January 4, 2017

Weather-Related Work Injuries During the Winter

Working in the elements has special risks during every season, but Massachusetts winters can be especially challenging. If you work outside for at least part of the day, it’s crucial to utilize safe practices at all times. The information below addresses some of the most common winter weather-related work injuries and how to avoid them. If you’ve been injured in a work-related accident, it’s important that you know what benefits that are available to you immediately and in the long term.

Slip and Fall Accidents

When ice, snow, and freezing rain are a daily occurrence, it’s especially important to take precautions in the workplace. In addition to slippery walkways and parking lots outside, workers can track snow and slush into buildings, resulting in indoor puddles and the potential for slip and fall accidents. Follow the steps below to reduce the risk of weather-related falls at work:

Put salt on icy walkways and parking lots and keep them as clear of snow as possible.
Inside each doorway, place a non-skid mat to absorb excess snow and slush.
When any area becomes slippery – whether inside due to tracked snow or a spill, or outside due to ice or slush – place cones around the hazardous area.

Back Injuries

Whether they are due to excessive shoveling, lifting heavy construction equipment, or slipping on an icy or wet surface, back injuries are common among workers who are forced to brave the winter elements. The most common winter weather-related back injuries include sprains and strains, fractures, overexertion injuries, and lacerations. To reduce the risk of back injuries at work, follow the tips below:

Take frequent breaks when shoveling or lifting heavy objects on the job.
Stretch for several minutes to warm up your muscles.
Employers should provide shovels specially designed to reduce back strain.

Cold Weather-Related Injuries

Being outside in below freezing temperatures for extended periods of time can result in serious – even fatal – complications. Hypothermia, frostbite, and cold stress can wreak havoc on the healthiest, toughest workers. Dampness and wind can amplify the dangerous effects of cold weather, and it doesn’t even have to be freezing outside; frostbite and hypothermia can sneak up on you. To prevent dangerous cold weather-related conditions:

All workers should be trained on how to protect themselves from temperature-related injuries.
When temperatures are low, workers should take frequent breaks in a warm environment to get their internal temperature back to normal.
Workers should drink warm drinks throughout the day, such as hot tea, coffee, or hot apple cider.

Work injuries are an unfortunate reality, but we can take steps to dramatically reduce our risk of serious injuries and death on the job. Although all jobs carry some risk, certain occupations – such as construction and roofing, farming and logging, corrections and law enforcement – carry a disproportionately higher risk. In 2015, there were nearly three million reported nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you have been injured at work, contact a MA workers’ compensation lawyer today. Continue reading

December 15, 2016

Top 10 OSHA Violations

by Altman & Altman

Every year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) releases a report of the 10 most commonly cited violations for that year. The agency obtains this data from the tens of thousands of workplace inspections it conducts annually. Interestingly, the list remains fairly constant from year to year. Read on for more information about OSHA’s top ten safety and health violations and how you can avoid becoming a statistic in a serious, or fatal, workplace accident.

More than 4,500 workers are killed in a work-related accident annually, and about three million are injured. These numbers are staggering, especially considering that employers are responsible, by law, to provide and maintain safe work environments. The top 10 violations below contribute to the majority of these injuries and fatalities. If you have been injured on the job, contact a Boston work injury lawyer today.

Fall protection: Falls are the leading cause of work-related deaths in the United States, and most of these occur in the construction industry. Without proper protection, such as harnesses and anchors, fall-related deaths increase significantly.

Hazard communication: When hazardous chemicals are present, workers have a need and a right to know. Hazard communication refers to the process of identifying hazardous substances, notifying workers of the presence of hazardous substances, and informing workers of protective measures necessary to avoid injury or death when working with, or near, said hazardous substances.

Scaffolds: Scaffold violations are often a contributing factor in fatal falls. Considering that about 65 percent of the construction industry works on scaffolds, preventing scaffold violations would dramatically reduce annual injuries and deaths in this industry.

Respiratory protection: Exposure to asbestos, chemicals, and other toxic substances can result in long term health problems. Sudden chemical spills can even cause immediate death. Proper respiratory protection is essential to prevent long-term damage and sudden death in an emergency situation. Unfortunately, lack of adequate respiratory protection is one of the most commonly cited OSHA violations.

Lockout / tagout: These violations often result in gruesome injuries and deaths from machines that start up suddenly. Lockout / tagout refers to the process of turning machines off and ensuring they can’t be turned back on while being worked on.

