Education
Lecture
12th Annual Upton Sinclair Memorial Lecture for Outstanding EHS Investigative Reporting
Tuesday | 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. |
Topic:
Lectures and Awards
Preventable Deaths at “Model Workplaces”: Finding Unexpected Stories on one of the Most Overlooked Beats in Journalism
Presenter: Chris Hamby, The Center for Public Integrity, Washington, DC.
Between 2000 and 2011, more than 80 workers died at workplaces that were exempted from regular inspections because they were deemed among the nation’s safest. In a majority of the cases, regulators found serious safety violations, but there were usually few consequences for the company. This story is one of many that reporters could find on one of the most overlooked beats in journalism. Articles about the conditions that working men and women face can resonate deeply with a wide audience, but getting them in readers’ hands and making them relatable can be challenging. Though many traditional news outlets have placed investigative reporting on the chopping block, there are many opportunities for far-reaching stories. Hamby will discuss an eight-month examination of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Programs, as well as investigative reporting on issues ranging from combustible dust to occupational illnesses.
