Georgia Workers Compensation Attorney Blog

Dust hanging in the air may seem to be a natural part of many workplaces. In metal shops, for example, there may be flakes, chunks, fibers or fine particles of metal such as magnesium and aluminum. In construction zones and in many industrial and commercial workplaces, it is also common to find various other dust and fibers hanging in the area, including plastic, wood, coal, rubber, sugar or flour or even paper.

Our Atlanta work accident lawyers know that dust can be dangerous for many reasons including the risks to workers when they breathe in dust particles. One risk that many may not think about, however, is the risk that this dust can be combustible. Although the potential dangers of a combustible dust fire may not be the first thing that you think about as a health concern in a dusty workplace, the danger is very real, and is a common cause of explosive fires in manufacturing settings.

Firefighters and emergency personnel must often confront the risk.

To draw attention to the risks of combustible dust fires and to help ensure that emergency workers are protected, Occupational Safety And Health Administration (OSHA) recently published new information on the issue. This booklet is called Firefighting Precautions at Facilities with Combustible Dust. The booklet is written for an audience of first responders who may find themselves responding to explosions and fires where combustible dust particles are present.

The Dangers of Combustible Dust Explosions
From 1980 through today, there have been more than 780 workers injured in combustible dust explosions and there have been more than 130 workers killed in tragic explosions involving combustible dust.

To prevent further injuries and deaths, OSHA advises that firefighters and other emergency responders should:

• Learn about the dangers of combustible dust through the use of safety data sheets (SDS). Employers of first responders and first responders themselves should consult these sheets to learn what types of materials can result in combustible dust. Knowing when an environment is likely to have such dust is very important to those responding to or fighting a fire.


• Conduct pre-incident reviews. Pre-incident reviews are appropriate when an environment or facility is very likely to produce combustible dust. A pre-incident review would involve an inspection of high-risk facilities so that emergency responders will know in advance about the conditions that they might find when a fire or explosion does occur.

Employers in workplaces where combustible dust may be produced also bear certain responsibilities in order to keep first responders safe. The use of a dust protection system, for example, is advised not just to help ensure workers avoid breathing dangerous dust on a regular basis but also to protect first responders. A dust protection system might include abort gates as well as relief vents if it is to protect first responders since these solutions make it possible for burning materials or pressure to be directed out of confined areas. A detection and suppression system may also be advisable.

If employers and first responders are able to understand the risks and take responsibility to ensure that those risks are minimized, fewer people will be injured or killed as a result of combustible dust.

Continue reading "Combustible Dust Fires - An Explosive Risk in Georgia Manufacturing" »

Construction projects often go into full swing during the spring and summer months, which is great news for workers looking to jump on projects and get some work done. However, with more work being performed, the risk of accidents increases. Construction sites can be dangerous places and workers are in danger of getting hurt in a number of different ways.

Our Atlanta work accident lawyers know that some of the top causes of workplace accidents on construction sites are fall accidents. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recently issued a Trade News Release about its efforts to prevent fatal falls in construction. The new efforts focus on raising awareness of the fall risk. OSHA also has a three part Fall Prevention Campaign of which every worker and employer should take notice.

The Steps to Fall Prevention
OSHA's national outreach campaign to raise awareness of falls on construction sites is directed towards both workers and employers. Workers can make a point to follow OSHA's tips for acting in a safe and responsible way when working at height.

However, ultimately the safety of a worksite is determined by an employer. An employer who provides top-quality equipment and who has adequate safety policies in place is going to have a major impact on reducing the risks of a fall. On the other hand, when an employer creates an unsafe workplace or allows safety violations, a worker could be in danger of falling no matter how careful he is when performing his job.

Employers, therefore, should be especially careful to pay attention to OSHA's tips for fall prevention. OSHA's three part plan for preventing falls on construction sites includes the following steps:

• Planning: Employers need to evaluate what safety equipment will be required to perform a job and should build the costs of the equipment into their bids. Employers must make all tools including the right equipment (and safe equipment) available on site. Workers should also plan ahead by making sure they have everything they need before getting started on doing any job.
• Providing. Employers must provide the right equipment to workers. This includes fall protection equipment, as well as the right types of safety gear, ladders and scaffolds.
• Training: Everyone on the job site should be trained in how to perform work safely. Workers need to be trained on how to use all of the equipment they need to use in order to do their jobs. There should also be training on the proper set-up of equipment and on hazard recognition.

