The World Health Organization estimates that 265,000 deaths are caused by burns annually, mainly occurring in the home and workplace. According to the American Burn Association, there were 486,000 burn injuries that required medical treatment in 2016. Annually, the American Burn Association estimates 3,400 U.S. burn injury deaths in the…
Yesterday afternoon, a wall collapsed at the former Wollaston Theatre in Quincy, trapping two workers under the debris. The two workers were employees of Jamie McGuinness & Sons working on a demolition when the wall collapsed. One worker, 40-years-old, was on a cherry picker and jumped down landing on the…
Construction is already one of the most dangerous jobs, and extreme weather increases the risk of serious injury or death. Ice and snow in winter pose obvious risks, but what about extreme heat? According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), more than 100 outdoor workers died as a…
Cases of faulty anchor bolts and concrete collapses are not unheard of. These materials are used in almost every Massachusetts building, tunnel, bridge, and piece of infrastructure because they can be so secure and durable. However, if improperly constructed, malfunctions can occur that can cause serious injuries or fatalities. Common…
Every seven seconds, a worker is injured in the United States. That’s 12,900 workers per day, or 4.7 million per year. And that figure is expected to climb as the country’s workforce continues to grow. Injuries are especially prevalent among younger workers who are just beginning a new job. According…
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about three million workplace injuries occur annually. Not all of these injuries are serious, but more than one-third are serious enough to result in time away from work. The BLS publishes an annual Workplace Safety Index, highlighting…
Since 1992, Stress Awareness Month has been held every April to increase public awareness about a commonly downplayed health problem. Stress can be both physical and emotional, and much of our stress is directly related to work environment. Stress can result in sleep deprivation, obesity, emotional problems, and can make…
A trench collapse that occurred Tuesday morning in Halifax is under investigation by OSHA. A 50-year-old landscaper with Evergreen Landscaping Company became trapped when the trench collapsed. Paul Brown of Plymouth, and several other workers, were inspecting a septic tank when the incident occurred. Paramedics and a rescue team, including…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration establishes rules, regulations, and standards that employers must comply with to maintain a safe working environment for employees. In addition to protecting employee safety, OSHA regulations actually help employers in many cases. For example, if an employee is injured but an OSHA investigation reveals…
Construction work slows in Massachusetts, but does not come to a stop. In major cities like Boston, many construction workers are on-the-job year round. Considering that construction is already one of the most dangerous occupations, adding the hazards of winter weather can dramatically increase the risks. In Massachusetts, snow, ice,…