Editorial: Final touches on state safety review

Tuesday, May 26, 1998 | 12:06 p.m.

Once completed, the panel will send its proposals to Gov. Bob Miller, who established the commission to conduct a review of state regulations and laws in the aftermath of a blast at the Sierra Chemical Co. plant outside Reno. The explosion killed four workers and injured six others.

The Associated Press notes that a preliminary report from the commission recommends that state law requires stricter inspection procedures and that workers get training in a language they understand. The state Division of Industrial Relations cited in its investigation that while all of the workers were Hispanic and few spoke English, the plant's safety and operations manuals were available only in English. In addition, the governor's commission also recommends restricting the location of explosives manufacturing companies.

Too many other government studies following disasters, including one that then-Lt. Gov. Bob Miller chaired in 1998 after the Pacific Engineering explosion, have come up with recommendations that have frequently collected dust instead of being implemented. State agencies and the 1999 Legislature shouldn't fumble this opportunity to improve workplace safety and safeguard communities near these plants.