Improper storage and handling of hazardous materials in the workplace pose significant injury risks from fires, explosions, and contamination to employees.
Dangerous workplace walkways can cause slip, trip, or fall accidents that leave workers severely injured and unable to work. Walkways without proper slip resistance and safety guardrails account for the highest slip and fall incident rates for construction and industrial workers.
Proper housekeeping is vital to maintaining a safe work environment and following a few simple tips can help prevent workplace accidents. While existing OSHA standards do increase workplace safety, more work is necessary to keep employees safe. Employers and employees still need to be vigilant with their housekeeping practices in the workplace.
Combustible dust from wood, metal, plastics, coal, biosolids, and organic materials can create an explosion under certain workplace conditions.
Employee incentive programs designed to encourage safety in the workplace can also discourage employees from reporting injuries or illnesses, and OSHA has recently finalized a ruling that will help prevent this problem. In the final ruling, OSHA prohibits any type of discrimination against employees who report injuries or illnesses, including discrimination that occurs through these incentive programs.
The size and power of earthmoving equipment used in construction mean that accidents involving these pieces of equipment are almost always fatal. Construction workers need to understand this risk in order to protect themselves on the job site. Families of construction workers need to understand their rights if they lose a loved one due to an earth moving equipment accident.
Fentanyl and its analogues are powerful opiods that create a serious problem for medical professionals and first responders who are exposed to the drugs when responding to incidents or treating patients. First responders who encounter illegal manufacturing of fentanyl and its analogues are at risk of toxic exposures, as are medical providers who treat patients who have been using the drug.
One of the most important pieces of advice I give to my personal injury and workers’ compensation clients is that they MUST steer clear of posting anything on their social media accounts. This includes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. They should not post images of a car accident or their injuries.
Fear of retaliation is the main reason workplace injuries are under-reported by workers in the United States, but employees have the right to report accidents that occur at work without worrying about any repercussions that might follow.