Chemical Exposure in the Workplace: 5 Industries at High Risk in Central Pennsylvania
Some jobs are objectively more dangerous than others. They expose people to particularly consequential workplace hazards. Truckers are at risk of crashes on the job, while security professionals could end up injured by a criminal trying to flee the premises. Chemical exposure is a common job hazard that can cause...
The hidden dangers of asbestos: What Pennsylvania workers need to know
Some workers who handle asbestos or have done so previously downplay how dangerous it is. They think because they haven’t fallen ill that they aren’t at risk of developing a medical condition as a result of their exposure. The unfortunate reality for workers exposed to asbestos on the job is...
Warehouse workers face serious risks on the job
Warehouse workers have important jobs that help to keep the economy moving. They work to fulfill orders, which can sometimes involve heavy lifting or using machinery. These workers face serious hazards while they’re at work. The onus is on employers to ensure the workers have a safe work environment. The...
Can video footage of a work injury affect someone’s benefits?
If a Pennsylvania employee gets hurt at work, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. State law requires that employers who directly hire workers provide coverage. The Pennsylvania workers’ compensation program theoretically helps injured individuals pay for the cost of their medical treatment and cover basic living expenses while...
What if you are in a collision during your work day?
Any car accident can upend a person’s life. When a collision happens during a person’s work day, getting the financial support they need to heal could be even more complex. Thankfully, injured people may be eligible for support, including benefits through the workers’ compensation program. What should you know about...
Five slip, trip and fall hazards in the workplace
Stumbling or falling is a common accident, and many workers become injured as a result of these accidents every year. What conditions could lead to a slip, trip or fall accident in the workplace? What can create workplace slip, trip and fall hazards? You may work every day in an...
3 dangerous types of forklift accidents
In warehouse and production settings, forklifts are a key tool for employees. However, this machinery can also lead to the risk of accidents both for those operating the forklift and for those working around it. What accidents might you experience when working with or around forklifts? Rollovers When a forklift...
4 hidden workplace hazards
Many workplace hazards are immediately apparent: power tools, heavy machinery, toxic chemicals and other risks. However, other risks may go unnoticed in a workplace. What hidden workplace hazards should you be aware of? 1. Sedentary work While many might think that workers who do not perform heavy lifting, work with...
The potential risks of working around pallet racking
Pallet racking allows warehouse facilities to store more within the same floor plan by storing those objects at a height. However, it can also create risks for the people working in those warehouses. What risks should workers be aware of? Pallet racking often requires employees to work at a height....
The dangers of lung disease for construction workers
When you think about work-related injuries in the construction industry, you may immediately think of falls or accidents related to power tools and heavy equipment. However, another danger may be in the air around construction workers throughout their day. What should construction workers know about the risk of lung disease?...
Why are truckers at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders?
When many people think about the workplace injuries that truck drivers can experience, they immediately think about accidents on the road. However, truck drivers can struggle with many other work-related conditions and injuries. One surprisingly common struggle for truck drivers is musculoskeletal disorders. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health...
What steps can you take after a denied workers’ compensation claim?
When you applied for workers’ compensation after an injury, you hoped to rely on those benefits to support you and your family while you recovered. As a result, opening a denial letter can leave you uncertain about the future. Is there any way to push back against a claim denial...
4 potential risks of forklift operation
Many warehouses depend on forklifts to move and carry products and to decrease the amount of heavy lifting that employees must do. However, while forklifts may ease the risk of some injuries, they can also bring new hazards into an employee’s daily work. What risks might workers experience while operating...
Can you receive workers’ compensation after a car accident?
Workplace injuries can come in a variety of forms. Slips, trips and falls can occur in almost any setting. People working with heavy machinery may risk other injuries like electrocution. Repeated motion can create strain over time. In the United States, transportation-related injuries are common workplace accidents and are the...
What to know about suffering a back injury at work
When you work a job that requires a lot of physical labor – whether in construction, manufacturing, shipping operations or even healthcare – you likely end more than a few days with a sore back. However, what happens if your back goes out while you are at work? Or you...
