Q&A: Veteran NPR Reporter Talks about Worker Safety

On this West Virginia Morning, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, website, on average, about 14 people a day in the United States are killed while working. This weekend’s episode of Inside Appalachia explores how weak regulatory laws, and a failure to prioritize worker safety, may be contributing to more deaths, and a higher risk of workplace accidents. This morning, we’ll hear a preview of the episode.

Roxy Todd talks with investigative reporter Howard Berkes, who recently retired from NPR after working for nearly four decades reporting on worker safety.

You can hear a longer version of their conversation in this week’s episode of Inside Appalachia — Sunday morning at 7 and again Sunday evening at 6 on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Also on today’s show, eclectic folk group Hiss Golden Messenger appears on this week’s encore episode of Mountain Stage. The band worked their way through songs from the album “Hallelujah Anyhow,” as well as our Mountain Stage Song of the Week from their 2013 release “Haw.”

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Caitlin Tan, Jessica Lilly, Kara Lofton, Liz McCormick, Dave Mistich, Brittany Patterson, Eric Douglas, Cory Knollinger, Emily Allen and Roxy Todd.

Our news director is Jesse Wright, our producer is Glynis Board and our host is Teresa Wills.