North Carolina Workers' Compensation Lawyers Blog

Labor Day is a little more than just a day off of work. It represents years and years of commitment to the United States from our workforce. It's used as a day to commemorate our nation's workers and all that they do.

Some believe that the very first Labor Day was celebrated more than 100 years ago. Many claim Peter J. McGuire, the general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, was the first one to bring up the idea of the holiday. Others say that it was Matthew Maguire, the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists, who started the Labor Day holiday.

Regardless, the first holiday was held on the first Monday of September in 1882 in NYC, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Just a year later, the second holiday was celebrated and the tradition continues.

Back then, it was also referred to as the "workingmen's holiday."

Our Asheville workers compensation attorneys understand that the Labor Day holiday has really become a part of the American fabric. The nation has given the holiday increasing emphasis, and it doesn't look like it's slowing down any time soon. For the very first time in 1885, the holiday received governmental recognition through municipal ordinances. The first bill was introduced in New York although the first bill to pass was in Oregon. During that same year, for additional states, including New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Colorado, launched their own Labor Day holidays through legislative enactment.

By the end of that decade, Pennsylvania, Nebraska and Connecticut joined in as well. Before 1895, nearly 25 states had adopted a holiday on the first Monday of September to honor our nation's workers.

With the celebration of Labor Day and the hard work that Americans put into making our nation a better place day after day, we'd also like to discuss the importance of keeping these individuals safe. To help to do that, the federal government has enacted various laws to protect workers on the job.

The DOL has created three agencies to make sure that employers are doing their job to protect workers. There's the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) as well as the Wage and Hour Division (WHD).

The DOL also has the Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace to help companies and employers to create drug-free workplace programs. Although this is not a federal law, these kinds of programs also help to protect workers on the job and provide them with a safe workplace.

What you might find to be the most important is the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP). This office helps four major disability compensation programs to provide compensation regarding wage replacement, vocational rehabilitation, medical treatment and other benefits to federal workers or their dependents who are injured on the job or who acquire an occupational disease.

Continue reading "Carolina Workers' Compensation Firm Wishes you a Safe Labor Day Weekend" »

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) recently revised a directive to help protect those who work at marine terminals and the rest of those who work in the marine cargo handling industry.

The new directive helps to lay out the details and enforcement guidance for inspections of longshoring operations. It's being used to help to minimize, and ultimately eliminate, work hazards for these workers. It's focusing on requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) and the safe operation of Vertical Tandem Lifts (VTLs).

"Too many workers are getting injured on the job," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels.

Our Charlotte workers compensation attorneys understand that there were nearly 10 workers who were killed and close to 3,000 who were injured in 2010 while performing marine cargo handling operations. These workers oftentimes face serious hazards on the job. These areas are so dangerous that workers are to be provided with a Waterfront Commission Identification Card so that they can be identified at any time. This fast-paced work environment includes all kinds of hazards if workers and employers are not on the ball or lack basic safety training and equipment. Employers and employees are urged to review the new directive and to share the information with others on the job site. Awareness is one of the keys against work accidents.

Provided with the Newly-Revised OSHA Directive:

-Details pertaining to PPEs will be provided. These devices to be provided to workers at no cost to them.

-Information regarding VTLs. In this portion of the directive, there will be info on the regulations and the recent court ruling on a challenge by industry to those regulations.

-The new directive also includes Marine Terminals and Safety and Health Regulations for those who engage in longshoring activities based on Phase III of the Standards Improvement Project.

-Incorporated into this directive is the settlement agreement between OSHA and the National Grain and Feed Association Inc.

-There are also answers to some of the most frequently asked questions in the industry.

-Cargo handling health and safety information is also now available on the internet with various informational links.

Currently, the Longshoring standards and the Marine Terminals standards regulate this industry. The new directive is used to help to enforce these standards.

Hazards that Can Affect Longshoring Workers:

-Toxic Metals

-Solvents

-Isocyanates

-Ergonomics

-Electrical

-Asbestos

-Confined Spaces

-Diesel Exhaust

-Ventilation

-Metalworking Fluids

-Occupational Noise Exposure

-Hand and Power Tools

-Falls

-Spray Operations

Some of the most common maritime work accidents happen during offshore oil rig mishaps, on cruise vessels, on commercial fishing rigs, on tugboats, on cargo ships and crude oil tankers, during the grounding of ships, because of drugs and alcohol, during crane mishaps, on shipyards, on driving support vessels, on barges and during cargo hauling.

