North Carolina Workers' Compensation Lawyers Blog

As we head into the summer season, students throughout the state will be let out of school for their summer break. During this time, many students will be out in the working world and will be on the hunt for a summer job. It's during this season that we also see an increase in the number of teen work accidents in Rock Hill and elsewhere.

In 2010, there were nearly 17 million employees across the United States who were under the age of 24-years-old. Our Rock Hill workers' compensation attorneys understand that this young age group of employees accounted for nearly 15 percent of the country's workforce.

Unfortunately, this young age group has a high rate of injury on the job because they typically hold occupations in which hazards are common, like in restaurant settings. In addition to the dangers that can be found in their work environments, the inexperience of these young workers also makes them likely to be the victim of a work-related accident, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The younger the worker the more obstacles they must overcome on the job, including inadequate strength, fit, cognitive abilities, etc.

During this time, parents are urged to talk with teens about the rights that they have on the job:

-To work in a healthy and safe place.

-To be adequately trained for job-required tasks.

-To be paid at least the minimum wage for work completed.

-To work without the fear of being harassed or discriminated against.

-To ask for changes in the workplace because of medical conditions or religion beliefs.

-To help someone who may be investigating the workplace for possible violations.

-To start or join a union.

Parents should also discuss employer responsibilities:

-To provide a healthy and safe workplace.

-To provide the necessary safety gear for each employee.

-To adequately train all employees.

-To talk with employees about hazards that may be found on the job.

Lastly, parents are urged to talk with teens about their responsibilities at work:

-Ask for all of the training needed to completely the job safely.

-Know and understand all of the safety procedures.

-Look out for coworkers' safety.

-Respect coworkers.

-Never take shortcut.

-Find out what to do if there's a work-related injury or accident.

-Report and dangers or hazards to the supervisor.

There were nearly 340 workers under the age of 24-years-old who were killed in work-related accidents in 2009. Nearly 30 of these fatalities occurred to workers under the age of 18-years-old. Parents are urged to make sure that the young worker in their family understands and recognizes their rights in the workplace to help to reduce their risks of a serious or fatal work-related accident.

Continue reading "Teens' Risks for Work Accidents in Rock Hill and Elsewhere through Summer" »

For a teenager or young adult, having a job can instill confidence, responsibility, independence - and the extra spending money doesn't hurt either.

However, a job can also mean risking a work-related accident in Anderson and elsewhere in South Carolina, especially if they're not knowledgeable about their rights as worker.

There were nearly 18 million workers under the age of 24 in the U.S. in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These younger workers accounted for nearly 15 percent of the workforce during the year.

These young workers have substantially higher work injury rates than their older counterparts. This is at least partially explained by the fact that these workers are often placed in menial or lower-skilled labor jobs, where there are a greater number of hazards present.
Restaurants, for example, are a popular employer of younger workers. In this industry, workers face dangers associated with cooking equipment, knives and slippery floors.

Younger workers are also affected to some extent by inexperience or a lack of training. But it is the duty of the employer to ensure these younger workers are adequately trained and protected from potential injury.

Our Anderson workers' compensation attorneys understand that the younger a worker is, the more likely they are to face certain obstacles that increase their risks for an accident. Some of these include inadequate strength and cognitive abilities to operate certain equipment.

Our focus here on young workers stems from the fact that they'll soon be out looking for summer jobs. We'd like to help parents help their teens safe on the job.

In 2009, there were nearly 340 employees under the age of 24 who were killed in work-related accidents. This includes about 30 fatalities among workers who were under the age of 18.

From 1998 to 2007, there were nearly 800,000 injuries to these young workers. Every single one of them wound up in a hospital emergency room. The injury rate for these young workers is actually about twice as high as the rate for workers older than 25.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's South Carolina Edition of TalkingSafety, about 80 percent of teens work by the time they finish high school. Each year, about 53,000 are injured on the job. Unfortunately on-the-job safety is one of the last things on the minds of these young workers. That's why TalkingSafety is helping these young workers to ask questions and to make demands on their employers. Teen workers should be able to recognize hazards in any workplace, as well as understand how these risks can be mitigated. TalkingSafety is asking parents to talk with their teens about what their rights are as an employee and what they should expect from an employer. Urge your working teen to speak up about dangers and risks that they observe in the workplace. They may be young, but they are still entitled to a safe working environment. Let's help to protect these workers and help them through another successful summer of work.

Continue reading "Job Injuries in Anderson Increase for Working Teens" »

As you know, portions of our state were recently slammed with a snowstorm. As much as 9 inches of snow was dumped in areas of West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina, according to the Los Angeles Times. The storm left the coast midweek, leaving storm clean-up and power crews to deal with the mess -- as well as the risks associated with working in these dangerous conditions.

With the conditions that were left by the snow storm, workers are facing increased risks for work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses. Power workers are in charge of cleaning up downed power lines and storm cleanup workers in charge of getting the debris cleaned up and the roadways back in working order. With the icy conditions, workers are facing risks for some serious winter-related work injuries in North Carolina.

