

There are important steps that can be taken to reduce the chances of workplace violence — from making high-risk areas more visible to more people to installing good external lighting to using drop safes or other methods to minimize cash on hand. By expanding the use of proven safety measures in retail establishments through legislation, ordinances, partnerships with police and neighborhood groups, and the adoption of best practices by storeowners, we can reduce the incidence of work-related homicides.

Next Wednesday, April 28, at noon, workers and community members from across the commonwealth will gather at the State House to honor workers who lost their lives on the job and rededicate ourselves to the fight for safe jobs. Perhaps this year we can put an end to the loss of life and limb and ensure that all workers can go to work and return home with their health and well-being intact.

Marcy Goldstein-Gelb
Somerville

Marcy Goldstein-Gelb is the executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health.