Continue reading "Newly-Revised OSHA Directive to Protect Maritime Workers" »

It's Labor Rights Week. This is a week-long celebration that's held from the 27th of August through the 31st. Making work places safer for employees is the main focus of Labor Rights Week. Hilda L. Solis, the Secretary for the United States Department of Labor (DOL), says that upholding worker rights should be a responsibility and a priority of everyone.

The DOL especially focuses its safety efforts on migrant workers and employers while focusing on U.S. labor laws. Solis adds that the DOL is committed to making sure that workers are not only safe, but that they're paid for the work they complete under the proper wages laws. Currently, no one working in the United States can be paid less than $7.25 an hour. Most also deserve overtime. Overtime pay will be granted to those who work more than 40 hours a week. The Federal Minimum Wage was last changed in July of 2009.

Our Asheville workers' compensation lawyers understand that there are federal laws in place that govern how much each U.S. work should be paid for their time spent on the job. These laws include right of migrant workers, child labor and overtime pay in addition to regulating the country's minimum wage. The DOL's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is one of the organizations that is also dedicated to protecting workers from unfair treatment on the job and from on-the-job work hazards.

Throughout the entire week, there will be Labor Rights Week events taking place throughout the country.

Currently, there are some job positions in which employees can be paid less than the minimum wage and can be paid an hourly wage that's lower than the Federal Minimum Wage under specific circumstances. Some of these individuals include those who get tipped on the job (like waitresses). They can be paid less than the minimum wage as long as their tips add up to at least the current minimum wage. Also in this category are employees who work at seasonal establishments, like summer camps. Workers who are under the age of 18 can also be paid less than minimum wage for training periods. These periods can last no longer than 90 days. Lastly, there are some institutions, like universities and nonprofits, that may obtain a certificate to pay workers under the minimum wage.

Currently, the minimum wage in the state of South Carolina is also $7.25 an hour. South Carolina has no state-specific minimum wage law, instead has decided to adopt the Federal Minimum Wage by reference.

All South Carolina employers are required to display an approved South Carolina minimum wage poster in the work place for all workers to see. It must be located in a prominent area and alert workers about not only to their minimum wage rights, but about other worker's rights under South Carolina labor law.

Continue reading "Celebrating Labor Rights Week and Protecting Workers Along the Way" »

From 2003 to 2009, there were more than 330 fishermen who were injured on the job in the United States. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the rates of work accidents in this industry tend to be more volatile because of the small number of workers in this industry.

As a matter of fact, these rates have been well above those of other workers in recent years. The fatal injury rate for fishers and related fishing workers was more than 203 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2009. This is a rate that's more that 50 times higher than the all-worker injury and illness rate of less than 4 per 100,000.

Workers in this industry are subjected to work conditions that are unlike any other. They work long, strenuous and seasonal hours. They also face some of the most dangerous work conditions out there. Many fishers are at sea for months at a time. Our Charlotte workers compensation attorneys understand that these workers are required to work in these dangerous conditions oftentimes with no sleep at all. They are constantly being tossed around boat decks and face the risk of being drug overboard by equipment. Weather doesn't stop their work and they don't have the luxury of working in an office building. Their work conditions change on a day-to-day basis.

The outside world has been able to get a sneak peek into what these workers actually have to go through, with the production of TV shows like Big Shrimpin', Deadliest Catch, Swords, Hook Line and Sisters, and Toughest Tribes 3.

These workers have had the highest work-related fatality rate over any other occupation since 2005, yet we rarely hear about it. In 2009, there were more than 30,000 fishers and related workers employed in the United States.

Unfortunately, the information regarding illnesses and injuries is limited to the private sector. The nonfatal injuries and illness information that is collected, does not include those who are self-employed, but the fatal injury data does. This is relevant because more than half of those who work as fishers are considered to be self-employed.

In the U.S., there were more than 600 fishers and related workers who were injured badly enough that they had to take time off of work from 2003 to 2009.

Top Causes of Work Injuries from 2003 to 2009:

-Contact with equipment or objects accounted for about a third of all injuries.