OSHA has many materials that can be used by employers to offer training. Employers simply need to take the initiative to understand and comply with OSHA guidelines and to use the resources available to them. OSHA's new campaign to publicize fall dangers may encourage employers to be proactive about preventing workplace injuries, thus potentially saving workers' lives.

Continue reading "Atlanta Construction Accidents a Risk with Spring Weather" »

The U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration has issued a reminder to all employers regarding their responsibility to protect workers from potential carbon monoxide poisoning.

Our Atlanta workers' compensation lawyers know that this notice is especially raw for those in this city, less than two months after 43 elementary school children and six staff members were hospitalized due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Poisoning from carbon monoxide, which is a clear, odorless gas, can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, confusion and chest pain. In many cases where the poison was not detected in time, people have fallen into a coma and suffered brain damage and even died.

Thankfully, no one was left seriously ill, but it highlights the importance of installing carbon monoxide detectors - even when it's not necessarily required by law, as was the case for the school.

This is especially critical given the fact that large swaths of our state are beginning to experience colder conditions - meaning doors, windows and other potential ventilation sources will be more typically closed.

OSHA referenced a recent case out of New England, in which a warehouse employee was discovered seizing and unconscious on the floor of the facility. It was later revealed the cause was carbon monoxide.

Federal officials say workers die every year in this country as a result of similar circumstances - especially when employees are using some type of fuel-burning equipment and/or tools in structures or spaces where there isn't enough ventilation. It's not isolated to these instances, of course. The gas can emanate from sources such as compressors, power tools, gas generators, space heaters, welding equipment and furnaces - really anything that requires combustion to operate.

Some of the employees deemed most at-risk include:

• Welders;


• Firefighters;


• Longshore workers;


• Diesel engine operators;


• Marine terminal workers;


• Forklift operators;


• Toll booth attendants;


• Customs inspectors;


• Taxi drivers;


• Police officers.

One important thing employers can do is to increase education to help workers understand the signs of carbon monoxide and know what to do in the immediate aftermath. Employees should know that they need to immediately get the victim outside into fresh air. They should also immediately call 911 and attempt CPR if the person has stopped breathing.

Another that business leaders should make is to ensure effective ventilation in all work areas.

Appliances and equipment with the potential to produce carbon monoxide should be regularly maintained and in good working order.

If the business uses gas-powered equipment, employers might consider switching to battery or electric-powered tools instead. Gas-powered tools and engines should be off-limits in areas of the site that aren't well-ventilated.

Firms should also not overlook the value of carbon monoxide detectors with loud alarms. Even though most companies aren't required to do this, it's one of the best and most cost effective ways to immediately alert workers of danger.

Workers who have concerns about a lack of safety in this regard should discuss possible solutions with their employer. Workers also need to be mindful of situations where there is poor ventilation, especially where you have burning fuels. Anytime a worker begins to feel dizziness, fatigue or nausea, it should be immediately reported and treated seriously.

Continue reading "Atlanta Workplaces & Carbon Monoxide Dangers" »

In November, our Atlanta workers' compensation lawyers discussed the release of the Bureau of Labor Statistics data on workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities in 2011. The recently released data provided information on the number of workplace accidents, the number of fatalities, the industries most at-risk and the most common causes of worker injury.

The BLS data provides important insight into what worker safety issues need to be addressed and into the greatest risks presented to workers. In order to help improve worker safety and reduce the number of injuries and deaths that occur, it is helpful to take a look at some of the most common injury causes and to look at some steps that can be taken to minimize the risk of accident.

Contact with Objects and Equipment: A Serious Risk
According to the BLS table on Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure in 2011, contact with objects or equipment was the cause of 708 workplace fatalities in 2011. This means that contact with either objects or equipment was responsible for 15 percent of all workplace deaths that happened during the year. Some of the different types of contact included:

• Being struck by some type of equipment or object other than a powered vehicle caused 472 of the 708 deaths arising from equipment/object contact.


• Being struck by a discharged or flying object accounted for 24 of the 708 deaths.


