Utility workers face some of the most dangerous working conditions, with falls, electrocution, and other deadly accidents among the daily risks. In a tragic local case, two Bourne utility workers were killed after the boom of a crane supporting them fell to the ground. OSHA is investigating the accident to…
Chemical dependency treatment can be covered by workers’ compensation benefits under certain circumstances, the Nebraska Supreme Court recently ruled in Kim v. Gen-X Clothing, Inc.. Workplace injury lawyers recognize that this ruling sets an important precedent, and we hope courts in other jurisdictions will take note as similar cases arise.…
Electrical fires and electrocutions are a significant risk to workers in construction, factories, and other industrial jobs. After a decade of effort, the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) has finally published a rule containing new safety requirements to prevent hazards in the workplace. The rule primarily focuses on developing and…
Working conditions have changed and the computer age has left many of us sitting behind desks. While these conditions are not the most dangerous, they can still wreak havoc on our bodies, including our backs, necks, and hands. Individuals who suffer from repetitive stress injuries may be entitled to workers…
Safety training is essential to protect workers from on-the-job injuries or fatalities. While some employers fail to provide adequate training and don’t prioritize employee safety, others want to do the right thing and ensure their staff is safe. Unfortunately, even employers who want to provide safety training may encounter certain…
Within the first 12 weeks of 2014, there were six deaths of workers performing maintenance or serving cell phone towers. Based on the number of deaths of cell tower workers in 2013 (13 employees total for the year), the rate of deaths in the industry in 2014 is nearly double…
Workplace hearing loss is a major risk for workers in certain fields including the construction industry. Unfortunately, loud noises at work may do more than just damage your hearing. A new Canadian study indicates that being exposed to loud noises at work may put you at greater risk of other…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had its budget cut in 2013 because of sequestration. OSHA was already underfunded before the cuts and did not want to reduce its compliance inspections unless forced. OSHA inspectors are overextended and far too few companies receive annual workplace inspections to ensure that…
A recent study in the Journal of Applied Psychology revealed an increase in workplace injuries in the days after Daylight Savings time. No corresponding increase in the number of work injuries occurred when the clocks switched to standard time. This suggests that lack of sleep when this time switch occurs…
In its 2015 budget, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has expressed a desire to begin targeted inspections of more small businesses. OSHA is currently limited in its ability to conduct inspections on businesses with 10 or fewer employees. OSHA generally only conducts inspections of these companies in industries…