Chapter 5, Problem 16BS

Lead acts as an enzyme inhibitor, and it can interfere with the development of the nervous system. One manufacturer of lead-acid batteries instituted a “fetal protection policy” that banned female employees of childbearing age from working in areas where they might be exposed to high levels of lead. These women were transferred to lower-paying jobs in lower-risk areas. Some employees challenged the policy in court, claiming that it deprived women of job opportunities available to men. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled the policy illegal. But many people are uncomfortable about the “right” to work in an unsafe environment. What rights and responsibilities of employers, employees, and government agencies are in conflict? What criteria should be used to decide who can work in a particular environment?