-Overexertion accounted for more than 15 percent of all injuries.

-A third of these accidents were strains and sprains.

-Close to 40 percent involved the trunk as the body part affected.

-The rate for injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work was more than 72 per 10,000 full-time workers in 2009.

Continue reading "Fishing: Most Dangerous Occupation in the Nation" »

The number of employed youth is on the rise.

According to the most recent reports from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of employed workers between the ages of 16- and 24-years-old rose by more than 2 million, to sit at nearly 20 million total, from April to June of 2012.

This means that more than 50 percent of our nation's youth was employed during this time.

During these months, we see some of the largest numbers of young employees in the workforce. Students who are out on summer break look to get that seasonal position to help to save cash and newly-graduated students look for their dream job in a permanent position. July saw the biggest increase in these workers, with an increase in more than 835,000. This is significantly up in comparison to the less than 745,000 workers during the same time in 2011.

Our Rock Hill workers' compensation lawyers understand that the rise in youth employment highlights employers' obligation to follow rules, regulations and laws designed to help to protect these young and vulnerable workers. Work accidents are common among these young workers. It's important that they're aware of their rights. Make sure they know that they're entitled to a safe work environment and they're urged to speak up if they see anything less. Oftentimes these young workers are hesitant to speak up about on-the-job hazards because they're in fear of losing their job or simply aren't aware of these rights. Talk with your young worker today to make sure they're in a safe work environment!

Youth Labor Force Statistics, April through July of 2012:

-This labor force grew by 2.9 million during the entire summer.

-There were 23.5 million youth workers during this time.

-The number of youth workers was up more than 60 percent in July of 2012 in comparison to July of 2011.

-The July 2012 participation rate was 17 percentage points below the peak rate for that month in 1989.

-The labor force participation among these young workers in July of 2012 was 63.2 percent.

-Young women's rate: 57.8 percent.

-Young men's rate: 57.8 percent.

-Since 1989, the young worker participation rate during this time has trended downward, falling by about 20 percentage points.

-More than 25 percent of the youth working during this time were employed in the leisure and hospitality sector. This sector includes food services.

-The number of youth who were unemployed during July of 2012 was 4 million, not changing much from the 4.1 million unemployed during the same time in 2011.

-The youth unemployment rate was 17.1 percent in July of this year.

Teens! Listen up! We'd like to remind you that you have rights and that your employer has a responsibility to make sure that your work environment is safe. Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offer you your own website to help you get more familiar with these rights. It's the "Young Workers: You have rights!" wesbite. This site will not only help you to know what to do in the event of a work-related accident, but it can also help you to prevent job-related injuries and illnesses.

Continue reading "Summer Increasing Youth Work Nationwide, Accident Risks Up Too!" »

The number of workers between the ages of 16- and 24-years-old rose more than 2 percent from April to July of 2012, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In 2012, the number of young people employed was up more than 50 percent. This is the month in which the most young workers are out in the workforce, mainly because of summer break and summertime employment.

On the other hand, the number of unemployment among these young workers increased by more than 835,000 from April to July, compared to an increase of just 745,000 for the same time in 2011.

Our Charlotte workers' compensation attorneys understand that the number of these young workers who are working or are actively seeking work increases significantly between April and July of every year. During this time, a large number of both college and high school students are released from school and look for a summer job to stash away some extra cash. In addition, many college students enter the job market as an adult and kickoff their search for a permanent position. During the entire summer, the younger work force grew by nearly 3 million, or more than 14 percent, to a total of nearly 24 million in July.

Young men participating in the workforce in July of 2012 accounted for more than 63 percent. Of young women, more than 57 percent were working during this time.

Nearly 63 percent of whites, close to 55 percent of blacks, nearly 44 percent of Asians and more than 57 percent of young Hispanics were employed during this time.

During this time of the year, parents are urged to talk with their young workers about the risks of work injuries. These young employees might not be too familiar with their rights as a U.S. worker. When our youngsters are not familiar with their rights and are not able to identify unsafe work practices, accidents and injuries result.

These young workers accounted for 15 percent of the workforce in 2010. These young workers have an alarmingly high frequency or work accidents. They typically work in places that have a lot of dangers, like in restaurants, etc. Their inexperience and their biological and psychosocial contributors increase their risks for accidents. They may not always possess the size, fit, strength and cognitive abilities to operate common machinery found on the job.

