National

BIA employees report workplace safety fears

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

More than a quarter of Bureau of Indian Affairs employees say "serious" health and safety deficiencies exist in the workplace, according to a new audit.

The Interior Department's Inspector General surveyed Interior employees about workplace safety. BIA employees had the highest response rate and reported the highest rate of unsafe working conditions.

Some of the deficiencies were tied to Bureau of Indian Education schools. Of 184 schools in the system, 38 percent are in poor condition, according to the report.

"This deterioration ranges from minor deficiencies such as leaking roofs to major deficiencies like structural weaknesses, outdated electrical systems, and inadequate fire detection and suppression systems," the report said. "The deteriorating conditions at the Chinle Boarding School in Arizona create the potential for a catastrophic fire or explosion."

Problems exist at other BIA facilities as well. About 40 employees in Fort Yates, North Dakota, face "imminent danger" by working at a building that is in danger of collapsing, the report said. Two reservation dams also pose safety risks.

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UDIT FINDS MAJOR HAZARDS IN INTERIOR DEPARTMENT (PEER 4/9)