The first step is to learn about the most common hazards and what your rights are if you suffer an injury on the job. Below is an overview of common causes of retail injuries and what you should do about a workplace injury.
]]> 1. Slips, trips and fallsHere are some of the most common workplace problems that lead to slips, trips and falls:
If you slip, trip or fall at work, you could easily suffer a strain, sprain, bruise, fracture or cut.
2. Overworking
Never overexert yourself even if you are young. Overexertion is the second most common reason workers take time off of work. Excessive physical effort can result in exhaustion, back injuries, neck injuries or repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Avoid lifting items that are too heavy, working too long without a break, repeating the same motions over and over, or using a bad posture.
3. Equipment and tools
There are plenty of supplies and machinery you come into contact with at work. Potentially harmful equipment and tools include box cutters, knives, stacked boxes, forklifts, ladders and cleaning chemicals. Make sure you follow all signs, warning labels and training. Inform your manager about any potential hazards.
Your employer is responsible for training you, informing you of workplace hazards and explaining your rights as an employee. If you do suffer an injury because of negligence by your employer, you should not deal with missed pay and medical bills on your own. Make sure you explore your options, including opening a workers' compensation case.
]]>New Pig's Walk Zone Safety Report was based on data compiled during interviews with safety, maintenance, health and facilities management experts in several industry segments. Almost half of those polled severely underestimated the number of risk zones in their buildings according to the report, and less than a third of them said that they placed floor mats in customer walkways. Accidents in these areas account for about one in four slip and fall injuries.
]]> Rubber-backed floor mats are often placed in high-traffic areas to prevent mishaps, but the New Pig report indicates that these measures often make accidents more likely to occur. About 15 percent of the survey respondents told New Pig that bunched-up, shifting or wrinkled rubber-backed mats were the leading cause of fall injuries in their buildings. The report's authors say that facility managers and premises owners should take a broader view of building safety rather than just focusing on a handful of highly trafficked locations.The defendants in lawsuits filed by slip and fall accident victims often claim that they did all they could to protect their visitors and were unaware of potentially dangerous situations. Experienced personal injury attorneys will likely be familiar with such arguments, and they may use industry data to establish that accidents were foreseeable and injuries could have been prevented.
]]>This initiative strives to educate employers about the risks of struck-by accidents and provide resources to improve safety training. The outreach campaign also addresses other common forms of construction accidents, such as electrocution and falls.
]]> Struck-by accidents represent a significant source of danger for highway maintenance workers, who are classified as construction workers. Out of the struck-by fatalities reported between 2011 and 2015, 48 percent involved a vehicle hitting a worker. Over half of the vehicle strikes happened within work zones. Older workers 65 and over die in these forms of accidents more often than their younger colleagues.The family of a person killed on the job could be entitled to a death benefit from a workers' compensation insurer. The insurance is also meant to pay medical bills for workers who survive but require medical treatment. Some companies discourage workers from filing claims or the insurer denies legitimate claims. A worker having trouble accessing benefits could talk to an attorney and learn about rights to a medical evaluation and compensation for lost pay and medical expenses. A lawyer could help the person prepare claim paperwork and manage negotiations with an insurance company.
]]>Air tests were completed at seven different locations. Researchers determined that this water pipe repair method released chemical plumes that contained some organic compounds and vapors that were known carcinogens. It has previously been assumed that the plumes released during the curing process were just made of harmless steam. Because there are no known studies that determines what exposure limits to workers, the public and the environment are safe, additional research will be needed.
]]> The findings contradict the longstanding assumptions about the safety of this water pipe repair method. As such, workers are encouraged to wear thick gloves that are resistant to chemicals. Additionally, health officials, contractors and engineers involved in the water pipe repair project should be notified if employees suffer work-related illnesses or detect odors coming from the site in question.Those who suffer injuries or become ill due to unsafe conditions while on the job may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits. For example, those who become ill due to being exposed to chemicals could be eligible to receive benefits that can include the payment of medical expenses and in some cases a percentage of lost wages. An attorney can often assist with the preparation of the required claim documentation.
]]>Many people assume if they work in an office, they do not have to worry about workplace injuries as much. However, sitting at a computer for hours at a time can lead to some dangerous conditions. Be aware of how much time you are spending at your desk each day so that you can avoid damage to your musculoskeletal system.
]]> Take breaksOne of the simplest pieces of advice for avoiding these injuries is to take breaks once in a while. The recommendation is that once an hour or so, stand up from your desk and walk around. This does not have to be a long break. You can get up to get a glass of water or talk to somebody. The important thing is that you are resting your eyes and getting the blood moving.
Use good posture
As you are typing, you want to sit up straight in your chair. A specially designed ergonomic chair can help with this endeavor. Other posture tips include:
You should give your eyes a rest once in a while. Staring at the same spot at a keyboard for eyes can become exhausting, so you should look away once every 30 minutes or so and focus on something else in the room.