Our North Carolina workers compensation lawyers understand that employees who work in winter storm cleanup efforts run the risk of experiencing frostbite, hypothermia, wind chill, being electrocuted by downed power lines, being crushed by collapsing structures and transportation-related accidents. Luckily, there are simple steps that employers and employees can take to help to reduce these risks. Employers and employees are asked to keep an eye on one another when working in these dangerous conditions to make sure that everyone is safe. Safe work practices are a group effort.

Dangers associated with working in winter storms, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):

-Traffic accidents because of slippery roadways.

-Slips and falls because of slick walkways.

-Carbon monoxide poisoning.

-Frostbite, hypothermia and other cold weather exposure-related illnesses and injuries.

-Being hit by a falling object, including utility poles, tree limbs and icicles.

-Electrocution from downed power lines.

-Falls from heights.

-Collapsing roofs.

-Burns from fires and active power lines.

-Exhaustion.

-Dehydration.

-Back injuries from clearing snow.

Frostbite and hypothermia may be one of the most common injuries experienced in these types of winter work scenarios, but luckily there are simple steps that you can take to reduce the risks.

How to avoid hypothermia and frostbite:

-Eat warm and high-calorie foods, like pasta.

-Drink warm water. Sweet drinks are the best, like sport-type drinks or sugar water. You want to avoid drinks with caffeine during this time.

-Always use the buddy system so you can keep an eye on one other. Never venture out by yourself.

-Avoid overworking yourself. Energy is needed to keep your muscles loose and warm.

-Work during the warmest time of the day.

-Take frequent breaks in warm areas to let the body warm itself up.

-Layer your clothing to help yourself adjust to the changing temps. Peel off layers as the temps warm up.

-Make sure employees are trained to recognize and deal with cold-induced injuries and illnesses.

Continue reading "North Carolina Work Accidents Spike after Recent Snow Storm" »

You may remember the tragic story of the college student who was fatally injured at a college football practice last year while filming the team's practice. The student was employed by the University of Notre Dame but was not properly trained about how to operate the scissor lift, which contributed to the fall accident that took the young man's life.

Asheville workers' compensation attorneys see so many red flags associated with this particular work accident. Young workers must be properly trained when they are required to operate dangerous equipment, especially if weather or other factors can cause a severe or fatal injury to occur.

Scissor lifts are large pieces of equipment powered by hydraulics which contain a platform that is raised and lowered by a scissor motion below its base. Without proper training of safety precautions, scissor lift-related accidents in Charlotte, or elsewhere are quite common, especially when performing job responsibilities in an outside environment. The college student raised the lift upwards of 39 feet into the air during a practice that entailed wind gusts of over 50 mph. The lift was blown over and killed the young man.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a hazard alert to organizations following this incident. Employers and young workers should be familiar with the following hazards related to using a scissor lift if you are required to use equipment to complete your job responsibilities:

-High winds or inclement weather conditions can cause the lift to fall over.

-The lift can fall over when it is positioned on uneven ground or in a particularly soft area due to excessive amounts of rain.

-Weighted objects on the platform can cause the lift to fall over.

-A worker may fall off the platform if no personal protective equipment or guard rails are being used.

Not only are workers at risk of fall accidents from a raised scissor lift, they can also be subject to electrocution hazards. A worker that comes into contact with electrical lines while standing on the platform is at severe risk of being electrocuted.

Employers have a responsibility to take the necessary precautions to keep workers of any age safe while performing job duties. The following initiatives must be taken to prevent scissor lift-related work accidents:

-Inspect the equipment before it is about to be used by a worker.

-Stay away from parking the apparatus near slopes, holes or ground obstructions.

-Park the scissor lift at least 10 away from electrical lines upon its full extension.

-If rain, sleet, snow or wind is expected, prohibit workers from using a scissor lift.

-Make sure the lift is limited two one or two people using minimal equipment.

-Provide workers with fall protection such as a harness to prevent them from falling off the platform to ground level. Always make sure guard rails are in place before using the equipment.

-The scissor lift must be tested, inspected and maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

-Train all employees on how to properly use the equipment. Never permit an untrained employee to use the scissor fork in a raised position.

Continue reading "North Carolina Scissor Lift Accidents Common at Work When Employees in Charlotte, Asheville are Not Trained Properly " »

A teenage worker from Charlotte was recently killed in a backhoe accident at a South Carolina construction site. The Republic reports the 18-year-old was working at the future site of the Giordana Velodrome, a 250-meter track with embankments measuring as steep as 40-degrees. The construction worker, employed by Indian Trail-based Kempf Contracting, was injured and taken to Piedmont Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. South Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials are conducting an investigation into the cause of death and the events surrounding the accident.

Workers' compensation lawyers in Asheville, Winston-Salem and throughout North Carolina know that many workers risk their lives daily while performing their work tasks, especially in the construction industry. Employers must be vigilant about training young workers or new hires on how to operate certain equipment to avoid a preventable accident at work.

