Articles Posted in Boston Work Accidents

Temporary workers face some of the most dangerous working conditions. There are several reasons for the risk of injury. Temp workers are often in high-risk industries like manufacturing, factories, farming, and construction. These worker are often not treated as employees and are denied basic training that could increase the risk of injury or wrongful death. Given the dangerous nature of temporary workers, OSHA and other workers’ rights advocacy groups are making efforts to ramp up safety for temporary workers. Improving working conditions, including safety protocols, equipment, and training could help to reduce the number of accidents that temporary workers face when on the job.

According to a recent report by Pro Publica, temporary work is one of the fastest growing segments of the economy. Despite the large sector of the economy, the injury rates have been rising while regulatory measures have remained relatively stagnant. For companies, relying on a temporary work force can be an economically viable alternative to hiring. Businesses can hire workers on a daily basis and eliminate costs for insurance, workers’ compensation and unemployment taxes. The availability is a huge advantage for companies, while putting America’s workforce at risk. Our workplace accident attorneys are dedicated to raising awareness to improve safety and prevent future accidents and injury.
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Workers compensation benefits entitles employees to collect compensation while injured in the course of performing work-related duties. Under workers’ compensation law, victims do not have to prove liability or negligence and can even collect if they are partially or fully responsible for the accident. One question that comes up frequently in workers’ compensation law is whether or not employees can collect workers’ compensation if they were involved in a car accident while commuting to work or performing work-related duties in a vehicle. Delivery drivers, truck drivers, sales representatives and other individuals who must drive for work are often victims of car accident injuries.

In a recent case the Massachusetts Appeals Court held that a manager was entitled to collect workers’ compensation benefits after he was involved in a car accident on his way to work. Our workers’ compensation attorneys are dedicated to helping employees collect the benefits they are entitled to after an accident or injury. While collecting workers’ compensation does not involve proving fault, many victims may face challenges when presenting their case. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping workers collect and prepare necessary documentation to ensure compensation in an effective and timely manner.
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In a recent East Boston work accident, a man was killed by a 12,000-pound beam. According to the Boston Globe, the beat fell onto the man at Boston Bridge & Steel Inc., located on Marginal Street just after 6:00 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“A large piece in an arch shape shifted on the worker, trapping him underneath,” said Steve MacDonald, a spokesman for the Boston Fire Department.

Our workers’ compensation lawyers in Massachusetts note officials have concluded there was no foul play involved in this accident, but that doesn’t mean there was nothing that could have been done to prevent it. We also understand that this is the second accident involve an industrial worker death in five days in the city of Boston. Just days before, another was killed at a Downtown Crossing work site. This worker was serious injured by a scissor lift at roughly 2:00 p.m. and later died of the injuries.
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Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced a request for information seeking public comment on potential revisions to its Process Safety Management standard and related standards. The government agency is also looking for input regarding other policy options to prevent major chemical incidents.

The RFI comes as a response to executive order 13650. This order looks to improve chemical facility security and safety. It was issued in the wake of the April 2013 West, Texas, tragedy that killed close to 20 workers in an ammonium nitrate explosion.

Our Boston workers’ compensation lawyers understand that there are as many as 100,000 deaths and 390,000 injuries each every year as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals in the workplace. If there are toxic chemicals, wherever they may be, officials with OSHA regulate how they should be handled and in what quantities they are allowed. Unfortunately, employers aren’t always on the same page. The five main components of the OSHA’s Hazard Communication (Hazcom) standard are hazard evaluation, a written hazard communication program, material safety data sheets (MSDS), labeling and other hazard warnings, and employee information and training.
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Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released their list of the most frequently cited violations across the nation. According to Safety and Health Magazine, citations regarding fall protection were the most common throughout the year. More than 8,200 of these citations were issued, which serves as about 1,000 more than last year.

In second, hazardous communication. The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). This occupational safety and health standard is intended to address comprehensively the issue of classifying the potential hazards of chemicals, and communicating information concerning hazards and appropriate protective measures to employees, and to preempt any legislative or regulatory enactments of a state, or political subdivision of a state, pertaining to this subject. There were more than 6,100 citations issued for violating this standard in workplaces across the U.S.

Our workers’ compensation lawyers in Massachusetts understand there are very strict guidelines in place. Unfortunately, companies and employers don’t always follow these guidelines and standards and, in turn, risk the safety and health of their employees. Employees are required to provide a workplace free from serious recognized hazards and to comply with standards, rules and regulations issued under the OSH Act, according to the United States Department of Labor (DOL).
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Officials with the U.S. Department of Labor recently announced four new rules that aim to help business owners. The new rules aim to reduce regulatory burden on employers by updating or rescinding unnecessary rules, regulations and requirements.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated and reworked the federal standard for employees using mechanical power presses. These rules were finalized and published in the wake of the Obama Administration’s efforts to modernize the regulatory system and reduce unfair regulatory burdens.

Our Boston workers’ compensation lawyers understand that both employers and workers need to focus on what is most likely to keep them safe. Outdated and unnecessary regulation detracts from the time, energy and focus where it is needed most.

Visit regulation.gov today and submit your comments on proposed regulations and related documents published by the federal government.
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Safety News Alert has published some advice for employers on what they can do about employees who are on prescription drugs that cause drowsiness or that can interfere with an employee’s ability to do his job.

Our work injury attorneys in Massachusetts know that the issue of prescription drug use– and especially prescription pain killer use– is a big one. In fact, an NBC News report showed an 18 percent jump in the number of workers who tested positive for opiates in 2009, as compared to prior years. While employers may be concerned about their potential liability if a worker on a prescription drug causes injury, those employees who depend upon prescriptions need to know their rights and how the use of a prescription drug can affect a work injury claim.
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Crystalline silica kills hundreds of workers and sickens thousands more in the U.S. each and every year. And that’s why officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have proposed a rule to help curb this exposure. They’re looking to curb kidney disease, pulmonary disease, chronic silicosis and lung cancer. They want to do this by lowering employees’ exposure to crystalline silica.

“Exposure to silica can be deadly, and limiting that exposure is essential,” said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Our Boston worker’s compensation lawyers understand that a rule like this could wind up saving about 700 lives and prevent more than 1,500 new cases of silicosis each and every year. Don’t think you’re at risk? Consider this: Exposure to airborne silica dust happens in jobs that involve crushing, drilling, sawing and the cutting of block, brick, concrete and other stone products as well as in operations in which sand products are used — like in sand blasting, foundries and glass manufacturing.
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration was recently slapped with 14 notices of unhealthful or unsafe working conditions after an inspection ot Logan International Airport in Boston. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the inspection occurred in February as a part of the Administration’s Federal Agency Targeting Inspection Program.

“Employees who work daily to protect the traveling public also deserve protection against on-the-job hazards, each and every day,” said Brenda Gordon with OSHA.

Our Boston workers’ compensation lawyers understand that airports are very busy places, and sadly accidents and incidents occur on a daily basis. There are various reasons for this, including technical breakdown or system failure, human error and even organizational failures that commonly result because of inadequate training, supervisions or safety procedures.
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