Massachusetts Workers Compensation Lawyers Blog
The Alliance is renewed! The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Laser Institute of America (LIA) will continue to work together to help to reduce the risks of work-related accidents in Boston and elsewhere. This Alliance focuses on employee exposure to laser beam and non-beam dangers in research, industrial and medical work places.
This renewed alliance will also be working to share information regarding laser standards and regulations as well as the effects that these devices can have on the skin and eyes. Lastly, the Alliance will be raising awareness about effective laser control measures.
“Worker exposure to laser beams can result in eye and skin damage, and in more serious cases, blindness and skin cancer,” said David Michaels Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
Our Boston workers’ compensation lawyers understand that lasers pose some serious risks for accidents on the job. In fact, injury caused by new technologies is a growing area of concern for safety officials.
Workers are urged to be cautious when using new technologies or advanced manufacturing processes. Employers are also reminded to keep work places hazard free. It’s a federal obligation for employers to minimize dangers on the work site for all employees. When working with lasers, there are a number of safety precautions that need to be executed to make sure that this is done properly. This renewed Alliance will help to expand the outreach efforts for both employees and employers to share critical information and education to reduce the risks for these injuries.
During this renewed Alliance, fact sheets and popular questions that should be asked at laser facilities will be released. The Alliance will also be conducting Laser Safety Seminars for field staff members.
LIA launched back in 1968 and has been working ever since to help keep those who work with lasers safe on the job. The organization offers technical info and networking opportunities for those in the medical, industrial, government and research communities across the world. The organization currently represents close to 1,500 members.
Preventative Measures:
-Laser Guards.
-Guarding Hydraulic Press Brakes.
-Minimizing Ultra-Violent Radiation.
-Guarding Smoke Generated from Surgical Procedures.
-Regulate Supermarket Laser Scanning Equipment.
-Protective Equipment.
-Laser Safety in Underground Coal Mines.
According to recent studies, man-made light sources have allowed researchers to determine the safe exposure limits for nearly all types of laser and radiation. There is extensive knowledge regarding the dangers of these devices. With the knowledge comes knowledge on how to regulate these devices and to reduce the risks of accidents and injuries when using them.
LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. How it works is that is produces highly directional and intense beam of light. The most common form of injuries produced by these devices happens when tissue proteins are denatured because of the temperature rise following absorption of laser energy.
If you, a coworker or a loved one has been injured or killed in a work-related accident in Boston, Quincy, Fall River, Taunton or in any of the surrounding areas, contact the injury lawyer at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers to set up a free consultation to discuss your case. Call 888-367-2900.
More Blog Entries:
New England Work Accidents Likely with Lack of Safety Procedures, OSHA Cites, Massachusetts Workers Compensation Lawyers Blog, May 11, 2012
Heat-Related Work Injuries in Boston Rising Concern with Rising Temps, Massachusetts Workers Compensation Lawyers Blog, May 9, 2012