Beware of symptoms
If you notice certain symptoms coming on, then you need to take a break from typing immediately. Some of the signs of RSI include fatigue, tingling in hands and a lack of coordination. In the event your symptoms become so severe you require medical attention, then you may also want to schedule a consultation with a personal injury attorney you can trust.
]]>The United Kingdom's Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the American Society of Safety Engineers comprise the CSHS. The chair of the organization's board of directors called on sustainability reporting groups to work for more collaboration to improve workplace safety.
]]> The variability between companies included definitions, data collecting methods and formats for reporting. The CSHS offered suggestions for improving reporting and making it more consistent among organizations. One recommendation was that companies survey which work locations are audited by independent third parties and use occupational and safety health management systems. Another was that organizations should track safety and health throughout the supply chain. The reported cited a company that said it had no fatalities when there were 27 in its supply chain.People who suffer workplace injuries or who become ill because they are exposed to hazards on the job may be eligible for workers' compensation. This benefit can be critical in assisting workers and their families through injuries and illnesses. Injured workers may want to consult an attorney even if employers say they are not eligible or should not apply. Employers may be misinformed or may be deliberately trying to discourage an employee from applying.
]]>However, the injuries that you or someone you love sustain can affect your lives for years to come.
]]> Activities with family membersDepending on the type of injury, you may no longer be able to, say, shoot basketball or go fishing with your spouse or children. This can strain your relationship with them, and you may see even less of your loved ones.
Even simple transportation tasks can become impossibly complicated. If you used to be the one to tote your kids to soccer practice, what happens when you are no longer able to? The kids may have to quit the team, and that can affect them emotionally and socially.
Plans for the future
Your plans for at least the next year or so are likely to change, although as with many things, this depends on the type of injury. Suppose it is a head injury, and you were taking college classes part time in hopes of attaining a degree. It would lead to you moving back to another part of the country to be with your aging parents. Now you may not be able to finish college, much less afford a move. Even a best-case scenario could mean delaying your graduation and move by a few months, which can make a big difference.
No matter your age, an injury on the job has the potential to affect your future. If you are nearing retirement, you may have to adjust your grand plans to travel the world with your spouse. If you are in your 20s and it is your first day on the job, your earning power for life might decrease. You may not be able to get married and afford children as soon as you thought you would be able to.
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OSHA defines confined spaces as a space that is large enough for a construction worker to enter and that has a restricted or limited means of entry. Additionally, confined spaces are also not designed for continued occupancy. A finished basement designed for continuous occupancy would not be considered a confined space. Some confined spaces that have certain hazardous conditions present may require permits. For example, permit-required confined spaces are those that potentially have a hazardous atmosphere, contains a material that engulf or bury a person in the space, has asphyxiation hazards due to a lack of oxygen or contains a recognized health or safety hazard.
]]> The agency recommends that before any work begins, it is the responsibility of the employer to determine if the confined space may have hazardous conditions and thus requires a permit. Generally, the confined spaces normally encountered when completing residential construction work do not need permits unless there is a hazard for extreme heat in an attic.Construction work is particularly dangerous due to the number of hazards present on site. For example, a worker working in a confined space could become trapped or become exposed to hazardous conditions. If a worker suffers serious injuries that require medical care, an attorney could help the worker seek workers' compensation benefits. These could include the provision of medical care and in some cases partial wage replacement.
]]>Management and supervisor bonuses among contractors on digging projects often rely on staying on schedule and on budget. The pressure sometimes prompts project managers to cut corners. The president of an insurance and risk management company blamed careless practices on the fact that it costs more to do work safely.
]]> In some cases, negligent contractors face criminal prosecution. One company pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and manslaughter after the death of a 22-year-old worker in a trench collapse, but the only penalty the contractor paid was a $10,000 fine. Another company currently facing criminal prosecution for the death of two workers in a trench has a poor safety record. OSHA cited the contractor with 18 violations and pursued fines of $1.5 million.Most people who are injured on the job have the right to collect benefits through workers' compensation insurance maintained by the employer. The acceptance of benefits precludes the filing of a separate lawsuit against the employer. However, if it can be shown that the accident was caused by an employer's reckless disregard of workplace safety, then in some cases such an action could proceed. An attorney can provide insight into such a matter.
]]>Manufacturing companies that are serious about improving workplace safety should establish safety best practices. This includes implementing fall protection measures, such as guardrails and platforms, and creating safe maintenance guidelines for heavy equipment and machinery. To make it easier for workers adhere to safety guidelines, the procedures should be easy to follow.
]]> Safety guidelines are also more likely to be complied with if safety is one of the highest priorities of the boss and the supervisors. Owners should set the tone for the importance of safety in the workplace while supervisors should be committed to ensuring that workers follow the safety guidelines. If supervisors and bosses only focus on the productivity of the workers, the workers may let safety adherence fall to the wayside in order to keep up.According to the U.S. Department of Labor, approximately four out of every 100 workers in manufacturing plants suffer an illness or injury each year. In most cases, they are entitled to seek workers' compensation benefits that could include the payment or reimbursement of medical expenses as well as in some cases the restoration of a percentage of the wages that were lost during the recovery period. An attorney can outline the procedures and deadlines associated with filing a claim.
