Articles Posted in Workplace Safety

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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 United States.  Of these, 2,550 result from residential/workplace fires, 300 result from vehicle crash fires, and the remaining 550 result from various causes, such as flames, smoke inhalation, scalding, and electricity.  In terms of the cost for burn injuries and deaths, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that males account for $4.8 billion, or 64 percent, of total fire and burn-related costs annually, while females account for the remaining $2.7 billion, or 36 percent.  Injuries sustained from burns, whether heat, electrical, radiation, friction, or chemical burns, happen far too often and cost far too much money for accidents that are avoidable most of the time.

According to the Burn Foundation, the Food Service Industry experiences the highest number of burns among all employment sectors, about 12,000 burns annually.  Many jobs involved in the Food Service Industry, including cooks, food handlers, kitchen works, and waiters, are among the top 50 professions at risk for on-the-job injury.  The majority of people who need to be hospitalized for burns sustained in the workplace work in the food preparation industry.  Teenagers working at fast food restaurants as fry cooks are at a higher risk, often because they are not adequately trained or have little experience.  For those working in the food industry, there are some simple ways that you can protect yourself from severe burns while on the job.  Be sure to wear protective gloves when touching hot pots or cooking with a deep fryer.  Wear shoes that have traction to avoid slipping on wet or greasy floors.  Extinguish hot oil or grease fires by covering the pot or container with a lid.  Don’t reach across hot surfaces.  Be sure to read all directions and understand the proper use of electrical appliances and stoves before use.  These precautions can also be utilized to prevent burns in residential kitchens.  Although some of these are occupationally specific precautions to take, there are additional general safety measures you can implement to avoid possible burn hazards in your own office, the most simple of which being aware of hot or corrosive objects and substances.  Continue reading

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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 rocks below while the other worker, 38-years-old, was already on the ground and was then buried by debris for at least 15 minutes.  Quincy Fire Deputy Chief Jack Cadegan made a statement saying he “found the gentleman under three to four feet of bricks and [he] had a steel beam across his chest. The steel beam may have actually protected him somewhat.”  Both men were transported to Boston Medical Center with serious injuries but they are expected to recover.

Accidents like this occur somewhat commonly at construction sites due to the various hazards present.  The common accidents that occur at these sites include electrocutions, falls, equipment failure, and collapses of unsupported excavations.  Too often, injuries and deaths by such methods are preventable.  Unfortunately, construction workplace accidents tend to be caused by the sheer ignorance or negligence of construction workers or site developers.  One of the more common causes of injuries is structural collapse, most often when buildings or bridges are being erected or demolished.  Structural collapse during construction can be caused by excessive construction loading, improper sequencing, temporary material or system weaknesses, and temporary instabilities.  There are several warning signs that may indicate potential structural collapse that construction workers should be vigilant of.  These signs include: age of the building; cracks or bulges in walls; ability of water or smoke to push through walls that should have solid masonry; and sagging floors and roofs.  Construction workers should be aware of these warning signs as well as take addition safety precautions.  Most frequently, structural collapses occur in trenching, long and narrow ditches in the ground.  These collapses cause dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries annually.  Construction deaths as a result of trench collapses rose considerably in 2003.  OSHA provides some specific safety precautions to consider while working with trenches, including the following: Continue reading

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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 result of heat-related illness between 2008 and 2014. From dehydration to heat exhaustion, the risks can be dramatically reduced by following the tips below. Contact a Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today.

When the sun is blazing and temperatures are at or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, it is crucial to take proper precautions against heat-related illness. It is an employer’s duty to provide a safe working environment for employees and contractors. If a supervisor neglects to do this, or prevents you from taking necessary water breaks or time out of direct sun in periods of high heat, he or she may be found negligent. If you suffer any work-related injuries, including those related to excessive heat, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

Protect Yourself from the Heat

Hydrate. When temperatures are high, it is essential to drink plenty of water throughout the day. It’s always a good idea to stay hydrated, but during extreme heat, it can be the difference between life and death. If water is too boring for you, try an electrolyte-infused beverage such as Gatorade, or add a slice of lemon. But avoid designer energy drinks at all costs. Drinks such as Red Bull and Monster Energy provide little hydration, are full of sugar and caffeine, and have been associated with heart arrhythmia, heart failure, and death. If you simply need something sweet, it’s OK to drink lemonade and other citrus beverages, but try and dilute them with water.

Pack a healthy lunch. Your choice of food can be just as important as your choice of drink. For starters, snacking on junk food all day might hurt more than just your waistline. The excess salt will make it harder to stay hydrated, and the high fat content and preservatives can add stress to your body in high-heat situations. A light, nutritious lunch, especially with hydrating fruits and vegetables, is best.