A high percentage of construction jobs require workers to operate large pieces of machinery. Operators of heavy equipment should be required by their employer to take annual Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety training. Any worker who is not trained on how to operate a backhoe or other large piece of equipment safely is at considerable risk of injury, and the employer can be fined for company negligence when an accident occurs.

Beyond crucial training on how to operate construction equipment, there are some things that backhoe operators should keep in mind while they perform their daily work tasks. Backhoe operators should always check the equipment for proper functioning before starting a task. Check the equipment to make sure lights and signals are functioning properly, as well as connections, tires and guards are tight and ready for safe operation. Anything that is not in working order should be repaired before starting the engine. Backhoe operators should always check their surroundings before they begin a task. This includes checking the area for obstacles or other workers who might be trying to complete a task at the same time.

Additional backhoe safety tips include:

-Park backhoes on level ground as opposed to an incline or slope. Make sure to lower the backhoe and bucket to the ground. Always block the wheels, take the key out of the ignition and engage the parking brake when leaving at the end of the day.

-Workers are at risk of being crushed when the backhoe moves upward, so always make sure the hitch lock-down device is in place.

-Know the location of underground cables, water pipes, or gas lines before you start digging. A signal person can help determine obstacles and help you avoid contact while you are digging.

-Reduce speed of the machinery while operating to avoid rollover accidents.

-Make sure other workers steer clear from the backhoe swing area.

-Keep the weight of the machine balanced while working on slopes.

Continue reading "Backhoe Accident at South Carolina Construction Site Kills 18-Year-Old From Charlotte" »

Our Statesville workers' compensation attorneys want to remind young workers in the restaurant industry to make sure your employer is providing proper training and a safe work environment for you and your co-workers. The restaurant industry is one of the largest part-time and full-time employment sectors but it doesn't fall short from certain hazards like slips and falls, burns, cuts, exposure to hazardous chemicals and electrical hazards.

Many restaurants and food establishments hire young workers for serving, cooking, dishwashing and other responsibilities. These teens need to be properly trained on what to do since, for most, it is their first job outside of the home.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration recently announced a partnership with Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC-United) to help address workplace safety issues in the restaurant industry, specifically focusing on burn hazards, fall accidents, and cut or laceration dangers.

More than 11 million people in the United States are employed in restaurants, bars or other eating establishments. Some of these workers, almost 30 percent, are teenagers. Young workers aren't always familiar with the ins and outs of work safety so training is vital in keeping work injuries to a minimum. We posted about required rules for teen employment last month on our North Carolina Workers' Compensation Lawyers Blog where we also noted that roughly 50 teens die annually from occupational injuries in Charlotte and throughout the country.

ROC-United is a national organization that helps restaurant workers to improve work conditions and coordinate initiatives for worker safety. In forming a partnership with OSHA, the goal is to provide fact sheets and a safety and health booklet explaining dangerous exposures to cuts, burns and other restaurant-related injuries. In addition, the Alliance hopes to present case studies to workers and employers about lessons learned in this industry, and offer training tips that can help eliminate dangerous hazards.

OSHA has created an eTool for youth worker safety in the restaurant industry. Hazards can occur in all aspects of the industry including serving, clean-up, drive-thru windows, cooking, preparing food and food delivery.

The following are some of the hazards that young workers are exposed to while performing duties in the restaurant industry:

-Serving: strains from lifting or balancing, cuts from sharp knives or broken glass, burns from serving hot plates, verbal abuse or violence from customers.

-Clean-up: electrocution while mopping a wet floor near an improperly wired outlet, exposure to hazardous cleaning chemicals, trip accidents while trying to carry dishes or heavy trays.

-Cooking: eye injuries caused by oil splashing from a deep fryer, pains from standing on feet for long periods of time or exposure to open flames and burn injuries from catching on fire.

Young workers who take the initiative of asking questions and getting trained properly can reduce the risk of suffering a serious and possible life-changing injury.

Continue reading "Young Workers in Restaurant Industry Require Training to Help Avoid Work Injuries in Statesville, Elsewhere" »

In a recent U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) press release a company was fined heavily and cited for numerous safety violations after a work-related amputation occurred there earlier this year.

Our North Carolina workers' compensation lawyers in Greensboro know properly installed safety guards are crucial in preventing life-changing workplace tragedies.

The Ice Industries Grenada facility in Grenada, Miss., was inspected after OSHA was notified about a work-related amputation. The company was issued 26 safety citations with monetary penalties of $113,400. The Grenada plant falls under OSHA's Hazardous Machinery National Emphasis Program, which is designed to target facilities with a high probability of workplace amputation hazards. This facility forms, assembles and stamps heavy metal parts for various industries.

Among the 24 serious violations were:

-Numerous electrical hazards and fall hazards.

-Defective equipment not being taken out of service.

-Exit doors improperly installed and lacking required signage.

-Not having safety guards on equipment.

Additional violations included not anchoring a grinding machine and not conducting inspections of overhead cranes often enough.