Lifting injuries can put healthcare workers at risk
Nurses and doctors dedicate their careers to helping others heal. However, workplace injuries can put them in a position where they need to heal before they can continue that work, and a particularly common source of injury is lifting in the workplace. What should healthcare workers know about these injuries?...
Bezos commits to reducing injuries among Amazon workers
In recent years, Amazon has come under fire for allowing tough working conditions at the company’s warehouses. First, reports surfaced that employees had to pee in soda bottles to meet production goals. Then, workplace safety reports revealed that injury rates are higher at Amazon fulfillment centers than at other warehouses....
What if I suffer a repetitive stress injury at work?
When you work hard in construction, manufacturing or at a warehouse, you put a lot of strain on your body. Maybe after spending years working in an Amazon warehouse facility, your back aches in pain from lifting and moving so many boxes. Or if you work on an assembly line...
Amazon employs more seasonal workers in PA
Amazon recently expanded its payroll to include more than 6,000 seasonal workers across Pennsylvania to help with distribution, transportation and order shipments over the holiday season. Apparently, the expansion for seasonal workers is an initiative across the United States and Canada to keep up with the increasing demand for gift...
Medical staff still face injuries in hospitals
Healthcare workers are especially important in current times, and most of them are dedicating all their time to take care of others. It makes sense that they might put aside their own health to prioritize the wellbeing of their patients. Unfortunately, many nurses and medical professionals are at risk for...
How automation is causing more injuries for Amazon
Amazon is always verging on the cutting edge of its industry with new practices, new approaches to distribution and new ways to break into different markets. However, one of their new tactics for automation is causing problems for their warehouse employees. According to a recent report from TechCrunch, Amazon invested...
The dangers of returning to work too soon after an injury
Many warehouse workers depend greatly on their income to feed their families, maintain a roof over their heads and even fund their true passions outside the workplace. They may even rush the recovery process after an injury to return to work faster. However, there are significant consequences for rushing the...
The dangers of burnout among warehouse employees
Most warehouses and distribution centers rely heavily on their employees to meet certain goals and quotas each day. And as online shopping grows in popularity, the stakes get higher for most of these workplaces. It puts many workers in a tough position as they have to work faster, longer and...
Does a car accident on the job mean workers’ compensation?
Many occupations require employees to drive from one site to another. Whether it’s to help with distribution, lend a hand for transporting goods or just to bring you from one job site to another job area, driving can be a necessary part of your job. However, what happens if you...
Does hearing loss qualify under workers’ compensation?
Many adults experience hearing loss over time from natural causes, such as aging. Even technology is working diligently to make it easier for aging adults to address hearing disabilities early on with hearing aids, special headphones and other listening devices. However, there are ways to accelerate the healing loss process...
Four external factors that cause injuries in warehouses
Most people blame themselves when they are injured at work. They assume they mishandled equipment incorrectly or took inappropriate actions that eventually caused a risky situation. However, there are external factors on the warehouse floor that increase the likelihood of work-related injuries. It’s critical for employees to know these factors...
Watch out for scorching summer temperatures at work
Pennsylvania is known for its beautiful summers that bring along hot temperatures and humid conditions. It’s perfect for days where you are swimming at the pool, relaxing with your family or staying indoors. It’s not perfect for employees who work outdoors or in stuffy warehouses. Heat affects employees physically and...
Identifying causes for burn injuries at work
Burns are physical-damaging and emotional-draining injuries for all employees. And it’s hard to avoid burns unless you happen to be wearing the right equipment at the right time. It begs the question of how burns happen in the workplace and what employees can do in order to protect themselves from...
Three accidents that warehouse workers see daily
Most people have negative connotations with Amazon warehouses due to the countless headlines surrounding employees’ treatments and injuries across the United States. However, most people underestimate exactly how many accidents happen on the warehouse floor. Between dangerous equipment, shifting work environments and distracted co-workers, accidents happen almost every day. Some...
Specific risks for delivery drivers
Recently, delivery drivers have become critical due to their ability to deliver groceries, household commodities and other necessary goods to people and stores alike. However, with more delivery drivers on the road, it’s important to point out the potential risks that come with the position. Most drivers perform multiple duties...