Powered industrial trucks: Forklifts and powered industrial trucks are responsible for significant injuries and deaths every year. In nearly all fatal cases involving one of these machines, workers were not properly trained on safe operation, or other OSHA violations were a factor.

Ladders: Ladder violations often contribute to fall injuries and deaths.

Machine guarding: Similar to lockout / tagout, machine guarding refers to the installation of machine guards to protect arms, hands, legs, and feet from injury, amputation, or worse. Failure to properly guard machines is a common OSHA violation.

Electrical wiring: It isn’t difficult to understand why electrical violations can spell disaster. Electrocution can be immediately deadly. Therefore, proper precautions and safety training are essential for jobs involving electrical work.

Electrical, general: Ditto, above.

Most of the above violations occur in the construction industry. Unfortunately construction is an inherently dangerous field. However, risks and hazards can be dramatically reduced, along with your risk of serious injury and death, when OSHA regulations and standards are followed. If you notice an on-the-job hazard, report it to your supervisor immediately. If your supervisor doesn’t promptly respond to your concerns, you can always contact OSHA. If you have been injured in a work-related accident, contact a Boston work injury lawyer today. Continue reading

November 22, 2016

Boston Mayor calls for new regulations after negligent company leads to deaths

by Altman & Altman

Mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh, is calling for more stringent regulations regarding construction companies getting bids to perform work in the Massachusetts metropolitan center in the wake of two construction workers being killed while conducting routine work in a trench in October. The two workers were killed after a water main break flooded the trench with water and debris and were unable to escape. An initial investigation revealed that the trench was not safeguarded against potentially catastrophic cave-ins or collapses because the contractor did not implement the use of a “trench wall,” which braces against both sides of the trench during work.

Subsequent investigations by WGBH showed that the construction contractor, Atlantic Drain Services (based out of Roslindale, MA), had been cited 13 times by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the past five years, including a citation for placing its workers underground without the proper safety and rescue precautions in place.

The tragic incident has led to outrage over the fact that Atlantic Drain Services was given the bid for construction despite their checkered past with safety violations, which are a part of the public record and available to anybody who requests the data. It is indeed alarming that city officials would not check out such a history before awarding a construction bid for potentially dangerous work. The incident is still being investigated by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and OSHA itself, and it is likely that serious fines will be levies onto Atlantic Drain Services for their negligent and ultimately deadly failings to provide a safe work environment for their employees.

Construction work requires exceedingly careful precautions

Construction work is consistently amongst the most dangerous work for American employees, causing 899 deaths in 2014. About 70 of those deaths happened as a direct result of trench work, which often puts workers in toxic, cramped, and potentially deadly environments where cave-ins, electrocution, and respiratory arrest is a common threat to safety. OSHA has a lengthy list of regulations regarding trench work. Regulations include ensuring that the trench is properly protected against cave-ins by using various methods, that a competent supervisor watches all activity to ensure proper protocols are being used, and that there are rescue measures at the ready to save any workers who are suddenly put in danger.

In the case of the two Boston workers who perished, their deaths are on the hands of multiple parties, including the Boston officials who allowed Atlantic Drain Services to obtain the construction bid and the decision-making entities of the construction company who allowed the work to move forward despite proper safety precautions to not be in place.

Hold negligent construction firms accountable

New and serious regulations are absolutely an essential part to prevent future tragedies such as the one that occurred in October. The other part is to hold any firms who don’t take safety measures seriously enough accountable for their negligence. The construction contractor is completely liable for any legal suits that come their way as the result of the deaths of two of their workers. A worker death does not just affect the deceased, but also any and all members of their families who depend on their income. The emotional trauma is bad enough without having to worry about how the money that they used to make will be replaced, if it can be at all. Continue reading

November 21, 2016

Massachusetts worker dies in trench accident

by Altman & Altman

Another Massachusetts construction worker has passed away following an accident during routine trench work in Duxbury, MA when a power saw kicked back and made lethal contact with his throat. The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office does not suspect foul play, and the incident is under investigation now by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to determine what caused the saw to become “bound” and subsequently injure the worker.

The tragic accident occurred during routine trench work on Saturday, Nov. 19 in Duxbury when workers were excavating an underground water line. At least one other worker was involved in the activity but was not harmed.