There were nearly 400 workers under the age of 24-years-old who were killed on the job in 2009. Nearly 30 of these fatalities were of workers under the age of 18-years-old. There's also been an average of nearly 800,000 work injuries that were treated in emergency rooms among these young employees over the last decade. The rate for emergency department-treated occupational injuries of young workers was approximately two times higher than among workers 25 years and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Continue reading "Young Worker Population Increasing, Hazards on the Rise" »

The state might never know if your employer has workers' compensation. If you're injured on the job, workers' compensation is going to help you to cover medical costs, wage compensation and other costly obstacles. This is a coverage that's required by law.

Yet there were about 300 businesses in the state that were inspected last year who had no coverage or had expired coverage at the time of the inspection, according to the News & Observer. All that officials had to do was crosscheck information that was held by the North Carolina Department of Labor. This is the agency that is in charge of the safety of our state's workplaces, and the state Industrial Commission. This is the commission who overlooks workers' compensation insurance. The only problem is that no one's checking these records and if the insurance isn't in place, employees aren't protected in the event of a work accident.

Our Charlotte workers' compensation attorneys know this isn't the only criticism about our state-run system that has made headlines. According to NCB News, there are 26 states (including both Carolinas) that administer their own systems. These systems all operate under federal oversight. It's these programs that have been blamed for getting comfy with employers, not performing strict inspections and failing to keep victims properly informed.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently conducted an inspection into these state-run agencies and found that both Carolinas weren't collecting levied penalties. It was concluded that violations were also improperly classified in South Carolina. Federal officials say that it's OSHA's fault for not keeping a closer eye on the state programs. OSHA says that it's promises to revamp the system and to make adjustments to make sure that employees are better protected.

Both systems, in North and South Carolina, don't do the greatest job at publishing violations. Federal violations can be found on a daily basis with the click of a button on OSHA's website. On North Carolina Industrial Commission's website, it's latest press release was dated back in June!

When you have to deal with a state-run bureaucracy after a serious work accident, you should seek the assistance of an experienced and an aggressive lawyer. However, when an employer doesn't have workers' compensation insurance for it's employees, it's ultimately the workers who will suffer. According to the Charlotte Observer, one common way that a company can get out of providing workers' compensation for its employees is to list workers as independent contractors. When this is done, an employer is allowed to purchase a "ghost policy."

Such a ghost policy might cost $850 per year. This is a lot cheaper than the proper coverage for a construction business with 5 employees, which could cost about $30,000. Still, the state doesn't know exactly which of the nearly150,000 policies are "ghost policies." According to the North Carolina Rate Bureau, about 16,000 are known.

Bottom Line: Employers are required to have workers' compensation policies in place to help to cover workers who are injured on the job. When an accident happens, employees should usually be covered for medical expenses, short-term disability, lost wages and more. One of the most important jobs that our state watchdogs has it to make sure that each employer provides this kind of coverage for their employees.

Continue reading "Carolinas Allowing "Ghost Policies" -- Workers Unprotected" »

The number of fatalities on construction sites is on an upward trend. More and more construction workers are being killed in accidents that could be prevented if better safety precautions were taken. For this reason, officials with the Southeast regional offices of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are working to increase enforcement efforts.

Officials are focusing on falls, which are one of the four top causes of worker deaths in the Southeast.

The enforcement efforts start on the 20th of August. Officials will be looking for hazards on work sites that may cause a fall accident. OSHA officials will be conducting unannounced inspections on work sites throughout the area. Officials will also be immediately addressing the hazards they find during their inspections.

Our Rock Hill workers' compensation attorneys understand that there were more than 600 employees killed because of fall accidents in the U.S. in 2009. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were another 213,000 people injured in these same kinds of accidents during the year.

"OSHA's goal is to raise awareness about fall hazards and eliminate those conditions that lead to employee deaths," said Cindy Coe, OSHA regional administrator.

The construction industry continuously experiences the highest frequency of fall-related deaths year after year.

Common causes of work-related fall accidents:

-Slippery floors.

-Cluttered walkways.

-Unstable walking surfaces.