Three questions to ask before returning to work
Most employees feel different types of pain after a work-related injury. They feel the physical pain from the incident itself, the emotional pain of leaving work and the financial pain of medical treatments and reduced incomes. It makes sense that many employees try to return to work as soon as...
A fall at work could lead to falling back in your career
Many employees know the risks that come with working a warehouse floor. You must be diligent about safety protocols, other staff members’ actions and potential hazards in the workplace. However, there are situations that you can’t anticipate like falls. Falls are a significant portion of worker injuries across the country....
Amazon warehouses have more injuries than industry standards
A recent investigation found Amazon warehouse employees are experiencing severe injuries, especially in the Fresno fulfillment center in California. The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates over 300 work-related injuries at one warehouse – almost triple the national warehouse industry standards. According to Lake County Record-Bee, the Fresno center...
Five largest distractions for warehouse workers
Employees in warehouses dedicated a significant amount of time each day to ensure the product is moved and distributed to the proper areas across Pennsylvania – even throughout the United States. However, warehouse workers are still susceptible to distraction like other staff members. But there are more considerable consequences if...
Dorney Park construction worker receives $2.75 million settlement
Anthony De Santos was operating a forklift at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom on April 23, 2014 to move a steel column. He used a tagline to control the forklift while he walked beside it. De Santos was pulled in front of the forklift’s wheel after a sudden stop, and...
One way to avoid falling at work may be counterintuitive
Slips, trips and falls in the workplace can be very dangerous. In 2016, 849 American workers died because of a slip, trip or fall, and many others suffered serious injuries. Because accidents like these are so serious, many people are afraid that it will happen to them. However, this fear...
What to do after a car accident on the job
Driving for work or owning a company vehicle certainly has its benefits. However, driving on the job also comes with great responsibility given the risk involved. Car accidents are unfortunately part of being on the road. When you are involved in an accident in which another driver was at fault,...
Avoiding work injury requires knowing potential hazards
Harrisburg’s top employers are the state and federal governments. But from a historical perspective, the region is known as a major logistics hub. As products ship from east to west, north to south, they often make stops here. Warehousing and storage facilities abound. Those with experience in workers’ compensation filings...
Why do self-employed workers have the highest fatality rates?
Self-employment, like any working arrangement, has its pros and cons. More freedom and independence but longer hours and irregular paychecks, for example. Another downside of self-employment often goes overlooked: the higher rate of work-related fatalities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, fatal injury rates are consistently greater among...
Company buy-in is vital regarding workplace safety
The deaths of four workers earlier this year in two separate industrial accidents in south-central Pennsylvania illustrates the dangers that many workers face on the job every day. In February, three workers died and two more injured at the Manitowoc Cranes plant on a windy day in what was reported...
New workers to the workforce suffer the highest rates of injuries
New employees are three times more likely to become injured on the job compared to those who have been on the job for more than a year, according to research from the Institute for Work & Health. While workers are settling into their new roles and becoming familiar with coworkers...
Question: What profession is more injury-prone than mining?
Hint: it’s nursing. Here is a grim statistic: Of all professions, the one with the highest rate of nonfatal occupational injuries is nursing. Worse than mining, construction, or manufacturing. [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]. Aching backs and more These are the kinds of dangers nurses face every day: Back injuries....
Deadliest jobs list includes usual suspects
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has released its yearly list of the 20 deadliest jobs in the nation. While many of the jobs on the list come as no surprise, there are some that people don’t generally consider dangerous unless they are in the industry. People expect to see...
What did you say? My job puts my hearing at risk?!
Mining, construction and manufacturing jobs place stress on your body and can lead to injury. However, working in one of these industries puts you at a higher risk for developing a commonly overlooked injury – hearing loss. Why are you not given ear protection? If hearing loss is a common...
Common injuries hospital workers face
Hospitals are hazardous places to work. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, hospitals have nearly twice the rate of employee injuries than the rest of the private sector. And, based on total days away from work, hospital workers are even more prone to injuries than those who earn...
For professional painters, the health and safety risks can’t be ignored
Painting is a critical part of many residential, commercial and industrials projects. There are upsides to earning a living as a painter: It doesn’t require expensive schooling, it offers the flexibility of being your own boss, and there’s generally no shortage of work. Yet it also comes with downsides. As...