Trench work is dangerous work

This event, and an incident in October that claimed the lives of two workers in Boston, puts an unfortunate emphasis on how dangerous construction work – and work in trenches, specifically – truly is. In 2014, 899 construction workers died while working on the job, and about 70 construction workers die each year from accidents involving trenches. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines a trench as “a narrow underground excavation that is deeper than it is wide, and is no wider than 15 feet.” This means that some trenches can be much deeper than 15 feet, which poses a serious risk of fatal falls in, addition to the most common form of trench work deaths – cave-ins.

There are many health regulations put in place by OSHA and state agencies that regulate trench work, including always securing each side of the wall, providing fall protection, designing protective measures such as properly sloping at least one wall of the trench in the event workers have to get out quickly. Additionally, foremen and workers on site must always be aware of changing conditions in the trench and in the surrounding soil. They must also be aware of any seismic activity, even from something as simple as traffic passing nearby.

Of course, in accidents such as this most recent and unfortunate one in Duxbury, no amount of cave-in prevention can prevent a tragic death involving a power saw. It is cases like these that must prompt construction companies to learn how to better protect their workers from each of the unique dangers that exist on a job site. Trenches are tight quarters to work in, so there should always be additional precautions when working with dangerous power tools. Continue reading

November 9, 2016

Know your workers’ compensation rights in Massachusetts

by Altman & Altman

The workplace is the backbone of American society and where millions of Americans earn their livings. Unfortunately, many careers and employers subject their workers to dangerous environments, tools of trade and procedures in order to get work done. It can be as simple as a fall from a platform during construction, or something more complex like developing tinnitus after frequenting a loud work environment with inadequate or deficient ear protection. Regardless of the type of injury or severity, as a worker, you have rights.

Workers’ compensation is right to continue earning money despite being unable to perform your work duties. Employees and their loved ones have the right to workman’s compensation for injuries sustained while on the job that cause death, partial or total disability, and disfigurement or loss of function (such as permanent scars). In Massachusetts, workers are entitled to 60% of their weekly wage in disability payments.

Expectation of safety

In addition to providing proper compensation for workers injured while on the job, employers – big or small – are required to upkeep a safe working environment and to implement adequate safety protocols when performing dangerous work is unavoidable. Overseen and enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Labor, these strictly-enforced regulations help ensure that employers keep the safety of their employees paramount, and do everything possible to prevent avoidable deaths on the job site.

A recent example of negligence leading to a serious work injury happened on Oct. 31 in Wareham. An employee for HiWay Safety Systems was trapped between a docking bay and the bumper of a tractor trailer truck, causing severe head trauma and his eventual death. The incident has since been labeled as a tragic, avoidable death by the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety & Health (MassCOSH). The victim left behind a wife and two sons, who will have to deal with the emotional turmoil and financial distress of losing a husband, a father, and a breadwinner. The tragic event is now under investigation by OSHA, state, and local authorities.

It should be known that any worker asked to perform a duty that can be reasonably, in good faith, seen as overly hazardous maintains the right to refuse that work. In such a situation, employees should alert their employers of their concern and either ask for different work or ask that the hazards be adequately corrected. If the hazard is not corrected or the employer threatens retaliatory action for not performing the work, the employer should contact OSHA immediately. The worker would also have the right to legal representation. Continue reading

November 3, 2016

How Long Do I Have to Wait for Workers’ Comp Benefits After My Work Injury?

by Altman & Altman

If you’ve been injured on the job, you’re probably wondering if you’ll be eligible for workers’ compensation and when those payments will begin. Missing even one week of work can be financially devastating for some people. Although workers’ comp is there to protect workers from catastrophic losses following a work-related injury, benefits may not begin for weeks following the injury. In some cases, benefits are delayed for months due to application errors and missing information. Contact a Boston workers’ compensation lawyer to ensure you get the benefits you deserve in a timely manner.

Workers’ Comp Timeline

All workers’ comp cases are unique, but the timeline below will give you a general idea of what to expect after filing a claim for workers’ comp.

The injury: This is when the workers’ comp timeline officially begins. The first step is to seek medical attention for your injury. Don’t avoid this step because you can’t afford medical treatment. Without medical evidence, your chance of a successful claim is limited.

Report the injury to your employer: Do this verbally and in writing, and keep a copy of the written report for your personal records. At this point, your employer should provide you with a claim form. Fill out the claim form in its entirety and file it immediately.

The employer notifies their insurance company: Once you’ve returned the claim form to your employer, they must notify the insurance company of the claim. This will begin the process of arranging medical care and compensation for you.