A spokesperson for OSHA was critical of the company for not having safety guards on extremely dangerous equipment. He emphasized that employers should be proactive in correcting amputation hazards and not wait for an injury to occur before something is done.

Common in many work environments, workers operate improperly or unguarded machinery. So it comes as no surprise that each year they suffer about 18,000 crushing injuries, amputations, lacerations, abrasions and more than 800 deaths. Often resulting in a permanent disability amputation, which is one of the most crippling and severe types of injury suffered in the workplace.

Safeguards to prevent injuries include:

-Prevent contact - no part of the worker's body should come into contact with a machine's moving parts.

-Secure - safeguards need to be securely in place so workers cannot remove or alter them.

-Protect from falling objects - safeguards must eliminate the possibility of anything falling into the moving parts of the machine

-Create no new hazards - safeguards should not be dangerous themselves. They shouldn't have sharp edges that could cause lacerations, for instance.

-Create no interference - safeguards can't obstruct a worker from doing his or her job. The safeguard should eliminate the risk of injury.

-Allow safe lubrication - safeguards should not interfere with machine lubrication. If they do, an alternate method needs to be established so maintenance workers aren't exposed to the moving parts.

In the news recently was an article reporting that trade groups want OSHA to discard a proposed regulation requiring employers to report on-the-job injuries within eight hours and amputations within 24 hours. Employee unions and OSHA feel this will make the workplace safer. However, employer associations like Printing Industries of America, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Grain and Feed Association and the Retail Industry Leaders Association disagree, expressing their concern of the additional cost of increased reporting.

Employers under the proposed rule would have to notify OSHA within eight hours of:

-All work-related fatalities and in-patient hospitalizations.

-All work-related amputations would need to be reported within 24 hours.

Currently, the law requires employers to notify OSHA within 8 hours of any workplace fatality and any in-patient hospitalizations of three or more workers at a time.

Continue reading "OSHA Cites Industrial Facility Lacking Worker Safeguards With $113,400 in Fines" »

As the school year gets underway many teens will be getting jobs or seeking holiday employment. Our Gastonia workers' compensation lawyers need you to know that employers have a special obligation and must obey strict rules when employing young workers.

Sadly, almost 50 teens a year die from injuries suffered at work. Recently on our North Carolina Workers' Compensation Blog we went over the changes to the Child Labor Regulations.

Let's do a quick recap of some youth employment rules:

-Anyone employing a youth under 18 must get from them a Youth Employment Certificate (YEC). You can retrieve a YEC online .

-An employer must keep the youth's YEC and produce it if asked by any person authorized to investigate a youth employment issue.

-An employer must keep the YEC even after the youth leaves for at least two years.

Hour Limitations for 14- and 15-year-olds:

-Teens are limited to 3 hours per day while school is in session and no more than eight hours per day when school is not in session.

-They can only work between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. when school is in session and until 9:00 p.m. from June 1 thru Labor Day when school is not in session.

-A maximum work week is 18 hours when school is in session or 40 hours when school is not in session.

-They can't work during school hours.

-After 5 consecutive hours worked they must get a 30-minute break.

In addition, 16 and 17-year-olds during the school year can't work between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am when there is school the next day unless written permission from the teens principal and parents is obtained by the employer. They also cannot work in hazardous/detrimental occupations as listed in Part 570 subpart E of Hazardous Occupations 29.

Here's a short quiz every young person should take about workplace safety and health and workers' rights.

-True or False? It's the law that your employer gives you training about safety and health hazards on your job.

True. Before starting your new job you should get training on how to do it safely. Training about dangerous chemicals and other safety and health issues at your workplace is a requirement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

-True or False? If you are under 16 there is a law that sets limits on how late you can work on a school night.

True. On a school night 14 and 15 year olds can only work until 7pm. Young workers ages 16 and 17 years-old in some states also have limitations on how late they can work. Child labor laws are designed to protect teens from working too long, too early, or too late.

-True or False? Can you drive a car on public roads if you are 16 years old as part of your employment.

False. 16 year-olds cannot drive on public roads; even 17 year olds have limitations. Teens who are 16 may not drive a car or truck on public streets as part of their job. A few states don't allow anyone under 18 to drive as part of their job.

-True or False? If you get hurt at work your medical care must be paid by your employer.
True. The law requires that your employer must supply workers' compensation benefits.

-How many teens get injured at the workplace in the U.S., one per day or one per hour or one every 10 minutes?
One every 10 minutes. At least 53,000 teens every year go to the emergency room for treatment due to a workplace injury. It is estimated that only one-third of teens injured at work need treatment, which means more than 100,000 additional teens are injured but don't go to the hospital.

This quiz is part of Youth @ Work-Talking Safety a curriculum designed to raise awareness among teens about occupational health and safety and give them the basic skills and knowledge needed to become active contributors in creating a safe and healthy workplace environment.

Continue reading "North Carolina Employers Required to Provide Training to Reduce Teen Injuries Occurring at Work in Gastonia, Asheville" »

Earlier this week, a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that employment for 16- to 24-year-olds increased by 1.7 percent from April to July.