What every construction worker should know about hand-arm vibration syndrome
Every industry, no matter the type of work, has certain limitations and potential pitfalls. Unlike a typical office job, however, the construction industry involves numerous dangers – some of which aren’t always obvious. Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) can be a very real problem for construction workers. Because it’s not often...
Injuries and fatalities on the farm
If you are a farm or agricultural worker, you are used to long hours and difficult weather conditions. Your work is physically exhausting and places intense stress on your body. On top of that, farm-related injuries and fatalities are all too common, and many job requirements are high-risk. According to...
Drivers need to share the roads with bicyclists and pedestrians
For pedestrians and bicyclists, sharing the roads with cars can be a scary undertaking. A driver’s attention may be averted from the road by talking on the phone, changing the radio station, looking at a text, talking to a passenger or any number of other distractions. When a driver fails...
Worker claims fall led to catastrophic injuries
A heating and cooling worker who was injured on the job started a lawsuit due to his injuries, but his lawyer has now decided to withdraw from the case. The lawsuit is aimed at a number of different companies and individuals. The companies involved include Kieran Cole Construction, Inc., Concept...
Workplace injuries happen far more than illnesses
Workers in Pennsylvania may have a right to compensation after workplace injuries or illnesses that arise due to conditions in the workplace, so these are often considered together when looking at compensation claim statistics. However, breaking down the numbers shows that injuries are much more common than illnesses. According to...
Should you let people move you after a workplace injury?
So you’ve suffered a workplace injury, perhaps after a fall, one of the most common ways that workers get hurt. What happens in the immediate aftermath of the injury is incredibly important. If you’re conscious, should you let people move you? There are some situations where being moved is very...
Workplace injuries don’t always happen at work
Many workplace injures happen while on the job—in a warehouse, on a construction site, or in an office building, for example. However, it is important to note that injuries don’t have to happen at a specific location to count as workplace injuries. For example, you could be hurt while driving...
Can you refuse to drive in dangerous conditions?
If you have to drive as part of your job, you may run into a situation during the winter in Pennsylvania where you just don’t feel safe being on the road. When a big snowstorm blows in and the roads are coated in ice, can you tell your employer that...
It is important not to ignore even minor office injuries
Working in an office environment seems like the safest way to earn a living. This is certainly the case most of the time, but office workers can be at risk for serious injury the same as those employed in other, more physical industries. Office injuries are more common than many...
Our firm awarded for achievements in brain injury litigation
Brain injuries received during the course of what is ordinarily a routine work assignment have a devastating effect on the worker. This is an obvious statement that most anyone can imagine. What some people do not understand is how this kind of injury creates ripples that spread to every member...
Good Samaritan Act to cover any employee providing aid
If you saw someone in need of assistance in your workplace during your working hours, would you rush to render aid? What if helping the person put you at risk of physical injury? It is probably safe to say most people would do their best to help those in need....
Choosing a doctor for Pennsylvania workplace injuries
When you suffer a workplace injury in the Harrisburg area, the workers’ compensation insurance your employer provides will likely cover any associated medical expenses. While workers’ compensation does allow injured workers to seek treatment from the doctor they desire, physician choice might be limited in some situations. The Pennsylvania Workers’...
Furniture company once again fined for poor workplace safety
Ashley Furniture Industries is once more facing a hefty fine after failing to report a workplace injury. Reportedly, a worker lost his finger this past March while working but the furniture company did not report the incident. Already the target of multiple complaints according to the news report, OSHA (Occupational...
Pennsylvania Work Zone Safety law reduces injuries and deaths
Motorists in Pennsylvania know that traveling on the state’s roads carries risks of receiving personal injuries due to accidents. Most of these motorists try to drive in as safe a manner as possible to preserve their safety. However, they must also consider the safety of other people, and this means...
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders
Occupational musculoskeletal disorders are frequently caused by ergonomic hazards in the workplace. Since the 1970s, this type of workplace injury has become an increasing problem to the nation’s workforce. Workers in Harrisburg and other Pennsylvania cities are not immune to these dangers, which can cause lengthy work absences and even...