Work at a cooler time of day, if possible. Obviously, it’s not always feasible to avoid the hottest part of the day – between 10 am and 2 pm – but on extremely hot days, it may be wise to start earlier, take a longer lunch break, and work later. Supervisors should be on the lookout for signs of fatigue when temps soar above 90, and breaks should be given more frequently than normal.

Stay in the shade. If you can, work in shaded areas. In extreme heat, use umbrellas or canopies wherever possible, even if only as a temporary respite from direct sun exposure. Supervisors should provide sunblock to all crew members who request it. Consider wearing a wide-brim hard hat, or purchase a visor that can be attached to your existing hat. There are several other hot-weather clothing items, such as nape protectors and vented vests, that may offer some protection and relief.

Listen to your body’s signals, and look out for one another. Strange behavior is often a sign of heat exhaustion or other heat-related illness. If a co-worker appears disoriented or lethargic, or if he or she begins stumbling or slurring speech, get help immediately. Heat exhaustion is dangerous enough on it’s own, let alone in close proximity to heavy machinery and tools. Likewise, if you begin to ‘feel funny’, fatigued, extremely thirsty, or dizzy, ask for help right away. Continue reading

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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 causes of anchor bolt failures leading to concrete collapses are improperly securing the bolts due to poor training, insufficient supervision of workers, or plain negligence.  It is not uncommon for construction workers to skimp on protocol in order to save time and money.  Although workers may not realize the amount of damage that can be caused by taking short cuts, lives have been lost due to this kind of carelessness.

Anchor bolt failures can occur during or after construction.  Serious injuries can result from these failures such as bleeding, head/back/neck/spinal cord injury, amputation, paralysis, and death.  To ensure these injuries are minimized, it is important to adhere to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines when working with anchor bolts to secure pieces of concrete.  Such guidelines include “All columns shall be anchored by a minimum of four anchor rods (anchor bolts)” and “Prior to the erection of a column, the controlling contractor shall provide written notification to the steel erector if there has been any repair, replacement or modification of the anchor rods of that column”.  These and other requirements implemented by OSHA are put in place in order to ensure anchor bolts are correctly installed and maintained.  Bolts that have been repaired, replaced, or field-modified improperly have been responsible for collapses of concrete slabs and consequent injuries and deaths.

Therefore, proper maintenance of anchor bolts is also crucial to protect the longevity of the components and the safety of bystanders.  There are a few types of evaluation procedures to test the integrity of the anchor bolts, both non-destructive testing and semi-destructive testing.  The three main techniques typically used are 1) Acoustic impact, in which the bolt is struck by a hammer and the tone determines its condition, 2) Ultrasonic metal flaw detection, essentially passing a mechanical stress wave over the bolt and the way the wave is reflected or transmitted determines the condition of the bolt, and 3) Excavation and discovery, which bolts are cleaned of corrosion and an instrument called a vernier caliper is used to determine the diameter of the bolt.  Once these tests have been performed, there are several sub sequential steps that need to be taken.  The condition of the anchor bolt determines the next course of action.  Possible options following anchor bolt integrity tests include, leaving the bolt alone (if it is in good condition), repairing existing bolts, relocating bolts, or complete anchor bolt extraction and reinstallation.  Continue reading

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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 to Rich Ives, vice president of workers’ compensation for Travelers insurance, “More than one-quarter of injuries occur in the first year of employment.” Contact a Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today.

In a recent report released by Travelers, the insurance company set out to determine how and why certain injuries occur on-the-job. The “Injury Impact Report” looked at a total of 1.5 million workers’ comp claims over a five-year period. Workers’ comp insurance pays for work-related injuries and illnesses, therefore, it is an excellent barometer for injuries, especially serious ones.

Sprains, Strains and Bruises

Of course, injuries are most prevalent in occupations such as construction and excavation, but they can occur in any field. In fact, the most common injuries were sprains, strains, bruises, and inflammation, and they were due to deceptively simple tasks, such as lifting and carrying objects. Nearly one-third of the 1.5 million claims were a result of these types of injuries. The next most common injuries? Slips, trips, and falls. After those, being struck by an object was most common. Not surprisingly, accidents involving falls from high places were most common among construction workers. Claims for eye injuries were also quite high in construction and manufacturing jobs.

Which injuries result in the most time off work?

With an average of 91 days off-the-job, inflammation causes the most lost work time. Fractures came in at a close second with 78 days of missed work. Sprains and strains result in about 57 off-the-job days.

