Axt Case Study And It's Deadly Effects
AXT Case Study and Its Deadly Effects
Root Problems
Despite citations and fines, American Xtal Technologies also known as AXT was not able to improve the safety conditions of its workers. The factory would rather lay off potential ill workers and pack up to move it operations where there are less strict health regulations in place for employees.
The lack of information, lack of hazardous training, and lack of taking safety precautions to ensure that air was not above toxic limits are all root problems that caused an ethical blow out for AXT and its former employees.
Even before CAL/OSHA had begun monitoring the air quality in the plant, the company had been conducting their own internal air monitoring. The internal monitoring revealed that their employees had been exposed to over 21 times the permissible limit for arsenic dust since 1999 and did little to inform, educate and improve conditions for their employees.
Over 500 of employees were left unemployed and in fear of growing ill. Now without employment they may have difficulty receiving a thorough health screening to determine whether their old work environment has caused them or their family any harm. The vast majority of the employees had not been informed of working in a hazardous environment and may have exposed their families.
Roles of the Key players
There were many key players involved in this case. AXT management played the leading role in the misconduct. The unknowing employees and their families affected by the toxins. CAL/OSHA, who inspected the facilities help prove the claims of the employees. Lastly, the community stepped in to aid the victims.
AXT specialized in producing crystals of gallium arsenide, a compound semiconductor whose properties have special applications and are used in devices such as cell phones and satellites. Gallium arsenide is a very fragile entity....
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