Planning ahead reduces heat-related worker injuries
Workplaces that expose workers to extreme heat could inflict heat stress illnesses. Heat stroke presents the worst risk to Pennsylvania workers in hot conditions because it is potentially deadly. The federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration recommends that employers keep workers aware of heat illness risks and establish procedures to...
Amusement park worker hit by roller coaster
A worker at an amusement park in Pennsylvania was injured after being hit by a roller coaster on March 26. The worker was injured while a new roller coaster at Knoebels Amusement Resort was being tested. The man suffered from a broken hand and a laceration on his head when...
Fast food workers challenge workplace safety
As some Pennsylvania workers may know, fast food workers face challenges from burn injuries. Multiple complaints have been filed with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The workers contend that workplace safety is compromised due to working conditions. According to the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health’s poll of...
Pennsylvania explosion injures worker
A Feb. 15 accident has led to the injury of one worker in Derry Township. The incident reportedly occurred after 5 p.m. An explosion at a natural gas company building resulted in a fire, which apparently led to burns to the arms and face of the worker. Officials indicate that...
Modifications to machinery reduces risk for employee injuries
Pennsylvania employees who work with stone-cutting machines or rock cutters may know that the machines can potentially be dangerous or hazardous if used carelessly or incorrectly. What they may not know is that many of the machines available on the market pose serious amputation risks for the employee. The Occupational...
Worker injury and illness rates on the decline
Pennsylvania residents might be interested to learn about some of the key findings from a survey that was conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The federal agency recently announced that there were over three million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2013, according to statistics that it had compiled....
Countering amputation risks in the workplace
Pennsylvania workers know far too well that serious injuries may happen on the job. When faulty equipment or lack of safety precautions is involved, repeat accidents may be the focus of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation. This is the case with a chimney supply company in Scranton. In...
Common causes of workplace injury
Pennsylvania workplaces are fraught with the potential for serious injury, with specific causes more common in certain industries. Two of the leading causes of injury in almost every profession are stress and fatigue. Tired or stressed workers are more prone to suffering from impaired judgement and thus making mistakes that...
Understanding TBI treatment and risks
Patients in Pennsylvania who suffer traumatic brain injuries might not fully understand their injuries and the treatment and risks involved. TBIs occur when an object violently strikes the head or penetrates the cranium and passes into the brain. The symptoms that the patients experience vary depending on the severity of...
Lower back injuries are common in the workplace
Pennsylvania workers, especially those who do heavy lifting, may not be surprised to learn that lower back pain is the most common cause of injuries in the workplace. Only workers with a common cold miss more time from work than back pain sufferers. More than 1 million workers nationwide suffer...
How workers’ compensation in Pennsylvania works
Workers’ compensation protects individuals who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act provides for medical expenses, wage-loss compensation and other such expenses. Businesses are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance or to be self-insured. Nearly all workers in the state of Pennsylvania are covered. If an employer...
2012 statistics point to the 5 most dangerous jobs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 3.2 workers out of 100,000 died in workplace accidents in 2012. This means that there were 4,628 fatalities across all occupations that year, which is on the low end of the yearly average 4,500 to 6,500. Some workers in Pennsylvania may be surprised...
Pennsylvania railroad worker files claim against employer
The Federal Employers’ Liability Act, passed in 1908 by the U.S. Congress, exists to protect and assist railroad workers who are injured on the job. A resident of Levittown has filed suit in connection with his workplace injury, claiming that his company failed to provide a safe workplace. The man...
Study: More than 50,000 preventable workplace deaths last year
Pennsylvania residents might be disturbed by a recent report published by the National Council on Occupational Safety and Health, which claimed that more than 50,000 people died in workplace-related injuries and illnesses in 2013. Among these deaths, said the report, was that of a 27-year-old camera assistant working on the...
Flash fire severely burns Pennsylvania worker
A flash fire at an east Erie industrial plant burned a maintenance worker on the afternoon of March 4. Emergency personnel transported the worker to a local medical center for treatment. He was later transferred to a Pittsburgh hospital burn unit where he has been listed in critical condition. No...