• Being caught in or compressed by equipment or objects was responsible for 147 workplace deaths


• Being caught in running equipment or machinery was the cause of 119 deaths


• Being struck, caught or crushed in a collapsing structure, equipment or material was the cause of 84 deaths.

These statistics show that there are many ways a person can be harmed by machinery or equipment falling on him, compressing him or otherwise injuring him. These types of accidents can occur in any workplace but are especially common on construction sites and in industrial environments.

How to Stay Safe
Although injuries and deaths due to being caught in or crushed by objects are far too common, there are some things that workers and employers can do in order to try to avoid these types of injuries. For example:

• All manufacturer instructions should be followed with any equipment.


• Equipment and machinery should be examined and tested before use to ensure it is in good working order.


• Equipment and machinery should be properly maintained and used only by authorized, trained personnel.


• All OSHA requirements for using and maintaining equipment and machinery should be followed.


• Appropriate warning signs and labels should be posted when equipment and machinery are in use.


• Workers making use of machines or equipment should wear required safety gear and should refrain from wearing loose clothing that could become caught in machinery.

If employers have strict safety guidelines and policies in place and if workers are extra vigilant when machinery or equipment is in use, these efforts can help to reduce the risk of a death or injury due to contact with objects or equipment.

Continue reading "Contact with Objects and Equipment a Top Cause of Workplace Death" »

As we recently reported on our Georgia Workers' Compensation Attorney Blog, the number of work fatalities ha declined slightly through the long economic downturn. While officials are reporting less fatal work accidents, they're also predicting a turn in this trend with the improving economy.

About 5,000 employees who were killed at work in 2011. That's down close to 2 percent from the previous year. T

Our Atlanta workers' compensation attorneys note the Bureau of Labor Statistics new numbers show 3 million workers were injured on the job in the United States in 2011. This means that 3.5 workers were injured for every 100 equivalent full-time employee. You might not think that's a lot, but when you factor in the millions of workers we have in the country -- it adds up. What's most alarming is that everyone's at risk. There's not a safe industry out there!

2011 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses:

-The rate of injury and illnesses that resulted in rob transfer among the private industry dropped in 2011.

-All industries, aside from private, saw unchanged rates of injuries and illnesses that resulted in job transfer or days away from work.

-There was a spike in the number of injuries and illnesses among those who were employed in the fishing, forestry, agriculture and hunting industry. This sector was only one of two that saw an increase from 2010 to 2011. Many believe that this increase is the result of both crop and animal production.

-The rate for injuries and illnesses spiked for those in the food and accommodation services.

-The residential care and the nursing home sectors experienced declines in their rates for injuries and illnesses. Officials believe this decline is the direct result of the decline in both residential care facilities and in nursing homes.

-Manufacturing was the only private sector that saw a job transfer rate to be greater than the rate of cases in which employees took days off of work. This is a near 15-year trend however.

-Overall, those in the private industry got to enjoy a decrease in its rate of injury. There was a rate of less than 3.5 cases for every 100 full-time workers.

-The rate of injury and illnesses for those employed within the local and state government was more than 5.5 cases for every 100 full-time workers. This rate continues to sit alarmingly higher than many other injury rates.

More than 40 states participate in the collection of these statistics. The number of these incidents declined in 7 states, increased in 1 state and stayed the same in the rest of the 32 states. Don't take the declines and the steady results as a sign of relief though, as officials predict an increase in accident rates. As more and more workers clock back in, the risks skyrocket. Make sure that everyone at your work site is doing what they can to help to make sure that everyone's safe and stays out of an accident.

Continue reading "Georgia Work Injuries: Government Releases Accident & Illness Stats for 2011" »

The workforce is getting safer and less people are dying on the job, according to a recent report from CNN Money. But it's not expected to last. As our economy continues to improve and more Americans head back to work, the number of fatal work accidents is expected to rise.

According to the most recent statistics released last week from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were more than 4,600 workers who were killed on the job in the U.S. last year.

That's down more than 1.5 percent from 2011. In 2010, there were close to 4,700 people who were killed on the job, which is an increase of more than 20 percent increase compared to 2001.

Our Atlanta workers' compensation lawyers understand that the number of workplace deaths has dropped through the recent economic downturn. But regardless of the status of our economy or how many people might be employed, it's an employer's responsibility to make sure that workers are safe on the job.

