Uploaded January 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
This award-winning documentary by Abby Ginzberg traces the history of the struggle to rid the workplace of occupational hazards. Using archival footage, union songs and interviews, it tells its story both from the point of view of the labor activists and those within the medical profession who became their advocates. This video features interviews and archival footage, of occupational health risks and movements to decrease these risks, past and present, from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 to chemical hazards in the computer chip industry. The central theme is that company officials know, that company doctors know, but "those who know don't tell." That has been the history of occupational health. That could also be its future-unless workers, unions, health professionals and health care organizations continue to be active in the ongoing battle for workers' health. The fight for occupational health began almost one hundred years ago with Dr. Alice Hamilton's discovery of lead-caused industrial disease. She was followed by others such as Dr. Harriet Hardy of M.I.T., who discovered the dangers of beryllium. More recently, Dr. Irving Selikoff uncovered the danger of asbestos to workers and publicized his findings despite pressure from the asbestos industry to silence him. This documentary was narrated by Studs Terkel. Thanks to filmmaker Abby Ginzberg for permission to post her wonderful film. To see more of her amazing work, visit the website socialactionmedia.com/.
This award-winning documentary by Abby Ginzberg traces the history of the struggle to rid the workplace of occupational hazards. Using archival footage, union songs and interviews, it tells its story both from the point of view of the labor activists and those within the medical profession who became their advocates. This video features interviews and archival footage, of occupational health risks and movements to decrease these risks, past and present, from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 to chemical hazards in the computer chip industry. The central theme is that company officials know, that company doctors know, but "those who know don't tell." That has been the history of occupational health. That could also be its future-unless workers, unions, health professionals and health care organizations continue to be active in the ongoing battle for workers' health. The fight for occupational health began almost one hundred years ago with Dr. Alice Hamilton's discovery of lead-caused industrial disease. She was followed by others such as Dr. Harriet Hardy of M.I.T., who discovered the dangers of beryllium. More recently, Dr. Irving Selikoff uncovered the danger of asbestos to workers and publicized his findings despite pressure from the asbestos industry to silence him. This documentary was narrated by Studs Terkel. Thanks to filmmaker Abby Ginzberg for permission to post her wonderful film. To see more of her amazing work, visit the website socialactionmedia.com/.