-Unprotected edges.

-Holes in walking surfaces.

-Openings in the wall.

-Unsafe ladders.

-Misused fall protection.

Fall accidents, injuries and fatalities rack up a heck of a lot of medical costs and workers' compensation costs every year. Officials with the National Safety Council (NSC) estimate that fall accidents tally a bill of about $70 billion every year.

When you"re required to work from heights, like on roofs, scaffolds and ladders, your employer is required to make sure that the job gets done safely. This means that the job site and each worker is provided with the proper safety equipment that they need. Before accepting a job, employers and supervisors need to review the work site and determine what safety equipment is needed. When estimating the cost of a job, all of this information should be included.

Safety Tips to Prevent Falls:

-Make sure the safety harness is always connected.

-Make sure that your harness fits correctly.

-Make sure that all fall protections is inspected before use.

-Make sure that all openings, holes and skylights are guarded and covered.

-Never work near areas that you feel are dangerous.

-Never disconnect from the lifeline.

-Never use defective equipment.

Workers are urged to take a look around their work site. Make sure that your area or work is safe for you and what you need to do. If you think that your safety is in jeopardy, speak up and talk to your supervisor or your boss. Your company is required to make sure that you're protected from work-related hazards, injuries and accidents.

Continue reading "Work Injury Watch: Southeast Officials Pushing Fall Safety on the Work Site" »

The North Carolina Department of Labor is warning workers about the risks associated with lead exposure.

Pure lead (Pb) is a heavy metal and is a basic chemical element. It can combine with a number of other substances to produce various compounds. As useful as it might be, it can be awfully dangerous to your well-bring. When it's absorbed into the body, certain doses can be toxic. You can inhale it or you can ingest it. Either way, it can cause some serious damage if it gets into your blood stream, first to cells, then to organs.

Our Asheville workers' compensation attorneys understand that there are many jobs in which workers are exposed to dangerous materials. In these positions, it's critical for employers to make sure that their workers are not only provided with a safe work environment, but that they're also provided with the proper safety equipment. Workers can be exposed to lead during the demolition of buildings, soldering or cutting metal, making jewelry, remodeling, painting, renovation projects, radiator repair, scrap metal operations and more. Workers of all kinds are at risk for this type of exposure. Unfortunately, many workers aren't even aware of these dangers!

People who have high levels of lead in their body might not oftentimes seem sick. The symptoms that occur from this condition are somewhat common to an everyday sickness. When a worker is exposed to lead, they may not even show any signs of damage. That's why blood testing is one of the only ways to tell if poisoning has occurred. The truth of it all is that lead is a powerful poison and it can stay in your body a long time.

Some signs that you may be experiencing lead over-exposure:

-Weight loss

-Nausea

-Constipation

-Loss of appetite

-Aches and pains in the stomach

-Difficulty concentrating

-Headache

-Trouble sleeping

-Irritability

-Weakness

-Tiredness

Luckily, there are ways that you can protect yourself from lead exposure. You should avoid eating, drinking or smoking while on the job. Before you eat or take a break you should wash your face and your hands.

Try to keep your work place as clean as possible. Sweep and dust regularly. Keep your work clothes in a safe and secluded place at work. Don't bring them home with you. This will help to protect your family. Keep young ones out of these dangerous work areas. If you work with lead, make sure that you follow the safety and health instructions of your workplace. If you are provided with a respirator on the job, be sure that you use it and clean it afterwards. If you work with lead at work, make sure you get a blood lead test regularly.

Continue reading "North Carolina Warns of Lead Exposure in Workplace" »

There are new educational resources available to help to protect employees from overexposure to mercury while crushing and recycling fluorescent bulbs, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Compact fluorescent bulbs are popular, durable, energy saving alternatives in the workplace. They're much more efficient than incandescent bulbs and more and more companies are switching to them. Unfortunately, the shift to these bulbs comes with risks for the workers who handle, recycle and dispose of them.

OSHA recently released a new fact sheet alerting workers who are exposed to these dangers about the different ways they can apply personal protective equipment and engineering controls.

There's also a Quick Card to help to educate employees about the risks that are associated with these bulbs. Included in this information are effective ways to handle the bulbs and how to properly clean them up if they're accidentally broken. All of this information is working to minimize workers' exposures to mercury.