One missing, one injured following explosion at natural gas well
An explosion at a natural gas well in southwestern Pennsylvania has left one worker injured and another one missing. The well, owned by Chevron, is about 50-miles south of Pittsburgh, near the West Virginia border. A company spokesman said that an explosion occurred at about 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb....
Punitive damages sought after Pennsylvania worker’s death
A judge is allowing a claim for punitive damages to proceed for a widow who is suing a ladder manufacturer and the city of Philadelphia for the death of her husband. The woman claims that a defective ladder caused her husband’s workplace injury and eventual death. On Aug. 15, 2012,...
Pennsylvania resident wins workers’ compensation appeal
A Westmoreland resident recently won an appeal in Commonwealth Court to receive workers’ compensation benefits. The appellant worked as a caregiver for her 33-year-old son for nine months in her home. Her son had myriad significant health issues that qualified him to receive care in a private residence under a...
Liquor store worker injured on the job by pistol-whipping robber
A female Pennsylvania liquor store employee was pistol-whipped by a black-clad robber, and the attack was caught on store video surveillance footage, according to police. The mid-morning robbery that left the worker injured on the job started when a man pulled out a gun as soon as he entered the...
Temporary workers have little protection
Pennsylvania workers may be surprised to learn that temporary workers make up approximately 2.8 percent of the workforce, and they have little or no protection when they are hurt at work. These workers are often told to report any workplace injuries to the temporary-labor companies that placed them, but these...
OSHA suggests public database on workplace safety
The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration has suggested that some workplaces in Pennsylvania and across the nation be required to put their records of injuries and sicknesses online once every three months. The information would be public and available in a database. OSHA believes that mandatory reporting will hold...
OSHA encourages safety for the holiday shopping season
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a list of safety guidelines for retail stores in Pennsylvania and nationwide in preparation for the shopping season. The assistant secretary of labor for the organization stated that the holiday season should not be a reason for workers to be at...
Common causes of Pennsylvania worker accidents
There are a wide variety of reasons that workplace accidents occur, many of which are preventable. When organizations are proactive about ensuring the safety of their employees, a workplace injury is less likely to occur. Some of the most common causes of accidents are wet floors, hazardous materials and unsecured...
Preliminary objections overruled in workplace injury case
A Pennsylvania judge has overruled a defendant’s preliminary objections to being named in a joinder complaint to an initial workplace injury case. The judge stated that the defendant had 20 days from the judicial order to file a response to the suit. An employee of the defendant who was working...
Chemical leak in Pennsylvania business sends one to hospital
One person was sent to the hospital and several homes and businesses were evacuated after a chemical leak at a Pennsylvania business occurred. The report did not indicate what the chemical was but authorities stated that it posed no threat to the public. According to the report, the evacuation occurred...
Pennsylvania nearly worst in U.S. for work injury numbers
A study shows that rate of workplace injury and illness varies between U.S. states. Social Security Disability Insurance provider Allsup said that workers even in the same industry saw a different number of people getting sick or injured on the job depending on what state they worked in. Maine ranked...
Worker crushed in Pennsylvania mining accident
Pennsylvania and federal authorities are investigating an accident at a Greene County coal mine that sent one worker to the hospital. A 35-year-old contractor was injured on the job when an empty rock dust platform fell off its supply car and landed on him, crushing him below the waist. The...
Injured Pennsylvania worker’s lawsuit moves through courts
A Pennsylvania man’s lawsuit for compensation for workplace injuries is headed back to state court after a recent ruling by a federal judge. The injured man’s lawyers had sought the return of his lawsuit to the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court because complete diversity was not present. While granting the victim’s...
Lawsuit gaining momentum following building collapse
A lawsuit filed against a Philadelphia contractor involved in a recent building collapse has been picking up steam as the rescue operation slows down. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a Salvation Army worker who was buried under rubble when a building wall being torn down next door collapsed...
On-the-job deaths exceed 50,000 per year
The AFL-CIO released a report at the beginning of May that indicated about 13 people died on the job each day in 2011. In addition, work-related illnesses claimed the lives about 137 individuals per day during the same year. The number of fatalities on the job initially declined after the...