Work hazards are federally required to be minimized if not eliminated and employees must be provided with the proper safety equipment and safety training to perform each duty safely. This is especially important as the economy recovers because as more people head back to work, some of the newcomers will lack experience and will be more likely to be injured on the job.

The Department of Labor reports that the most common dangerous workplace activity was driving. Traffic accidents accounted for about 40 percent of all on-the-job fatalities. As a matter of fact, more truckers were killed on the job than any other job position.

Just last year, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a new set of rules to try to improve road safety for truckers. They aimed to cap the time that a driver is allowed to stay behind the wheel. Truckers are now only allowed to drive eight consecutive hours before that have to take a 30-minute break. These drivers are also prohibited from driving more than 70 hours in a week.

Although a smaller number of these workers are killed on the job, fishermen have the highest fatality rate of all U.S. workers -- more than 120 fatalities per 100,000 workers. That's more than five times that of truck drivers.

Key Findings in the 2011Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary:

-The number of fatal work accidents in the private construction sector is down about 5 percent.

-Violence and other injuries by people or animals accounted for close to 800 work-related fatalities.

-Coal mining fatalities fell to 17 in 2011 from 43 in 2010.

-Fatal work accidents in the private truck transportation increased by close to 15 percent in 2011.

Continue reading "2011 Fatal Work Accidents Highlight Risks for Georgia Employees" »

The workforce has come a long was in the United States and we're approaching Labor Day to celebrate those successes. Labor Day is always held on the first Monday in September.

Labor Day is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American employees. That first Monday constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions that employees around the nation have made to the prosperity, strength and well-being of the United States of America, according to the United States Department of Labor.

Our Atlanta workers' compensation attorneys would also like to use this time to make sure that all workers are aware of their rights on the job. Part of being an American worker means that you are to be provided with a safe work environment. Going to work every day shouldn't mean that you have to worry about your safety. Employers are required to make sure that employees are provided with the proper compensation and benefits should they be injured on the job. Fighting for work rights is still a common battle in the country and oftentimes requires assistance from a legal professional.

Over 100 years ago, Americans observed the very first Labor Day. While the details are fuzzy, some reports indicate that Peter J. McGuire, with the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners as well as an American Federation of Labor co-founder, first suggested that we designate a day to honor workers.

Regardless of the debates about who started the holiday, the very first one was celebrated on the 5th of September of 1882. It was celebrated in New York City and was scheduled in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union.

Today, Labor Day is a nationally recognized holiday. Many of us might think it's just a day where we get to skip out on work, but it means so much more.

In the first official proposal for the Labor Day holiday, officials requested a parade to help show the public the country's true appreciation for the work and effort of its citizens. After the parade, there was a festival and a number of other events to occupy and entertain workers in the area. This was the sketch for hundreds of Labor Days to come.

Labor Day is used to remember and enforce the highest standard of living and the greatest team of production that the world may ever see. And it's all a result of the American standard, tradition and dedication. For this reason, we dedicate an entire day to what American citizens have given back to the country with the traditional ideals of economic and political democracy.

Our Atlanta workers' compensation attorneys would like to wish you and your family a Happy Labor Day weekend. We hope you enjoy that Monday off of work and that you celebrate your long weekend safely!

Continue reading "Happy Labor Day from our Georgia Workers' Compensation Attorneys" »

Two Georgia companies have been cited by the regional office for the Occupational Safety & Health Administration for putting employees at risk - in one case, resulting in death.

Atlanta workers' compensation lawyers know that employers have a moral and legal obligation to protect workers. The guidelines vary depending on the industry, but it's a responsibility that they are required to take seriously. When they don't, the result can be tragic.

Such was the case at a steel wire plant in Flowery Branch, where a worker was killed after he was caught in moving wire and subsequently pulled into rotating rolls.

The death prompted OSHA officials in the regional Atlanta office to investigate claims of unsafe working conditions. The worker died March 3, and investigators conducted an inspection immediately thereafter.

Investigators discovered one willful violation, 13 serious violations and five other-than-serious violations.

A willful violation is one in which the employer either knowingly puts workers in harms' way or has a blatant disregard or plain indifference for the law. The company in this case was found to have failed to affix guardrails to the machine that ultimately killed this worker. There were also rotating parts on equipment throughout the plant, and workers were not provided protection from these.