Our Asheville workers' compensation attorneys understand that these bulbs can release harmful mercury, which poses a serious health threat to the worker. It happens when they're broken or when they're recycled. Depending on how long a worker is exposed to this mercury, they can suffer from a number of injuries and illnesses, including kidney problems, tremors, other nervous system disorders and damage to unborn children.

In the event of a broken bulb, each workplace should have:

-A cleanup plan. This plan needs to be known by all workers present.

-Brooms should never be used to clean the broken bulbs. Brooms will only work to spread the mercury.

-A vacuum designed to clean mercury. If a bulb is broken, this is the most effective way to clean up the mess. If you use a vacuum that's not specifically designed for this task, it will only work to increase air levels of the mercury and then the vacuum will become contaminated.

-Proper training. All workers should know the risks involved with mercury exposure and they should be trained in ways to help to reduce the risks of overexposure. They should also be trained on the procedures for ensuring that air filtration systems and seals are functioning properly.

Signs of mercury exposure can include:

-Changes in behavior.

-Trouble seeing.

-Irritation of the eyes.

-Sore gums.

-Diarrhea.

-Nausea.

-Trouble breathing.

-Chest discomfort.

-Coughing.

You don't have to touch it to be exposed either. If you're near mercury you can also be exposed by just breathing the vapor in the air.

Remember, there are strict state government and EPA regulations for disposing of fluorescent bulbs and other mercury-contaminated waste! Be safe and follow all of the necessary safety precautions to help to prevent a potentially life-altering injury or illness. If you feel that your workplace is not following these procedures, speak up! It's a joint effort and everyone needs to participate in safe work practices.

Continue reading "Fluorescent Bulbs a Workplace Hazard in North Carolina? " »

Our Rock Hill workers' compensation attorneys recently discussed the dangers of workplace violence and other threats that American workers may overlook on the job. But what if you work at home? Believe it or not, there are a number of dangers that you can run into working there, too.

Increasingly, companies are allowing their workers to telecommute and entrepreneurs are running business from their homes, according to the National Crime Prevention Council. Offices are standard in many homes today and they often are equipped with the latest computers, faxes, scanners, printers and other expensive equipment.

There are a number of safety precautions that you can take to help to protect yourself at home. Read the following and apply as many to your home office as you can. Doing so can help to reduce your risks of an accident and increase your at-home workplace safety. Risks can come from inside the home, like faulty and dangerous wiring, and outside the home from predators who might have an eye on your work equipment or other personal belongings.

At-Home Safety Tips:

-Make sure your windows and doors are secure. Install sturdy dead bolt locks. Use them!

-Hang window treatments to block the outside view into your office. You don't want strangers seeing the equipment you have in your home.

-Motion-censor lighting will help to see if anyone is walking around your yard.

-Look over your insurance policy.

-If you're meeting with a new client or another business person, meet in a public place.

-Make sure that all of your equipment is marked with identification numbers.

-Take pictures and store important info regarding your equipment in a safe spot.

-Always have a house phone or a cell phone nearby.

-Consider installing a home security system.

-Make sure that the trees and the bushes around your house are trimmed so that you can see your yard and your neighbor's house.

-If you're meeting with someone new, let someone you trust know about your meeting.

It's also important to be careful when receiving and sending packages. Before opening your door for the "delivery man," ask for identification. You never want to let this person into your home either. It's simple, everyday tasks like this that can lead to serious work accidents. We don't typically think about these risks because, well, we're at home. You always need to keep safety as a number one priority. The truth of the matter is that these concerns need to be addressed frequently. Stay on top of the condition of your workplace. Review the tips listed above and share them with your friends to make sure that everyone is safe.

Just because you're not at an actual work site, doesn't mean your not at risk for an on-the-job injury.

Continue reading "Working From Home: Work Accidents Likely without Preparation" »

Work is a big part of all of our lives. It takes up a pretty good portion of our week. It's important to make sure that you're safe while you/'re doing your job, regardless of where it is and what industry it's in. The sad fact is, violence in the workplace is a real threat and employees may be victimized by other crimes, like theft or even sexual assault.

Company owners and supervisors are required to make sure that the risks for all kinds of accidents and conflicts are minimized on the job for all employees. There are also things that workers can do to help to increase their safety, according to the National Crime Prevention Council.