]]>At the start of the investigation, the university suspended the assistant coach, who has since turned himself over to law enforcement. The police report about his arrest listed the charges of felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor theft. Authorities were holding him at Clarke County Jail.
]]> As for the head coach's son, he has been charged with selling controlled substances. The university has also suspended an assistant coach for the women's tennis team, but no charges have yet been filed.A person caught up in drug investigation could talk to an attorney about the charges that are pending and the possible criminal penalties. An analysis of the evidence could give the attorney insights about how to prepare a defense. If the evidence does not appear very strong, the attorney might seek a reduction or dismissal of the charges. The option of negotiating a plea bargain with a prosecutor might also present itself. An attorney could pursue a lenient sentence in exchange for a fast resolution of the case. Should the person choose to fight the charges at a trial, an attorney could work toward building a sympathetic jury and casting doubt on the validity of evidence.
Source: USA Today, "Felony charge filed against Georgia assistant tennis coach", Kevin Spain, July 11, 2017
]]>NHTSA has been studying driver impairment trends since the 1970s. Alcohol was the primary focus of the agency's National Roadside Studies until drug screening was introduced in 2007. The results of the latest study were discussed at a meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism.
]]> Marijuana-impaired drivers present police departments with a thorny problem. Research shows that alcohol and marijuana impair drivers in different ways, and law enforcement training that is designed to help officers to identify drunk drivers may be of little use when motorists are under the influence of marijuana. While drivers who have been drinking often exceed speed limits or run red lights, motorists under the influence of marijuana tend to drive more slowly and deliberately.Experienced criminal defense attorneys may urge prosecutors to consider reducing or dropping impaired driving charges when marijuana is involved and the evidence against their client is based on toxicology testing and the observations of police officers. Defense attorneys could point out to prosecutors that THC can be detected in blood samples long after its intoxicating effects have dissipated. Prosecutors must establish proof beyond any reasonable doubt, and that may be difficult for them to accomplish in these cases without compelling scientific evidence.
]]>In the state of Washington, there were 675 teens 17 or younger who were injured on the job in 2016. Cuts, sprains and strains were among the most common injuries that were reported in that state. Nationally, younger workers are at risk of getting hurt because of unsafe machinery, a lack of training and a lack of supervision.
]]> However, the dangers workers face depend on the industry. For instance, those who work in retail may be vulnerable to getting hurt because of heavy lifting or slippery floors. Those who work outdoors may face dangers from machinery or exposure to hot weather. Young people who work as janitors or work in jobs in the agriculture industry may face hazards related to chemical exposure. Teens working office jobs may get hurt because of repetitive motion.Workers who experience on-the-job injuries may face weeks, months or years of rehab. It may take multiple surgeries, multiple medications and physical therapy to fully recover from a back, neck or joint injury. Those who have been hurt may wish to have the representation of an attorney when seeking workers' compensation benefits.
]]>According to a 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, employees who are 65 years or older are remaining in the workforce longer and are expected to be the fastest growing labor group through 2024. This is while workers between the ages of 25 and 54 are predicted to grow at a much slower pace, primarily due to fewer births and people remaining on the job longer.
]]> The statistics released by the BLS also indicate that Latinos will make up a substantial portion of the workforce. In 2011, almost 23 million Latino men and women were on the job, making up 15 percent of the workforce. They are expected to make up 19 percent of the workforce by 2020.Latino and millennial workers will find these changes difficult as they will be counted on to replace the biggest group of workers in the current workforce. Having experienced workers replaced by people with few skills will also present obstacles to employers with regard to training. It has been suggested that there will be a rise in first-year workplace accidents.
An attorney who has experience in worker's compensation law may assist workers injured in workplace accidents with obtaining the financial benefits to which they may be entitled. This may include guiding them through the filing process, helping to ensure that the claim contains all required documentation and is submitted within the time period required by law.
]]>While many may think of an injury in a mine shaft or damage caused by malfunctioning factory equipment, workers' compensation benefits can also apply to lung cancer caused by years of smoke inhalation at a bar that allowed smoking or a repetitive stress injury from many hours at the computer. The main framework for understanding a work-related injury is that it happened while a worker was carrying out some action on behalf of the employer. The injury doesn't necessarily need to have occurred on company property, just in the course of employment.
]]> Workers' compensation can relate to mental illness and injury in addition to physical illness if such injuries were sustained because of the job or while on the job. If an employee has a pre-existing condition that was worsened in the course of employment, benefits might also be available. Toxic exposure caused by working with chemicals over the years or other long-term illnesses could also be covered under workers' compensation. Claims are not based on concepts of fault or negligence, as benefits are for the most part available even if the employee was a cause of the accident that led to the injury.Filing for workers' compensation can sometimes be confusing to an injured employee. An attorney can often provide assistance in ensuring that the claim is complete and filed on a timely basis.
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