Serious violations are those that occur when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical injury could occur from the hazard that an employer knew about or should have known about. For this employer, those violations included failure to:

• Provide an emergency eyewash station;
• Train authorized employees of hazardous energy sources;
• Properly label tanks and drums with corrosive materials;
• Protect employees from fall hazards.

Plus, the company failed to regularly inspect its equipment for safety or provide certain protective equipment, such as respirators.

As OSHA noted in its final report, the death of this worker was 100-percent preventable. As such, the company was fined about $145,000 and placed in the agency's "Severe Violator Program," which requires numerous, detailed government inspections to ensure compliance with government safety standards.

Another inspection at a recycling plant in Gainesville, Ga., thankfully was not prompted by a serious injury or death - but for all its violations, it's a small wonder.

OSHA reported that the recycling company had 23 health and safety violations, including:

• Failure to create a lockout/tagout program for the control of energy sources during maintenance work;


• Exposing workers to welding fumes above the permissible limit;


• Allowing damaged forklifts to be operated;


• Improper installation of outlet boxes;


• Exposing workers to numerous fall and other hazards.

As a result, OSHA is recommending a $75,000 fine for these violations.

Each of these companies has 15 days to comply with the agency's instructions or to contest the findings.

Workplace safety violations are not a minor problem. As illustrated here, they can have real and serious repercussions. If you see something, say something.

Continue reading "OSHA Cites Two GA Firms for Workplace Safety Violations " »

OSHA has cited Thompson Plastics Inc., of Georgia, with 11 health and safety violations and proposed fines of more than $162,000.

Violations include failure to periodically inspect lockout/tagout procedures, which are designed to prevent machines from starting up unexpectedly. According to the OSHA press release, the company also failed to adequately address fall hazards and the dangers of high-decibel noise in the workplace.

"Thomson Plastics previously was cited for some of the same violations found during this recent inspection and is aware of what needs to be done to protect its workers," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration considers in particularly egregious when a company is cited for a repeat violation, and with good reason: Atlanta workers' compensation attorneys understand that employees are often injured in the workplace by known hazards, or as a result of lax safety standards that could have been easily corrected.

A Hartwell, Georgia company, Tenneco Automotive Operation Co. Inc,, was also cited last week for 16 health and safety violations, carrying a proposed total of nearly $80,000 in fines. Among the violations were improper hazardous material handling, trip and fall hazards, and failure to provide adequate rules for respirator usage.

In this case, the chemical in question was hexavalent chromium, exposure to which OSHA reports may result in an increased risk for the development of lung cancer.

Hexavalent chromium compounds can irritate the lungs, nose and throat. Damage to the eyes and skin have also been noted.

An estimated 5 million workers wear respirators in more than a million workplaces in the United States. Breathing protection helps protect workers against harmful dusts, smoke, fogs, mists, gases, vapors and sprays. In many cases, unprotected or prolonged exposure may result in various cancers, lung diseases and death. OSHA estimates full compliance across all industries could avert hundreds of deaths and thousands of workplace injuries each year.

OSHA's General Industry Rules (29 CFR 1910) outline protection requirements, as well as requirements for fitting, seal checks and cleaning. Special rules exist in shipyards, marine terminals, longshoring and construction. Employers must also address airborne hazards through other effective workplace controls (such as exhaust fans). Respirators may not be used to alleviate an employer's obligation to reduce airborne contaminants below acceptable occupational exposure levels whenever possible.

Common side-effects that may result in exposure include:

-Lung damage

-Central nervous system damage

-Cancer

-Cardiovascular damage

-Sudden death

OSHA reports new fit and training requirements instituted by the agency in 1998 reduced exposure risks in the workplace by 27 percent -- preventing an estimated 4,000 workplace illnesses and injuries and about 1,000 deaths each year. Employees who are at-risk have the right to a workplace that is in compliance when it comes to state and federal respirator requirements.

Continue reading "Respirator Protection Violation Among Citations Given Georgia Companies" »

Spurill Products Inc. was recently cited for more than 25 safety and health violations for exposing workers to risks of work accidents in Atlanta. The company's manufacturing facility in Atlanta was under investigation starting in January as a part of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Site-Specific Targeting Program.