Which injuries cost the most?

The least common but most expensive injuries were major injuries, such as amputations and electric shock. An amputation costs more than $100,000, limb dislocation is slightly over $97,000, and electric shock claims cost about $55,000. Although strains and sprains result in more claims, they cost much less. The average sprain or strain only costs about $17,000.

What is the overall cost of injuries to U.S. businesses?

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), annual injuries cost U.S. employers about $170 billion. Currently, about 60% of all workers’ comp costs are related to medical care, but that number is projected to rise to 70% by 2019. Continue reading

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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 the most common on-the-job injuries in that specific year. Contact a Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today.

The Most Common Massachusetts Work-Related Injuries and How to Prevent Them

  • Falls from high places: Although these accidents are most common in construction-related jobs, they can occur anywhere. Improperly maintained or faulty scaffolding and ladders are common causes of serious falls. Unfortunately, falls from high places are also one of the most dangerous types of workplace accidents, often resulting in head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and serious fractures. To prevent falls, always use safety harnesses when necessary, ensure that stairwells have adequate lighting, and make sure that equipment is regularly inspected and maintained.
  • Overexertion: This is one of the most common workplace injuries and it often affects the lower back. Overexertion can be caused by using excessive effort when lifting, pulling, pushing, or carrying objects. To avoid straining your lower back, or any other part of your body, always utilize proper lifting techniques, ask for help from other employees if an object is too heavy, and stop immediately if you feel any soreness or pain.
  • Slip and fall accidents: Although falls from high places result in more serious injuries and deaths, slipping, tripping, and falling on a level surface can still be extremely dangerous. People are seriously injured and die in slip and fall accidents every year. Even minor falls can result in torn ligaments and sprains. More serious falls can cause head trauma and fractures. Prevent slip and fall injuries by ensuring that walkways are well lit and clear of clutter and debris.
  • Being struck by an object: When improperly shelved materials, such as heavy boxes, equipment, or construction materials, fall from scaffolding or shelves above, they can cause serious injury and death. Prevent bruises, lacerations, and brain injuries by always making sure shelved items are properly secured. The use of hard hats in construction areas can also dramatically reduce the risk of serious head injuries.
  • Repetitive motions: Although injuries from repetitive motions may not be as dangerous as, for example, falls from high places, they can still be incredibly debilitating. When workers consistently perform the same task, such as data entry or stuffing envelopes, they may experience torn ligaments, sprains, and other conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. These conditions may prevent a worker from returning to work for an extended period of time. Avoid repetitive motion injuries by taking frequent breaks, using ergonomic equipment at your desk, and maintaining proper posture.

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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 us more vulnerable to physical injury.  Massachusetts employers should take note. Stressed workers cost 50 percent more in annual health costs, and they are more likely to be less productive and disengaged. According to the American Institute of Stress, job-related stress costs employers more than $300 billion every year. Contact a Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today.

Provide Workplace Wellness Benefits

Exercise and a healthy lifestyle go a long way toward combating workplace stress. Employers can incentivize workers to be healthy by offering discounted gym memberships, hosting healthy eating / exercise challenges, or even adding an on-site gym.

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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 Halifax Fire Department, worked for several hours to free Brown from the trench. Contact a Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today.

Rescue Workers Provided Intravenous Fluids and a Heater to Prevent Hypothermia

According to firefighters, the rescue was especially difficult because they couldn’t use sophisticated equipment to free the victim. “It comes down to little army shovels and 5 gallon buckets. (We) can’t use big machinery because vibrations will cause more sand to collapse on top of the victim,” said Halifax Fire Chief Jason Vizeiros.  While Brown was still trapped in the 8-foot deep trench, he couldn’t move his legs but he was able to speak with the rescue workers. In order to protect Brown from becoming hypothermic, paramedics administered intravenous fluids and provided a heater to keep him warm.

Once freed from the trench, Brown was taken by ambulance to the landing pad of a medical helicopter. He was immediately flown to Boston Medical Center, where he remains in good condition. The victim was lucky. Trench collapses often result in serious injuries and death. “They don’t always end this way, so it is definitely a happy ending,” said Duxubry Fire Department Chief Kevin Nord.

Trenching is a High-Risk Occupation

Trenching is actually one of the most dangerous jobs around. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 271 workers died in trenching collapses between 2000 and 2006, and 488 trenching-related fatalities occurred between 1992 and 2000. Most trenching hazards are preventable and easy to recognize. It is the employer’s responsibility to promote safe work practices, and to provide a safe working environment, protective equipment, and adequate training.