Fracking jobs may increase lung cancer risk
People in Pennsylvania have been hearing about the environmental dangers of fracking for some time, but few realize that the danger for workers is not limited to eco-damage. A dangerous type of workplace injury in fracking operations is the penetration of lung tissue by fine sand particles called silica. This...
Fracking industry brings silicone exposure to the forefront
One workplace safety expert recently observed fracking in person and saw huge amounts of silica dust swirling in the air around workers. The silica is a result of workers drilling into the rock with a combination of water, chemicals and sand to extract oil and gas. Sand and silica have...
OSHA sets rules to inspire safer workplace for railroad workers
The tune of “I’ve been working on the railroad” makes working for a railway sound like a joyful, carefree time. Just like any job, however, the industry comes with its particular workplace safety threats. Just like any industry, its workers have the right to report job-related injuries and unsafe work...
OSHA: Pennsylvania hospital workers need violence protection, too
When dealing with persons who are vulnerable, such those who are physically or mentally ill or developmentally disabled, it is natural for caregivers put their well-being ahead of their own. However, there can be times when the efforts made to keep these populations safe may put those caregivers in danger...
Speedy movements can make the medical workplace dangerous
A heightened sense of urgency coupled with an innate desire to treat needy patients puts medical facility staff in constant physical jeopardy. Healthcare venues typically possess extremely hard floors constructed with materials designed to decrease any allowance for infectious diseases to take hold. Yet, these very same surfaces cause many...
Better workplace injury protection proposed for flight attendants
In a draft agreement, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration have agreed to expand the workplace protections for flight attendants. Under current law, the FAA has jurisdiction to enforce workplace health and safety protections for flight attendants, but airline unions have been fighting to change...
Returning to work after injury or illness: Be prepared
When you have taken a leave of absence from your job due to illness or injury, the prospect of returning to work can be both excited and frustrating. Chances are that you are still recovering from whatever workplace accident, illness or other circumstance led you to take a leave of...
Dangerous U.S. jobs of 2011 might surprise you
Every year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases a report on illness and injuries in workplaces across the country. The information is interesting, but is also important because it helps industry and safety officials determining which workplaces could possibly use more safety regulations. The data from 2011 reveals a list...
Work-related illness hits Pennsylvania workers in store warehouse
Trader Joe’s grocery stores are a hit in Pennsylvania and in other areas across the nation. As average consumers, many of us forget the work that goes into stocking the stores we love with the products that we love. There are workers at different levels who are responsible for getting...
Is your work giving you a repetitive motion disorder?
You may have never heard the term “repetitive motion disorder” before, but it is very possible that you have felt its effects. Repetitive motion disorders (RMDs) are found most commonly in people who work doing repetitive tasks or motions. These may include assembly line workers, musicians, and people who spend long...
Most deadly professions involve driving
When people are asked to think about the most dangerous jobs they might think about jobs like firefighters or those that involve heavy machinery. Although those professions do have risks, it turns out that more sales reps and truck drivers are killed while working. This is because sales reps that...
Nationwide Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness Among Outdoor Workers
For large areas of the U.S., this summer has been one of the hottest on record. Many workers are able to cool off in air-conditioned offices, but for those who work outdoors there is no relief from the sweltering heat. In an effort to prevent heat illness among workers, the...
Pennsylvania Workers Overexposed to Lead and Silver Metal
Earlier this month the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a release detailing citations against Heraeus Materials Technology LLC for exposing workers to dangerous levels of silver and lead. The company’s West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania facility was cited for five violations, and proposed penalties total over $45,000. Heraus Materials Technology...
National Safety Month Highlights Working Ergonomically
June is National Safety Month, and during the week of June 10th through the 16th the National Safety Council is focusing on the issue of working ergonomically. Ergonomics involves making sure a person’s work environment and equipment appropriately fits their body. It is important both to create a comfortable work...
Workplace Injury Rates Decline After OSHA Inspections
Some may wonder whether the inspections conducted by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) actually have a lasting impact on workplace safety. A recent study dealing with Pennsylvania manufactures seems to indicate that they do. The study by the Rand Corporation found that those inspections among manufacturers, which took...