This program directs enforcement efforts and resources to work areas that have reported higher-than-average rates of on-the-job injuries, illnesses and fatalities. All of the fines totaled more than $86,000.

The company was slapped with 5 repeat violations. These violations included neglecting to make sure that workers were wearing both eye and face protection, for failing to create and enforce "lockout/tagout" procedures for the energy sources of equipment before workers were going to perform maintenance and service duties, for neglecting to provide employees with the proper training and for not using the proper safeguard equipment on band saws, press brakes and presses.

Our Atlanta workers' compensation lawyers understand that the company was also cited for letting employees do work on floors in the paint area that were covered with slippery liquids and coating. All of these citations came with proposed fines of nearly $40,000. The government says all of these violations were repeat violations, meaning that the company or the employer had already been cited for these same, or very similar, violations at least once in the last 5 years. Some of the same violations were recorded by this company back in 2008.

Employers are required, under federal law, to make sure that dangers and hazards on the work site are minimized. When risks are blatantly ignored, not only do they run the risks for being busted by federal officials and slapped with appropriate fines, but they also run the risks of injuring employees. Workers need to be aware of their rights and need to speak up if they observe dangerous working conditions.

The company was also slapped with another 16 violations for:

-Neglecting to enact a comprehensive hearing conservation program.

-Neglecting to provide the proper medical evaluations for employees who wore tight-fitting respirators.

-Neglecting to make sure that workers were provided with the proper hand protection while they were handling phosphoric acids and powder paints.

-Neglecting to provide employees with an emergency eye-wash station.

-Neglecting to properly store acetylene and oxygen cylinders.

-Neglecting to provide employees with the proper training regarding chemical hazards.

-Exposing workers to a number of trip and fall hazards.

-Neglecting to safe guard machinery.

-Improperly using relocatable power taps to power industrial equipment.

All of the listed citations came with fines totaling more than $47,500. All of these serious violations are the result of a hazard that the employer knew of or should have known about.

"Employers are responsible for ensuring that employees have a safe and healthful work environment," said OSHA's Atlanta Area Office Director, Bill Fulcher.

Continue reading "Company Fined for Ignoring Risks of Work Accidents in Atlanta" »

Traffic-related accidents are the leading cause of death and injury for workers in the country. As our Atlanta workers' compensation attorneys have been discussing recently, the National Safety Council (NSC) is raising awareness about the leading causes of unintentional injuries on the job through National Safety Month.

During the last week of the campaign, from June 24th through the 30th, officials focused on workers who sit behind the wheel. Driving is actually one of the most dangerous tasks that each of us will do each day, whether it's for work or for pleasure. The NSC is here to reveal some important safety tips that can help to eliminate the risks for these kinds of accidents.

About 25 percent of all car accidents in Atlanta and elsewhere are the result of a driver being on a cell phone. Many companies across the United States have enacted cell phone policies in their workplace to keep driving employees from being distracted by mobile devices. These policies are in place to protect the employee and to help to reduce the risks of accidents. Drivers are asked to place their cell phone on silent, to turn it off, to put it in the back seat or to store it in the glove box while traveling. Keeping your phone out of sight and out of mind will help to reduce the temptations of using it while in the driver's seat.

Safety officials also encourage drivers to change their cell phone's voicemail to alert callers that they may have missed their call because they were driving. If you must take a phone call, or even make one, you're urged to pull over, bring your car to a stop and then continue doing so.

More Safety Tips for Driving Employees:

-Always wear your seat belt. Seat belts can help to determine who will walk away from an accident and who will not. Make sure that everyone in the vehicle is buckled in.

-Avoid taking medications that can alter your abilities behind the wheel. Many medications and even over-the-counter prescriptions can hinder your ability to drive.

-Make sure you know where you are going and how you're going to get there before you start the car.

-Keep your emotions in line. If you're feeling frustrated or agitated, be sure that you don't take it out on other motorists.

-Never tailgate other drivers. Treat others and you would like to be treated.

-Use your horn sparingly.

Safe driving habits aren't only a way to help to reduce the risks of a job-related accident, they're a way to help keep our friends, families and neighbors safe.