OSHA Standards for Trenching Safety

  • When workers are exposed to danger from moving ground, trench walls must be guarded by a shoring system, ground slope, or equivalent means.
  • When ground material is soft or unstable, sides of trenches 5-feet deep or deeper must be shored, sloped, braced, sheeted, or supported by equivalent means.
  • Trenches adjacent to backfilled areas or prone to vibrations from highway traffic, railroads, or heavy-machine operation must be given additional bracing and shoring.

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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 that the employer followed all established rules and regulations, these findings will help the employer avoid liability. In a recent and surprising move, OSHA has withdrawn its ‘slips, trips, and falls rule’ from the White House review process in order to review the rule’s benefits and costs. In doing so, OSHA has created a possible dilemma for employers, many of whom are now unsure of how to proceed. Contact a Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today.

How Does Withdrawing This Rule Hurt Employers?

For starters, the rule helped create a safety-net for employers to adhere to. However, the rule also provided some ‘grey areas’ which also served to protect employers. The portion of the slips, trips, and falls rule that pertained to guardrail standards was one such grey area.The standard height of guardrails is set at 42 inches, however, a height of 36 or 37 inches was considered a de minimis violation, which requires no penalty. With the removal of the slips, trips, and falls rule that included this ‘exception’ to the 42-inch rule, employers are now unclear if they have to retrofit all guardrails to the standard height.

The removal of this rule is significant – slips, trips, and falls account for billions of dollars in workers’ comp payments every year. According to Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety’s 2016 Workplace Safety Index, employers spent $15.6 billion on injuries from same level falls and falls to a lower level in 2013, and $2.4 billion on slips, trips, and falls in the same year.

Slips, Trips, and Falls Account for 3,500 Serious Injuries Every Year

The slips, trips, and falls rule, which was originally published in 1990, established requirements for personal fall protection systems, among other things. It has since been rewritten twice to adapt to technological advances. The withdrawal of this rule on December 21 may only be a temporary move. OSHA has stated that it will finalize the rule during the current term and re-publish the rule once this has been accomplished. OSHA referred to other rules which have been temporarily withdrawn, updated, and re-published as well. According to the director of consulting services for the National Safety Council in Itasca, Illinois, W.E. Scott, the rule is beneficial in that it incorporates new technologies to protect workers and may reduce the slips, trips, and falls injuries in the council’s 2015 Injury Facts report. The report revealed 3,500 serious injuries and 20 fatalities due to slips, trips, and falls in 2015.  Continue reading

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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, extreme cold can lead to disaster if workers and employers don’t follow safety protocol. Taking proper precautions can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury and death. Contact a Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today.

Winter Building and Construction Safety Tips

The Occupational Health and Safety website offers the following “winterizing” safety tips for all types of building and construction jobs.

Avoid fire hazards: Wooden ladders should be replaced with non-combustible ladders. Make sure to store materials away from open flames at all times. Temporary heating devices should comply with local fire codes.

Protect pipes: For starters, do not attempt to thaw frozen pipes with an open flame. Not only can this cause fires, it can also result in a steam explosion. To thaw frozen pipes, use a heat lamp, space heater, or heat gun only. Ensure that any worker using these devices is properly trained to do so.

Protect water tanks: Roof water tanks should be regularly checked to ensure that they do not freeze.

Remove debris: Debris always poses a risk in work environments, but this is especially true for winter construction. Ice and snow on rooftops and overhangs should be cleared regularly to prevent falling to street level. Heavy snow can also hide dangerous materials that could fall to a lower level or cause a worker to trip.

Make sure that equipment and temporary structures are stable and secure: All construction materials, including ladders, netting, and accessories, can shift in inclement weather. Small items can be stored in a toolbox or other container. Large equipment and temporary structures, such as scaffolding, fencing, and sidewalk sheds, should be secured as well.

Avoid working in icy conditions: Regardless of how important or time-sensitive the job is, working on scaffolding in snow and ice is never a good idea. Unless you are trying to remedy a hazardous situation, stay off scaffolding in snow and ice. The same is true during storms and high winds.

Avoid using hoists in inclement weather: During heavy rain, ice, snow, and high winds, do not use hoists. In addition, if a hoist has been exposed to winds of 35 mph or more, it should be inspected before future use.

Inspect cranes for use in inclement weather: To keep cranes functioning safely, they must be properly stored, maintained, and inspected on a regular basis. Check for water and ice accumulation on the crane, which can result in a slip and fall or a falling ice hazard. Continue reading

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