July is usually the high point in youth employment, but this year it was at an all-time low. Almost 200,000 more youths were unemployed between April and July as compared to last year, but did not come close to the amount that were unemployed in 2008 and 2009. In those years, more than 1 million youths were out of work each year. The summer is when 16- to 24-year-olds actively start looking for jobs, usually for a summer job while school is out or college graduates starting their first real job. In July, this age group's labor force ballooned by 2.4 million.

Our North Carolina workers' compensation lawyers in Charlotte and elsewhere would like to review the changes the U.S. Department of Labor made last July to the Child Labor Regulations.

Major changes to Child Labor Regulation Number 3 Title 29 CFR 570, Subpart C for 14 and 15-year-olds employed in non-agricultural jobs:

Reg. 3 at §§ 570.33 and 570.34 - Regulation modified to make clear what 14- and 15-year-olds may do according to what the Secretary of Labor allows. These sections were also reorganized and differences between food service, retail and gas station businesses were removed. Also, two sections were made separating permitted and not permitted tasks allowed.

Reg. 3 at §§ 570.33(f) and (k) and 570.34(k) - Explains under what circumstance youths can travel inside and outside of passenger vehicle. Youths are now permitted to load and unload from vehicles hand tools and other personal items brought to a job site.

Reg. 3 § 570.33(i) - Makes clear when youths can work inside meat freezers and coolers. They can only briefly enter a freezer to get items but they can't enter any meat coolers.

Reg. 3 § 570.33(j) - Youths under 16 can not perform door-to-door sales and peddling. They also can't be 'sign wavers' unless it is done right in front of the company's business.

Reg. 3 § 570.33(l) - Youths can no longer participate in poultry cooping or catching.

Reg. 3 § 570.34(b) - Created a new occupation for work performed of a scholarly or imaginatively creative nature.

Reg. 3 § 570.34(l) - Allows properly certified and trained 15-year-olds to work as swimming instructors and lifeguards at pools and water parks. Includes in the regulation that youths under 16-years old can not work on water slides as a dispatcher or lifeguard at river, lake, beach, ocean, quarry or pier swimming facility.

Reg. 3 § 570.34(m) - Adds 14 and 15-year-olds can be employed at places of business which use power-driven equipment to process wood merchandise under certain conditions.

Reg. 3 § 570.35(a)(5) - Explains that Friday is included regarding the 3-hour work on a school day. Also defines that 'school hours' mean when the local public schools are in session

Reg. 3 § 570.35(b) - Makes employers use the same time period, 168 hours (24 hours x 7 days) for establishing compliance regarding child labor requirements as it does for determining employee overtime pay.

Reg. 3 § 570.37 - Forms a work-study program (WSP) for scholarly oriented youth. This program would permit youths to be employed during school hours, but with safeguards in place to make sure work didn't interfere with their health or education.

Major changes to Hazardous Occupations 29 CFR Part 570, Subpart E for 16- and 17-year-olds employed in non-agricultural jobs:

HO 4 - Increased prohibitions to consist of most work in: forest fire fighting and prevention that is done along with putting out a real fire; forest economics and forest marketing; and timber territory management.

HO 7 - Youths are banned from riding on, tending, repairing, working from, servicing, or dismantling a crane, elevator, derrick, hoist, manlift, or high-lift truck. The rule expanded the definition of high-lift vehicles to include skid loader, backhoes, skid-steer loader, front-end loaders, stacking trucks and Bobcat loaders. It also expanded the definition of manlift to ban use of scissor lifts, boom-type mobile elevating work platforms, cherry pickers, bucket trucks and basket hoists.

HO 10 - Youths can't work in a poultry slaughtering business or in businesses that make or process poultry or meat products. Youths under age 18 cannot clean any parts of power-driven meat processing machinery.

HO 11 - Permits youths to operate counter top mixers and under certain conditions operate pizza-dough rollers.

HO 12 - Youths are banned from operating and loading any type of compactors and balers including those not used or designed to process paper. They are permitted to load certain types of paper box and scrap paper balers and compactors.

HO 14 - Youths can not operate wood chippers, chain saws, reciprocating saws and abrasive cutting discs.

Continue reading "North Carolina Workers' Compensation Attorneys Review the Revised Child Labor Regulations" »

Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an alert cautioning employers and workers about the dangers of certain molded-case rebuilt circuit breakers from Eaton/Cutler-Hammer. These circuit breakers have model numbers E²KM and E²K and were rebuilt incorrectly which can cause them to malfunction.

Our North Carolina workers' compensation lawyers in Charlotte know that defective circuit breakers can cause fires, burns, explosions, shock, electrocution and arc flashes.

It is unknown how many defective units are out there and identifying them is difficult since they look like new or seem properly rebuilt. The manufacturer's specs were changed by the third party rebuilder.

The original Eaton/Cutler-Hammer breakers were part of their E² mining series. The easiest method to determine if you have one of these defective units is to feel with your finger the square portion of the cover near where the circuit breaker handle is.