The insurer accepts or denies your claim: The insurance company has 30 days to notify you of its decision. Payments should begin almost immediately following the approval. If your claim is denied, however, you have the option of requesting a hearing to review the insurer’s decision. This is a time sensitive request; you typically have about 60 days after receiving a denial to request a review. The hearing date will generally occur within 30 days of your request, and the hearing officer will make a final decision within 15 days of that hearing.

As you can see, workers’ compensation benefits can be delayed for an extended period of time due to various circumstances. Some of these situations can be avoided with proper planning and attention to detail, other situations require the assistance of an attorney experienced in this complex area of the law. Contact a Boston work injury lawyer today. Continue reading

October 25, 2016

Over 100 Hospitalized in Workplace Chemical Spill

by Altman & Altman

Last week, an accidental chemical spill released toxic gases at a food and beverage manufacturer based in Kansas. The mixture of sulfuric acid and sodium hypochlorite sent more than 100 people to the hospital. Fortunately, none of the injuries were life-threatening. However, two workers were hospitalized due to their injuries.

MGP Ingredients, the manufacturing company responsible for the spill, immediately reported the accident to the EPA. So far, the manufacturer has been cooperating with the investigation and is taking additional precautions by hiring experts to assess their current situation. MGP’s cooperation does not, however, absolve them from any wrongdoing. In this particular case, many workers were harmed. Those workers may have potential claims and lawsuits against MGP. The extent of those claims will vary widely, based on severity of injuries, time off work, and emotional distress.

Symptoms of Toxic Gas Exposure

Exposure to toxic gases is a common hazard in manufacturing plants. Although most incidents are not fatal, exposure to certain toxins can be deadly. When the air we breathe is compromised by the release of dangerous chemicals, health problems can be immediately present, or they can develop over long periods of time. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma or COPD will likely experience more severe symptoms. Common symptoms of exposure to toxic chemicals include:

Trouble breathing, shortness of breath
Dizziness, light-headedness, or faintness
Sudden headache, or prolonged headache that won’t go away
Nausea and vomiting

Of course, all of the above symptoms can be mild or severe, and they can all be related to something other than exposure to toxic chemicals. If, however, you work in a manufacturing or chemical plant and you develop any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. More serious complications from chemical spills include blindness, burns, corneal scarring, cancer, organ failure, neurological disorders, respiratory disorders, and death. If you’ve been harmed on-the-job, contact a Massachusetts work injury lawyer today.

Common Causes of Chemical Spills

Chemical spills can occur for numerous reasons. Some of the most common include:

Improper storage of chemicals
Unsafe handling of chemicals
Ruptures of chemical storage tanks
Improper disposal of chemicals
Failure to comply with regulations set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

If you work in a manufacturing or chemical plant and notice any of the above hazards, report the problem to a supervisor immediately. If the supervisor does not respond to your concerns right away, contact a Boston workers’ compensation attorney today. Serious chemical spills can affect the environment as well, polluting air, nearby lakes, fish populations, and local water sources. Continue reading

October 21, 2016

Workers’ compensation benefits in Massachusetts, is a right, not a privilege

by Altman & Altman

Some of the most important jobs that bolster our economy and continue our growth here in Massachusetts and across the country also happen to be the most dangerous. Construction workers, line workers, industrial engineers, miners, farmers, and a thousand different variants of manual laborers all put their bodies into harm’s way in order to perform their important duties and make money for them and their loved ones. Getting injured while on the job is an unavoidable part of working in a dangerous field. Despite being careful, and despite long lists of safety regulations that are required for employers to follow, accidents will happen. When they do, having mandatory workers’ compensation programs is what separates the United States from less-developed nations, where injured workers may simply be on their own financially.

Employers are required to offer workers’ compensation, and for good reason. If someone is unable to work and collect a paycheck due to an injury sustained at work, that place of employment should take responsibility and step up to help their employee. It’s not just a sign of good faith and morals, it’s the law.

Mucking the gears of workers’ compensation is wrong

October 6, 2016

Boston Seafood Company Sued Following Worker’s Death

by Altman & Altman

Stavis Seafood received 20 safety violations Friday, several months after the death of one of its workers. Brian Caron, a Peabody man and father of two, was fatally injured by an ammonia leak at Stavis’ South Boston plant. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the accident was caused by improper design, operation and maintenance of ammonia equipment. Due to these safety violations, Caron and other employees were exposed to a deadly amount of ammonia.

