Massachusetts Workers Compensation Lawyers Blog

April 22, 2014

OSHA Sets Final Rule on Electric Safety

Electrical fires and electrocutions are a significant risk to workers in construction, factories, and other industrial jobs. After a decade of effort, the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) has finally published a rule containing new safety requirements to prevent hazards in the workplace. The rule primarily focuses on developing and sharing safety procedures, minimizing distance to electrical sources, and protective gear. Safety advocates are touting the rule as a significant step in the right direction to keep workplaces free from injury and to protect the lives of workers.

OSHA is the federal agency charged with making safety rules and ensuing compliance to protect the health and safety of the nation’s workers. The electrical safety rule will be pivotal in establishing safety guidelines and in holding negligent companies accountable in the event of an accident. Our Boston workers’ compensation attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of America’s workforce. We are committed to helping injured workers and their loved ones collect rightful benefits in the event of an accident or injury. Our lawyers are also committed to raising awareness and in staying abreast of legal issues and trends that impact worker safety.
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April 17, 2014

Common Office Back Pain or Repetitive Stress Injury?

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Working conditions have changed and the computer age has left many of us sitting behind desks. While these conditions are not the most dangerous, they can still wreak havoc on our bodies, including our backs, necks, and hands. Individuals who suffer from repetitive stress injuries may be entitled to workers ‘compensation benefits.

Are you suffering from common office back pain or repetitive stress injury? Our workplace accident attorneys are dedicated to raising awareness to prevent injuries and helping workers recover compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and other losses.

Back pain in the workplace is common. What can you do about back pain and when can you take legal action for your repetitive stress injuries? Desk life can cause permanent damage to your back and make it more difficult for you to recover from injuries. Back pain is a common problem that can result in long-term and permanent injury. When your condition has worsened to a degree that renders you unable to work or forces you to miss work, you may be entitled to benefits.
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April 12, 2014

Biggest Obstacles to Adequate Safety Training

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Safety training is essential to protect workers from on-the-job injuries or fatalities. While some employers fail to provide adequate training and don’t prioritize employee safety, others want to do the right thing and ensure their staff is safe. Unfortunately, even employers who want to provide safety training may encounter certain obstacles in their efforts.

Prioritizing safety training is a smart business choice for companies. Not only can they avoid the risk of fines by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) but they will also have a healthier workforce and won’t have as many workers’ compensation claims. Workers who are injured on the job can make a workers’ compensation claim regardless of employer negligence, and should consult with an experienced work injury lawyer. Because workers’ compensation is a strict liability system, the only way to avoid claims for employers is to avoid injuries in the first place. This means employers need to find creative ways to overcome training obstacles to achieve the benefits of effective training.
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April 8, 2014

Safety Issues for Remote Workers

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Within the first 12 weeks of 2014, there were six deaths of workers performing maintenance or serving cell phone towers. Based on the number of deaths of cell tower workers in 2013 (13 employees total for the year), the rate of deaths in the industry in 2014 is nearly double the number of workers killed last year. This increase is disturbing but not entirely unexpected in light of prior estimates that show the fatality rate in the tower climbing industry is five times the rate of other industries.

Although tower climbing work is recognized as high-risk, the significant increase in deaths in just the first three months of the year is raising questions about how safety protections can be put into place for those who work remotely. These workers may still be considered employees and eligible to make workers’ compensation claims with the help of a workplace accident lawyer, but the workers do not go to a central worksite where an employer can actively take steps to improve conditions and enforce safety rules in order to reduce fatalities on the job.
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April 4, 2014

Loud Noises Increase Risk of Workplace Injury

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Workplace hearing loss is a major risk for workers in certain fields including the construction industry. Unfortunately, loud noises at work may do more than just damage your hearing. A new Canadian study indicates that being exposed to loud noises at work may put you at greater risk of other types of injuries as well.

