Many workers have no choice about what kind of weather they endure while working. Some have jobs that require outdoor work 100 percent of the time. Many also must contend with inclement weather for relatively short periods while going through their respective work days. Rainy weather is common, but can create many types of dangerous working conditions. Workers’ compensation helps to protect workers against the costs of injuries or illnesses suffered due to working in the rain. Fortunately, some timely[…] Read More
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What Are the Main Causes of Construction Accidents?
According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), nearly 60 percent of worker fatalities in the construction industry can be attributed to the “Fatal Four” hazards: falls, electrical hazards, struck-by, and caught in/between accidents. Falls Falls from heights are the leading cause of fatal construction accidents in this country. Despite clear OSHA standards for fall prevention equipment and procedures, over 300 construction workers die in falls annually. Electrical Hazards Contact with electrical sources account for 10 to 15[…] Read More
What Are the Top 10 Workplace Safety Issues?
Throughout the year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintains a database of all reported workplace safety violations across the country. These violations occur not just at manufacturing plants or construction sites but at all places of employment that are required to offer Workers’ Compensation benefits to their employees. OSHA most recently compiled and named the top 10 hazards and safety issues of 2021. Even if you work in an office setting, you will want to take measures to[…] Read More
Are Repetitive Stress Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
A repetitive stress injury occurs due to repeatedly making the same motions that add up to excessive strain on a body part. Repetitive stress injuries commonly occur in many occupations and are subject to workers’ compensation coverage. Virtually every state requires employers to carry workers’ compensation coverage to protect their workers against medical costs and lost income due to work-related injuries and illnesses. A repetitive stress injury qualifies as a work-related injury. If a worker suffers a work-related injury or[…] Read More
What Are Common Hazards in the Retail Industry?
On its face, the retail industry seems like a less hazardous place than any other given manual labor job. Unfortunately, wherever you have employees, you have injuries, and the retail industry is no exception. From supermarkets to department stores and beyond, retail stores place employees in environments that demand multitasking in a fast-paced environment. As a result, injuries are bound to happen. Whether an injury is the result of lifting or a slip and fall, it can cause physical, financial,[…] Read More
What Are the Dangers of Working in Confined Spaces?
All jobs have occupational hazards. For instance, working remotely from home could cause back problems over a period of time. If you dissect the specifics of most jobs, you will see a potential hazard somewhere, but some jobs, like those where people work in confined spaces, are more dangerous than others. A ‘confined work space’ is a small space or area in which workers spend a portion or all of their day working, although the definition can be more specific[…] Read More
What Are Electrical Hazards for a Lineman?
Electricity and telecommunications are among the many defining features of an advanced society and first-world nation. Those systems mostly rely on connected wires that are bundled into lines to deliver the electrical current or communications signals throughout the nation. Like virtually all other manmade things, the lines require routine maintenance and repairs. A lineman does the work and is a highly trained and qualified professional who has the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to maintain and repair lines. A lineman’s[…] Read More
Teachers and Workers’ Compensation
Like employees working outside of education, teachers usually are covered by workers’ compensation insurance that is purchased by their respective employers. Those employers usually are school districts or private schools, and they are subject to state requirements to purchase workers’ compensation insurance. Whether you teach for a public school district or a private school, Pennsylvania law says your employer must provide you with workers’ compensation protection. If you suffer any kind of work-related injury or illness while teaching, the insurance[…] Read More
Construction Workers Exposed to Toxic Chemicals
Construction workers suffer more work-related injuries than workers in any other industry. Most people understand the general dangers that construction workers face, such as potentially dangerous tools and falling from elevated platforms. Toxic chemicals and other substances pose a more overlooked danger that is just as dangerous and potentially deadly as any other that construction workers face. Despite generally being overlooked, toxic substances are a leading cause of injuries and deaths among construction workers. Commonly Encountered Toxic Substances Construction workers[…] Read More
What are Common Work Injuries Seen in the Landscaping Industry?
Landscapers provide a vital service by keeping our environment lush, green, and beautifully maintained. However, the job is not without dangerous hazards that can lead to work injuries. Landscapers use power tools for cutting grass and shrubs and sometimes must work at heights on ladders to reach the tops of hedges and trees. They work in all types of weather including blistering heat, brutal cold temperatures and wet weather that can make surfaces slick and slippery. The following are some[…] Read More