The fatal accident occurred on March 23 when a pipe on the plant’s second floor burst, sending toxic fumes into the work area. According to a statement released by OSHA, the seafood company failed to properly label ammonia piping, properly ventilate the building to prevent the risk of explosion caused by an ammonia leak, routinely inspect pressure canisters, test ammonia sensors, and ensure that ammonia was properly contained at all times. If you are concerned that your work environment is unsafe, contact a Massachusetts work injury lawyer today.

Stavis Seafood Facing $173,168 in Fines

The OSHA investigation has found that the machine room where workers were stationed and the storage room used to store ammonia were not properly separated. In addition to the lack of a door to separate the two rooms, there were also large holes in the plant’s floor. “The company’s failure to follow industry and OSHA standards exposed its employees to the hazards of an ammonia release as well as falls, electric shock, hazardous chemicals and delayed or obstructed exit from the facility during a leak or other emergency,” reported James Mulligan, OSHA’s acting area director for Boston and southeastern Massachusetts. “It’s clear that Stavis Seafoods must take effective action to correct these hazards and prevent their recurrence so that no other employees are harmed on the job.” And the violations don’t stop there. Stavis was also cited for improper chemical storage and labeling, multiple electrical hazards, and infrastructure issues. As a result, Stavis is facing OSHA-proposed fines of up to $173,168.

Types of Chemical Exposure and Associated Injuries

Chemical-related work injuries can be extremely harmful, even deadly. Ammonia isn’t the only dangerous workplace chemical. Others include benzene, mercury, pesticides, solvents, lead, acids, and paint. Injuries can be suffered due to contact with the skin, inhalation of toxic fumes, and even accidental ingestion. Injuries due to work-related chemical exposure include burns to the skin, eyes, lung or throat, and rashes. Chemical exposure can also cause neurological damage, including nerve damage and brain injuries. Although excessive inhalation is most often linked to brain damage, even skin exposure can have neurological consequences. If you have been harmed on-the-job due to the inhalation of toxic fumes, contact a MA injury lawyer today. Continue reading

October 6, 2016

Construction “High Season” Isn’t Over Yet in Massachusetts

by Altman & Altman

The temperatures might be getting cooler, but it’s still high season for construction work. In fact, with winter weather quickly approaching, many construction projects are kicking into high gear. Construction remains one of the most dangerous industries in the country, but you can dramatically reduce the risk of serious injury and death by utilizing safe practices at all times. It is an employer’s duty to provide a safe work environment. If your employer is failing to do so, discuss your concerns with them. If they refuse to take action, contact a Boston work injury lawyer to discuss your options.

Avoid the most common, and dangerous, construction-related accidents by following the safety tips below.

Construction Safety Tips

Hold routine safety meetings. Depending on the nature of your work, routine can mean weekly or daily. Avoid making safety information too general. The information should be practical and job-specific.

Ensure that workers on the ground are always wearing highly-visible clothing. The brighter, the better.

Hydration is important, even in cooler months. When properly hydrated, we are more alert and have better focus and concentration. Energy drinks and sugary sodas are not a substitute for healthy beverages, such as water, citrus drinks and electrolyte-rich Gatorade.

Don’t let the crisp fall weather fool you; direct sunlight can still be dangerous. If you’re outside all day, exposed skin should be protected. Use sunblock, wide brim hats, long-sleeved shirts, nape protectors, and umbrellas when necessary. In addition to being dangerous, too much sun exposure can also cause fatigue.

Use extra caution during night work. The graveyard shift can be especially dangerous when heavy machinery is involved. Humans are naturally predisposed to lose alertness when the clock strikes twelve. And night crews on road-construction projects have an even greater risk; drunk and fatigued drivers on the road can be deadly. High-visibility gear and reflective fabric and equipment is essential for night work. Vehicle warning strobes and police presence can dramatically reduce the risk of deadly accidents. Make sure adequate buffer zones and cones are in place, and equip spotters with air horns and whistles. If you’ve been injured while doing night work or any other construction-related activity, contact a Boston work injury lawyer today.

Drive and park defensively. All vehicles should be equipped with daytime running lights. When it comes to “following distance”, always adhere to the four-second rule. Before approaching intersections, always slow down. Tell drivers to always look before pulling out, and avoid the need to back out if possible. Remind drivers to never text, talk, or adjust the GPS while driving; distracted driving is deadly. And instruct drivers to set out a warning cone when parking a rig or another large vehicle. The cone lets people know your rig is an attended work vehicle, and they’ll typically park far away to give you extra space.