Our Rock Hill workers' compensation lawyers understand that violence and threats are all over the headlines of the major new sources. They're happening in homes, in business and in other public areas. This can include rape, robbery, muggings and other assaults. Everyone cringes when they hear the reports of these stories, but the truth of the matter is that you may be at risk too, particularly at work.

In 2004, there was a violent crime rate of more than 21 incidents per 1,000 people. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics at the U.S. Department of Justice, this included simple assaults, aggravated assaults, robbery, rape and murder.

It's important for employers to make sure that they know what's going on in their work places. People need to be identified before walking onto the premise and potential employees need to be checked out before being hired, including background checks (when needed), references and other credentials.

Every company, no matter how small, should have an emergency plan in place.

There were nearly 5,000 workplace injuries reported in 2010. More than 500 of them were workplace homicides, according to the United States Department of Labor.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), of the 4,547 fatal workplace injuries that occurred in the United States in 2010, 506 were workplace homicides. Homicide is the leading cause of death for women in the workplace. However it manifests itself, workplace violence is a major concern for employers and employees nationwide. Still, these threats are oftentimes overlooked by both employees and employers.

Every year, there are about 2 million workers in the U.S. who report that they were the victims of workplace violence. Still, officials think many cases are never reported. These incidents can happen any time and anywhere. Employers and employees need to keep their eyes and ears open on the job. Report any suspicious activity. Awareness is one of the top keys in preventing these incidents.

These risks and incidents can be reduced when the proper safety precautions are taken. One of the best policies that an employer can offer their employees is a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence. This kind of policy should cover all employees, contractors, visors, clients, patients and anyone else who may come in contact with company personnel.

Continue reading "Workplace Violence: An Unrecognized Threat in North Carolina" »

Gov. Bev Perdue recently signed a bill that will be used to help to track down and reprimand employers who don't offer workers' compensation to employees. According to Insurance Journal, media groups have voiced concerns, saying that employer information should be kept as a public record. A provision of this movement would call for the information sent by the Rate Bureau to the commission to remain private due to proprietary concerns.

The approval of House Bill 237, was the result of criticism of North Carolina's loose efforts to help to enforce the current workers' compensation law. Too many workers in the state were being injured on the job and weren't being compensated. They were left to deal with the injury and the financial problems on their own because their employer failed to maintain state-required workers' compensation insurance.

Our Asheville workers' compensation attorneys understand that, under the new law, employers' and company's coverage status collected by the privately run non-profit North Carolina Rate Bureau is required to be shared with the state-run Industrial Commission. This Commission is used to help to ensure that employers have workers' compensation coverage available to workers. The Commission adjudicates workers' compensation claims.

The bill was sponsored by Nelson Dollar, R-Wake.

There were many articles ran by news sources recently which cited thousands of employers in the state who weren't offering this coverage to their workers. Even though companies are required to let the Industrial Commission know when they get, renew or discontinue their workers' compensation policies. Still, the Commission hardly ever gets word of it until a worker files a claim and it's too late. After these cases, the Commission would investigate the company and the claim. When no coverage was identified, the companies were hardly ever penalized for disobeying the law.

Right now, workers can go to the Industrial Commission's website to see if their employer has workers' compensation insurance.

If you don't have access to an on-site health provider, your employer can instruct you to go to a designated health care office in case of a work accident. If appropriate to the seriousness of your injury, you're to report to that facility.

If there is no employer health care provider on-site or designated off-site, you are to get the appropriate medical attention from elsewhere. Depending on your circumstances and the characteristics of the injury, you may be able to obtain medical attention from your family doctor or from an emergency room. You should also tell your selected healthcare provider that your injury is work related. Tell them where you work and other employer information so that the healthcare provider can bill treatment as a Workers' Compensation claim.

Continue reading "Bill Signed to Help Ensure Workers' Compensation Throughout NC" »

Employees in the healthcare industry are exposed to a number of infectious diseases through their daily work. These workers include clinical laboratory staff, technicians, nurses, physicians, social workers, administrative personnel, building maintenance security, mortuary personnel, housekeeping and food service employees. These hazards can be found in emergency rooms, ambulatory care centers, outpatient clinics, nursing care facilities and hospitals, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). If you work in any of these areas -- you're in danger.