If this area is very smooth, you most likely have a defective unit. The circuit breaker, if in use, must be taken out of service immediately. The OSHA alert explains that inaccurate voltage ratings are on the covers of the rebuilt circuit breakers.

Since the covers don't meet manufacturer's specs, they may lack safety features like fault and grounding protection to avoid electrical burns, fires and shocks. This presents an extreme risk for injuries to workers in North Carolina using these devices.

A specific instruction to employers on what to do if they have any E²K and E²KM breakers is in the alert. Employers must have an experienced person shut the power off to the breakers, adhere to proper lockout/tagout protocols, and take out of service any defective breaker and swap it with one that is Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) certified.

Even though the E²K and E²KM circuit breakers are meant to be utilized in mining operations, OSHA understands company's engaged in tunneling operations may buy the same circuit breakers. It is an OSHA requirement that workplaces use OSHA-approved NRTL certified circuit breakers.

Stay safe when working around electricity:

Safety reminders with extension cords
-Never modify cords.
-Always use extension cords that are the 3-wire type.
-Use strain relief fittings, cords and connection devices.
-Never unplug a cord by pulling on the cord.

Electrical Equipment
-Use GFCI's (ground-fault circuit interrupters) on all single-phase, 120-volt, 15 and 20 amp receptacles.
-Use clearly identified double-insulated equipment and tools.
-Check all electrical equipment prior to using. Take out of service any equipment that has missing ground prongs, frayed cords or cracked tool casings.

Overhead and Buried Power Lines
-Always look for overhead and buried power line indicators.
-Always assume that power lines are live and stay at a minimum of 10 feet away from overhead lines.
-When working near power lines ground or de-energize them.
-Never use metal ladders around power lines, use fiberglass or non-conductive wood ladders.

And always remember if the power goes out and you are using a generator never bring it inside. Always turn off the main circuit breaker while the generator is in use and make sure the generator is cool prior to refueling.

Continue reading "Circuit Breakers a Workplace Hazard Leading to Electrocution Injuries of North Carolina workers" »

Our Gastonia workers' compensation lawyers know that safety should always come first in any work environment and yet many employers care more about getting the work done than providing a safe place to work.

Protective equipment like eyewear, ear plugs or back braces can reduce the risk of injury, as well as, making sure work areas remain tidy, items are secured, tools and machinery are powered off when not in use and equipment used to perform job tasks are routinely checked for maintenance and repairs.

The National Safety Council is offering a variety of safety training courses to employees, supervisors and bosses to help reduce the number of work injuries in Charlotte and elsewhere in the country. The NSC is making it more convenient by offering these important courses online in order to help reduce travel cost, time and overall expenses, but still achieve the same knowledge as you would in a classroom setting.

One thing that can reduce the severity of workplace injuries is if everyone on staff is compliant with Occupational Safety & Health Administration's standards on first aid. Employers should require all employees, specifically those who work with tools and equipment, to take the NSC First Aid, CPR & AED Course, which teaches how to perform cardiac and breathing safety procedures in adults, children and infants. It also teaches how to identify illness and injury, how to stop bleeding, and how to prevent the transmission of disease.

Any job that requires a worker to be exposed to blood or hazardous pathogens routinely, like lab workers, paramedics or dentists are at a great risk of exposure and should take the Bloodborne & Airborne Pathogens course which instructs you on what to do if exposure occurs. Employers have a responsibility to not only keep the environment safe but to teach employees the risks involved and how to reduce the risks of exposure to fatal disease or illness during job performance.

Online defensive driving courses are offered to workers who operate a vehicle as part of their job performance. Vehicular accidents are the leading cause of fatalities at work nationwide. Courses are offered for general defensive driving, safe practices for truck drivers, fire truck operators and ambulance drivers responding to an emergency.
The NSC offers over 100 safety training courses online.

The following are a few examples of the courses that are offered and a brief description of what employees can learn.

• Asbestos Awareness: Workers can learn what asbestos are, three common types, diseases caused by exposure, and what symptoms to look for.


• Back Safety and Back Injury Prevention: Two related courses that teach about back injuries, what risks factors are involved, how to lift things properly to prevent back injuries and what posture and body mechanics can help keep your lower back healthy.


• Construction Safety Orientation: All types of injuries can occur at construction jobs so this course teaches about fall and ladder protection, equipment, hazardous areas and what safe practices can be performed to reduce the risk of injury at a construction site.


• Drug Testing Awareness: Teaches employees why drug testing is important, when to report prescription drug use, the advantages of a drug-free work environment and health defects that can occur from drug abuse.


• Eye Safety: Teaches workers what the most common hazards are and what type of protective gear should be worn to prevent vision problems.


• Hand & Power Tools: Since most jobs require some sort of tool to perform a task this class teaches employees how to handle tools, the different types of power tools and how to control hazards.