Pennsylvania Company Cited for 15 Violations After Worker’s Arm Amputated
Employers are required by law to provide a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for ensuring employers abide by those regulations. In November 2011, an employee’s arm was amputated below the elbow by a machine at Bazzini Holdings LLC, a...
Workers’ Memorial Day Activities in Pennsylvania
This Saturday marks Workers’ Memorial Day, honoring workers killed or injured on the job. A variety of events will be taking place in Pennsylvania and across the nation, including wreath presentations, candlelight vigils and programs recognizing those men and women killed while working during the past year. Workers’ Memorial Day...
Warehouse Workers Voice Concerns About Workplace Safety
When you order something from Amazon you probably don’t think about all the people involved in getting the merchandise to your front door. Over 15,000 Amazon employees work in warehouses called “fulfillment centers.” In several of these fulfillment centers employees have raised safety concerns about the working conditions, and questioned...
Pennsylvania workers at risk of injury during holiday shopping season
Getting injured at work can make life difficult. The injury itself can cause a worker a lot of pain and suffering, even during the recovery process. And though the medical expenses can be overwhelming, people injured at work can seek workers’ compensation benefits to help with those expenses. Work injuries...
Pennsylvania warehouse workers suffer injuries at Amazon warehouse
For a number of workers in Pennsylvania, their working environment left them with symptoms that included light-headedness, cramped legs, and dehydration. These workers were employed at the Amazon warehouse in Lehigh Valley. Workers who are injured on the job often find themselves with increasing financial challenges. In some instances, whether...
Pennsylvania building collapse leaves three workers injured
Investigations are under way by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration at the scene of a building collapse that occurred Monday in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and resulted in three work injuries. Suffering an injury on-the-job can lead to a number of challenges for the injured worker. Not only are there...
Pennsylvania construction worker killed after wall collapse
Workers injured in a work-related accident are often faced with a number of problems like medical expenses and lost wages. But fortunately they can seek workers’ compensation benefits that often help alleviate the financial challenges that can arise with an unexpected injury. But when a worker is killed in a...
Pennsylvania man killed in trench collapse; OSHA to investigate
When an employee goes to work, there should be little to no fear of a workplace accident occurring. There are federal safety standards that employers must adhere to in order to prevent or minimize the risk of injuries to workers. One Pennsylvania excavating company had been fined by the Occupational...
Accurate logs of workplace injuries help workers attain benefits
When a worker is injured on-the-job, the injury itself is frustrating enough. But workers also have to consider the implications of being unable to work until they have recovered. During that time, the worker may experience some financial challenges due to lost wages and the medical bills. Injured workers can...
OSHA raises concerns regarding work-related heat illnesses
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration has released new education and emergency response initiatives for workers who perform jobs outdoors in high temperatures for extended periods of time. Coming out just ahead of the hottest time of year, the government outreach effort is geared toward at-risk workers and their employers...
Pennsylvania gas company worker struck in face
When a worker suffers a work-related injury, a number of challenges can arise. Physically, a worker may be unable to perform job functions while recovering from the injury. In those situations, finances can become tight as the cost of medications and treatments grow. Workers who are hurt in a work...
Pennsylvania workers exposed to high levels of lead
In most instances, employees who have been injured on-the-job are entitled to workers’ compensation. It is important to notify a supervisor or employer if an injury occurs in the workplace. This is helpful, especially since injuries can become worse over time. Some injuries are fairly obvious, such as a broken bone...
Worker Injured and Three Killed in Plant Explosion
Previous incidents involving metal dust explosions at chemical plants in Pennsylvania have been investigated by the Chemical Safety Board (CSB). Recently, an explosion at a similar chemical plant in a neighboring state left three dead and another seriously injured in a workplace accident. According to the article, there is little...
Settlement Reached in Lawsuit for 9/11 Workers Injured on Site
Tragedy became history on September 11, 2001 when two commercial airplanes were hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center towers. Many people were killed in the plane crashes and building collapses that day. The numbers of construction workers, police officers, firefighters and rescuers that responded, worked to free people...