As most Americans are well aware, the government shut down on October 1 because Congress failed to reach a budget agreement. If you visit the federal OSHA website, you will see the following notice: “Due to suspension of Federal government services, this website is not being regularly monitored.” As the…
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has released the Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary for 2012, and the news is mixed for workers. While the overall number of fatal workplace injuries declined in 2012 as compared with 2011, certain demographic groups experienced more fatalities than in the past. Further, some persistent causes…
According to the Wall Street Journal, the number of workplace injuries recorded by the federal government has declined dramatically, dropping by 31 percent in the past 10 years. This seems, at first glance, like great news for workers. However, our Massachusetts workers’ compensation lawyers know that this decline in workplace…
“It is well recognized that texting while driving dramatically increases the risk of a motor vehicle injury or fatality. We are asking employers to send a clear message to workers and supervisors that your company neither requires nor condones texting while driving,” said David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of the Occupational…
Officials with the U.S. Department of Labor have ordered Pan Am Railways Inc. to pay out $50,000 to an injured worker for punitive and compensatory damages. They company is also required to take corrective action after being accused by the worker of lying after he filed a Federal Railroad Safety…
Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have recently signed an alliance with the National Association of Women in Construction to develop training materials to help protect the women who work in the construction industry. The alliance is going to be focusing on sanitation and musculoskeletal risks as…
The parents of a construction worker who was killed in a New York City crane accident have settled their wrongful death lawsuit for $1 million. According to the Boston Globe, the insurance company, Liberty Mutual, agreed to settle the wrongful death suit that was filed by the 30-year-old’s parents, Colleen…
A landscaping working who was trimming branches in Holliston recent died after he was severely burned when his chainsaw made contact with a power line. According to the Boston Globe, the 26-year-old worker was completing duties in a bucket truck when the accident happened. According to Deputy Fire Chief Jim…
Job seekers and incumbent employees in the state of Massachusetts are soon getting a safety makeover. Thanks to the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund and the Patrick Administration, close to $5 million has been allotted to improve the skills and training of these individuals. This is not going to help to…
It’s hot and dry out there, and while we may not think about it often, this serves up some serious risks for wildfires. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), being educated and prepared for these kinds of disasters can help to protect against the destructive impact of…