• Office Ergonomics: Musculoskeletal Disorder is a common risk in office jobs, so this course teaches office workers what ergonomics is, how to prevent problems, what adjustments can be made to your work environment and proper posture.


• Walking & Working Surfaces: This class teaches what hazards to look for like wall openings or floor holes and how to keep your work environment neat and organized to prevent work hazards.

If your employer doesn't offer safety training on site, request to take classes online that pertain to your work environment. It is the responsibility of your employer to put safety first and the NSC online courses are a convenient and cost effective way to teach employees safety through interactive video and real-life simulations.

Continue reading "Online Courses for Job Safety Training Can Help Reduce Injuries at Work in Gastonia" »

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 13 percent of the 17.5 million people in the workforce in 2010 was comprised of workers 23 or under. Our Greensboro workers' compensation lawyers know that lack of experience and failure to train properly puts young workers at a high risk of being injured on the job in North Carolina.

In 2009, the CDC reported 359 fatalities among young workers younger than 24 suffering from a work-related injury. That includes 27 deaths for workers younger than 18. From 1998 to 2007, there was an average of 795,000 work-related injuries for young workers treated at hospital emergency rooms each year. In fact, the injury rate is two times higher for this age group than 25 and older when it comes to work injuries requiring a trip to the emergency room.

Leisure and hospitality was the most popular industry for youth (ages 15-17) employment in 2009, with 44 percent of all youth employed in restaurants and other food service jobs. The retail trade industry accounted for 24 percent of all youth employment. Examples of injuries or illnesses that can occur in the restaurant industry are slipping or falling on wet floors, cuts from sharp utensils, burns or injuries from using hot stoves or grills, inhalation of cleaning aids or food poisoning. Some of the leading causes of injury in the retail business include lifting, handling heavy boxes or other objects, hand or power tools, slips, trips or falls.

Employers have a responsibility to provide young workers with proper training and a safe work environment. WorkSafeBC offers the following summer work accident prevention tips for employers offering jobs to young workers in the restaurant or retail industry:

Restaurant industry tips:

-Put up cautionary signs around wet floors or when spills occur. Emphasize that workers should keep floors clean and swept, keep garbage cans emptied and provide non-slip footwear to employees.

-Train young workers to choose the right knife for specific cutting jobs. Hold the knife with their dominant hand, cut away from their body, use a cutting board and store knives securely when they aren't in use.

-Provide employees with proper mitts or dry gloves when using hot pans or skillets. Train young workers about the dangers of overheating oil, to always open lids away from their body and don't let handles stick out away from the cooking service.

-Workers should never put wet utensils or drop anything into hot oil. Make sure no oil is dripped on the floor by allowing hot oil to drip completely off the frying basket before removal. Place anti-slip floor mats or treatments on surfaces where cooking is taking place.

-Instruct young workers not to strain when lifting heavy objects. Either ask for help or bend at the knees before lifting boxes or bags if a dollie or cart is not available.

Retail industry tips:

-Inform employees of all potential dangers involved with the job which can include: musculoskeletal injuries, falling off stepladders, hazardous products, power tools and equipment, sharp cutters, lifting and handling of heavy boxes or equipment.

-Keep working area clean and uncluttered.

-Instruct your employee to ask ask a supervisor for help if they don't know how to perform a task.

-Provide young workers with protective equipment and explain how each item should be worn or used during specific tasks.

-Instruct workers to check all tools or equipment before using for malfunction or cracks that can cause injury while working. Train employees on proper technique and how to operate all tools and equipment safely and responsibly.

Continue reading "Young Workers at High Risk of Greensboro Work Injuries" »

Our North Carolina workers' compensation lawyers in Statesville and elsewhere urge you to contact an experienced workers' compensation lawyer if you are involved in a work accident in North Carolina. Job injuries can lead to lost time from work or costly medical expenses that you can't afford. Let us relieve you of some stress by guiding you through this complex process.

Here are just a few of the many frequently-asked questions fielded by the North Carolina Industrial Commission :

-Does an employer have to provide workers' compensation coverage?

Yes, if they have three or more employees.

-What should I do if my employer does not have workers' compensation insurance?

You need to notify the NCIC Fraud Section and report that your employer does not have workers' compensation insurance or approved self-insurance.

-What should I do if I am injured on the job?

Immediately report the injury to your employer both orally and in writing.

-Who directs and provides my medical treatment?

The Commission orders your employer or its insurance company to direct and provide medical treatment. The Commission needs to approve an employee's request to change doctors prior to the change. Payments to the doctor are not guaranteed unless written permission to change physicians is obtained.

-What are the Chiropractic Rules?

Your employer can give you permission to go to a chiropractor up to 20 times for medical treatment. If more appointments are needed, your employer needs to approve them first.

-When am I eligible for lost wage compensation?

No compensation is paid for the first seven days unless the disability lasts longer than 21 days. If the disability does last longer than 21 days, then compensation for the first seven days are paid.

-How often are benefit payments made and at what rate of pay?