Those who sustain any type of injury on-the-job can take action and make a workers’ compensation claim. A Boston workplace injury lawyer can assist you in pursuing your work injury claim and obtaining medical benefits and disability income if your injuries prevent you from continuing to work.
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March 30, 2014

Workplace Safety Compromised by OSHA Budget Cuts

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had its budget cut in 2013 because of sequestration. OSHA was already underfunded before the cuts and did not want to reduce its compliance inspections unless forced. OSHA inspectors are overextended and far too few companies receive annual workplace inspections to ensure that they comply with occupational safety standards.

To preserve its inspection budget, Safety News Alert reports that OSHA instead cut its employer-assistance budget. Business advocates were concerned about this strategy and a new report indicates that the Department of Labor also is concerned that this will have a long-term adverse impact on safety.
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March 29, 2014

Workplace Injury Often Result of Fatigued Employees

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A recent study in the Journal of Applied Psychology revealed an increase in workplace injuries in the days after Daylight Savings time. No corresponding increase in the number of work injuries occurred when the clocks switched to standard time. This suggests that lack of sleep when this time switch occurs is a contributing factor to on-the-job accidents because employees who are overtired are less alert and more likely to make dangerous mistakes.

While the study outcome should prompt employees and employers to be more alert when the clocks change, it also shows the importance of getting a good nights rest every day before work. Fatigue does not disqualify a worker from recovering workers’ compensation benefits and those who get hurt doing work tasks should consult with an experienced workplace accident lawyer in Massachusetts. Still workers should make a commitment to not going to work tired in order to prevent a serious or potentially fatal accident.
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March 25, 2014

OSHA Wants to Expand Safety Inspections to Small Businesses

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

In its 2015 budget, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has expressed a desire to begin targeted inspections of more small businesses. OSHA is currently limited in its ability to conduct inspections on businesses with 10 or fewer employees. OSHA generally only conducts inspections of these companies in industries that have higher-than-average injury and illness rates. Now, OSHA wants to also inspect companies that have the potential for catastrophic incidents.

If OSHA is able to expand its inspection authority to more companies, this could help to reduce catastrophic events that cause injury not just to workers but potentially within whole communities. Ultimately, though, with a limited number of inspectors, OSHA can only do so much. Employers of all sizes need to exercise caution when dealing with hazardous materials or high-risk conditions and have an obligation to ensure that they aren’t putting others at risk. An injured worker who is harmed on-the-job should consult with a workplace injury lawyer for help understanding his legal right to compensation.
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March 20, 2014

What Three Safety Issues is OSHA Focused on Enforcing?

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a wide variety of safety regulations that it enforces. OSHA inspects workplaces on a regular basis, although understaffing has resulted in inspections not being frequent enough. OSHA also launches investigations when a serious injury or workplace death occurs or when a complaint is made about a company failing to live up to safety standards.

While OSHA enforces regulations on almost every workplace issue, from scaffolding to toxic exposure, there are three specific areas that OSHA is currently focused on enforcing. The head of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs laid out these areas in a presentation to the American Bar Association’s Occupational Safety & Health Law Meeting.
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March 18, 2014

Work Accidents: Infections and the Risk Life or Limb

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Amputation is a known cause of long-term disability and can result from illness, disease, or catastrophic accident. In some cases, a limb infection or other trauma could result complications that then lead to an unexpected limb loss. A recent case involving a CBS corresponded demonstrates that the risk of amputation could result from what appears to be a minor infection or injury. According to reports, what was thought to be a minor injury ended up threatening his life–he and his doctors were forced to choose life over limb.

The Amputation Coalition reports that there are nearly 2 million Americans living with limb loss. Every year, doctors are forced to perform nearly 185,000 limb amputations. For victims, the loss of limb can result in disability, unemployment, and hardship in learning to adjust emotionally and physicals. Workers in the United States face additional risk of amputation, especially in dangerous industries, including industry, construction, farming, fishing and factory work. Our workplace accident attorneys understand the devastating impact of amputation and are dedicated to helping victims and their loved ones recover the compensation they need.
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