The Missouri highway police, clad in traditional blues, have replaced the St. Louis county police, who had been clad from head toe in riot gear -- helmets, shields, vests, etc.
While the county's use of tear gas, rubber bullets and flash bang style grenades, against innocent protesters, was clearly improper, I don't think that their use of Personal Protective Equipment (helmets, armor and shields) was inappropriate. There was and still is violent rioting separate from the protesters.
Last night, three highway troopers were injured in the looting and rioting.
The Missouri highway patrol has a duty to provide PPE to it's employees. I don't think their desire to present a kinder, gentler image supersedes the employee's right to work in a safe environment with adequate access to PPE.
OSHA defines PPE as:
What is personal protective equipment?
Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards. Personal protective equipment may include items such as gloves, safety glasses and shoes, earplugs or muffs, hard hats, respirators, or coveralls, vests and full body suits.
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How do I find out about employer responsibilities and worker rights?
Workers have a right to a safe workplace. The law requires employers to provide their employees with working conditions that are free of known dangers. The OSHA law also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising their rights under the law (including the right to raise a health and safety concern or report an injury). For more information see www.whistleblowers.gov or worker rights.
I hope that Captain Johnson isn't setting himself up for some serious liability. Someone needs to blow the whistle on this.
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Police in Ferguson & OSHA violations (Original post)