Usually payments are made on a weekly basis but the Commission can approve monthly payments. The rate of pay is about 67 percent of your weekly pay. For 2009, the maximum weekly pay was $816, which is adjusted annually.

-How long can I receive lost-time weekly benefits?

Current law stipulates until you are able to return to work.

-What is permanent partial disability and who determines it?

Partial or total loss of use of a member of the body or the lack of ability to earn what you did prior to the injury. The Commission decides with the assistance from the impairment ratings of doctors or proof of wage earning capacity.

-What happens if my employer refuses to acknowledge the claim?

When liability for payment of compensation is denied, the claimant, their attorney, the Commission and all health care providers will be notified of the reason for the denial. The denial form must explain in detail the exact reason for the denial of liability. You can file a "Request for Hearing" form if your claim was denied by the insurance company. You may be required to pay medical bills if the claim was deemed a non-compensable workers' compensation claim.

Injured or disabled workers should always seek the help of a legal professional if your claim is denied. Workers' compensation attorneys will fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.

Continue reading "North Carolina Workers Injured on the Job Get Answers to Frequently Asked Questions" »

Our North Carolina workers' compensation attorneys wish each of you a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July weekend.

For those of you on the job this weekend, including our law enforcement officers, construction crews and city and county park and recreation employees, we thank you for helping keep the roads and local fireworks displays and other activities safe and enjoyable for the thousands of residents and visitors who will be out enjoying the long holiday weekend.

Employees and citizens alike should plan to stay safe around fireworks this weekend. As News 14 reports, many types of fireworks are banned in North Carolina, including those that fly through the air, spin on the ground or explode. But even legal fireworks -- including sparklers, fountains, smoke bombs and snaps -- can cause serious injury. In other cases, an employee can be injured in a North Carolina fireworks accident when asked to handle fireworks or otherwise perform tasks to assist with a company or municipal function.

"We see a lot of hand injuries from fireworks exploding in their hands, or people think that the firework is a dud, so they go over to it to check on it, and then it goes off and it may go off in their face," emergency physician Amy Griffin said. "The other thing is sparklers. Even though they're fun and they're pretty, they're very hot, so we see kids with hand injuries and hand burns from the sparklers."

One-third of all fireworks accidents involve children under the age of 15 and nearly half injure young people under the age of 20, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The threat of a North Carolina fireworks injury to an employee or citizen is very real. The Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that about 200 people a day are injured by fireworks around the Fourth of July holiday. Each year, about 9,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for fireworks injuries.

The most frequent injuries occur to the hands, eyes, head, face and ears. Common injuries include burns, contusions, lacerations and foreign objects in the eye. Typical causes of fireworks injuries include high-grade fireworks used by consumers, operator error, being too close to fireworks, child curiosity and experimentation with homemade devices.

Continue reading "Employees, citizens at risk of North Carolina fireworks accidents" »

The current economy is reflected in the summer employment figures for teenagers released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The ratio of teenagers ages 16 to 19 who are expected to be employed this summer has declined from 57 percent to 32.9 percent. The economy has been particularly difficult for teenagers who need to work -- the unemployment rate has climbed from 21.8 percent to 25.4 percent over the last year.

Specific state and federal rules govern the employment of teenagers. With the economy in slow recovery, employers pretty much have their choice about who to hire and teenagers may feel additional pressure to keep a job to help pay for school, personal expenses and even family expenses. But when a teenager is injured on the job, an experienced North Carolina injury lawyer or workers' compensation attorney should be consulted. The University of North Carolina's Injury Prevention Research Center reports that at least 70 teens are killed each year in work-related accidents nationwide.

Common reasons teens are hurt on the job, include:

-They are asked to do dangerous jobs or use dangerous equipment

-Inadequate training

-Poor Supervision

-Unsafe equipment

-Working too many hours

-Working alone

-Unsafe work environments

Teenagers have a right to:

-Safety in the workplace

-Refuse to work if they feel unsafe

-Work the proper hours and types of jobs allowed by law

-Use safe and properly maintained equipment

-Receive proper training

-Be paid at least the minimum wage

-Receive workers' compensation benefits and payment for medical care if they are injured or get sick on the job

-Work in an environment free of racial and sexual harassment

North Carolina employment law generally prohibits minors from working in the following jobs:

-Explosives
-Mining
-Logging
-Operating many power-driven machines
-Operating a motor vehicle
-Working with dangerous material
-Meat packaging
-Manufacturing brick or tile
-Working with power saws
-Demolition
-Roofing
-Welding
-Excavation
-Machinery work in processing plants
-Working on ladders or scaffolding above 10 feet
-Electrical work
-Work in confined spaces
-Using a respirator
-Preparing or serving alcoholic beverages

Minors ages 14 and 15 can work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the school year and between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. during the summer. While school is in session, they can work up to 18 hours per week but are limited to three hours per day. During the summer, they cannot exceed 40 hours a week or 8 hours a day. Teens ages 16 and 17 are permitted to work anytime except between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on a school day.

Continue reading "North Carolina teen work accidents governed by specific labor laws" »