Diseases and illnesses can be acquired by different means. They can be can be contracted by airborne particles and by direct contact. In 2010, there were nearly 654,000 cases of injury and illness reported in the healthcare and social assistance industry. That's 150,000 more than were reported in the industrial sector. In 2010, the incidence rate for work-related injuries and illnesses in health care and social assistance was nearly 140, the incidence rate for nonfatal injury and illnesses in all private industry was 107.

Our Rock Hill workers' compensation attorneys understand that nursing aides, attendants and orderlies had the highest rates for many types of injury. Take musculoskeletal disorders for example. The incidence rate of work related musculoskeletal disorders for these occupations was just under 250 per 10,000 workers. This compares to the average rate for all workers in 2010 of less than 35.

"These are people who have dedicated their lives to caring for our loved ones when they are not well. It is not acceptable that they continue to get hurt at such high rates," said Dr. David Michaels with OSH.

Some hospitals are going straight to the source of the problem and are taking the proper safety precautions to help to protect workers from dangers on the job. Take Park Ridge Health for example. This facility was the only hospital in Western North Carolina that was recognized this year in North Carolina Department of Labor Annual Safety Awards. This facility was handed a Gold Award for taking the appropriate safety measures and for maintaining a workplace accident incidence rate of at least 50 percent below the average incidence rates of hospitals across the rest of the state.

"It's exciting to know as a patient or as an employee that Park Ridge's commitment to safety is of the highest priority," said the director of the facility, Brandon Nudd.

Last month marked the second year in a row for recognition of the facilty's safety. There were more than 40 other hospitals in the area that were awarded the Gallup Great Workplace award. This award recognizes organizations for having safe workplaces.

Employers are urged to help to protect healthcare employees from injuries, infection and illness on the job.

Many infections are most commonly transmitted through direct contact, when an infectious agent is transferred to someone who is susceptible through physical contact with someone who has already contaminated. Contaminated surfaces don't always have to be a person through. They can also be instruments, medical equipment, door knobs, examination tables, bed rails and other medical equipment. Sterilization programs are key to preventing the spread of such illnesses and infections.

Continue reading "North Carolina Healthcare Awards Illustrate Medical Industry's Work-Accident Risks" »

Some of the most common work accidents in Greenville and elsewhere are transportation accidents. For many of us, driving is the most dangerous thing we'll do all day. Every time we get behind the wheel, we're at risks for a fatal accident, regardless of how safe our driving habits are.

Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are working to help to give employers some guidelines to help to reduce the risks of motor vehicle accidents on the job.

According to accident reports, someone is killed in a traffic accident every 12 minutes and someone is injured in these same incidents every 10 seconds. Every 5 seconds, there's a traffic accident somewhere in the country. Many of these accidents happen during the workday or during the commute to and from work. Employers bear much of the costs for injuries that occur both on and off the job.

Why Employers Should Focus on Transportation Accidents:

-To help to protect workers and to reduce their risks of such serious accidents.

-To help to protect the company's human and financial resources.

-To help to protect potential company and personal liabilities that are associated with accidents involving workers who driving on company time.

Each year, traffic accidents cost employers nearly $100 billion. These costs include medical care, legal expenses, property damage as well as productivity costs. These accidents drive up the costs of benefits, like workers' compensation, private health and disability insurance as well as Social Security.

A single traffic accident costs an employer and average of about $17,000. When a worker has a work-related traffic accident with an injury, the cost to the employer shoots up to about $75,000. Costs can exceed $500,000 when a fatality is involved.

Employers are urged to create and enact on-the-job policies for their driving employees. These policies should include:

-Prohibiting the consumption of drugs or alcohol during work hours.

-Banning text message and cell phone use for employees behind the wheel.

-Limiting the number of consecutive hours that a worker can spend driving in a day.

-Making sure that all drivers are properly licensed for the vehicles they're operating.

-Properly maintaining and inspecting work vehicles on a regular basis.

-Rewarding drivers with safe driving records and safe driving habits.

-Requiring all drivers to wear a seat belt during every trip.

Continue reading "Driving Employees Face High Risks of Work Accidents in Greenville and Elsewhere" »