Continue reading "Accidents in Atlanta and Elsewhere Likely for Driving Workers" »

As our Atlanta workers' compensation attorneys have been discussing, the entire month of June is dedicated to worker safety.

The National Safety Council has declared it as National Safety Month and is using each week to focus on a different work hazard. The goal of the month is to help to raise awareness and to educate workers and employers nationwide about the leading causes of injury as well as offer simple ways to help to reduce the risks of these kinds of accidents.

For the third week of the campaign, from the 17th through the 23rd, officials are pushing the Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls campaign. Did you know that falls are in fact the number one cause of unintentional injuries across the nation. These accidents account for more than 8.5 million trips to the emergency room each and every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Slip, trip and fall work accidents in Atlanta are common when the proper safety precautions are not taken. Officials with the NSC are offering safety tips to help to keep your workplace safe.

The first and quite possibly the simplest thing you can do to help to reduce the risks of these kinds of accidents is to clear the areas where people walk. You want to keep all floors clear of loose objects and obstructions. Common things that can be found in walkways but should be removed are electrical cords, tools, garbage and other debris.

It's also important for you to keep floors clean. You want to make sure that the floors are dry and that they're well lit. If you spill something, be sure to clean it up immediately. It's important to keep an eye on outdoor walkways, too. If it snows or rains, it's important to get out there and to clear up walkways. If leaves fall on walkways, those can be dangerous hazards, too!

Did you know that there are things that you can do to help avoid a fall accident?

You should consider getting moving. Get out there and exercise to help to improve your body's flexibility, its strength and its balance. All of these factors help to keep you healthy and better able to avoid slip and fall accidents. It's also a good idea for you to review your current medications and to keep an eye on your prescriptions. Many medications, even over the counter drugs, can have a serious effect on your balance and can drastically increase your risks for a slip and fall accident. You might also want to get your vision checked out periodically. Poor vision can be one of the main causes for these kinds of accidents, too. Remember that your vision changes every year if not more frequently so stay on top of it!

The truth of the matter is that people usually blame slips and trips on clumsiness and on not paying attention, but the truth is that these accidents are oftentimes caused by external factors, or factors that can be regulated and eliminated with the proper safety precautions.

Continue reading "Slip, Trip and Fall Work Accidents in Atlanta Targeted by Safety Campaign" »

Woodland Interiors Inc. was recently cited by officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for putting its workers at risk for fall-related work accidents in Hiram.

Safety officials witnessed these hazards when workers were putting insulation into the exterior walls of a new Aldi grocery store. Employers were working at dangerous heights and were not provided with the proper fall protection. Employers are required to take care of the proper safety precautions to keep all workers safe on the job. Failure to do so can result in serious accidents, injuries and even fatalities.

The safety inspection into the company and its work practices was all a part of OSHA's Local Emphasis Program and National Emphasis Program on falls in the construction industry. The violations came with a proposed penalty of more than $43,000.

Our Atlanta workers' compensation lawyers understand that fall-related accidents are some of the most common accidents for workers nationwide. This is especially true for those who are employed in the construction industry. In the construction industry and all others, employee safety should be the number one concern of employers. When it's not, companies get cited and fined, accidents result and employees can be seriously injured.

The company was handed close to $39,000 in willful violations for letting its workers perform their duties from an aerial lift that was close to 20 feet in the air without providing them with the proper fall protection. A company gets a willful violation when officials conclude that the employer knowingly or voluntarily disregarded law requirements and disregarded employee's safety and health.

The company was also slapped with nearly $5,000 in serious violations for not giving its workers the proper fall protection while installing siding that was more than 15 feet off the ground. A company gets a serious violation when officials conclude that there is substantial probability that serious injury or even death could result from a work-related hazard that an employer knew about or should have known about.

"Falls are a leading cause of workplace fatalities, and employers need to ensure workers are protected," said director of OSHA's local Office, Andre Richards.

Earlier this year, the Administration launched a new campaign to help to protect workers from fall-related accidents pertaining to working on roofs, scaffolds and ladders. There were more than 10,000 workers in the construction industry who were injured in fall-related accidents in just 2010. In addition to these injuries, there were nearly 300 workers who were killed in these kinds of accidents. Employees and employers are urged to check out OSHA's information web page about beneficial ways to help to prevent fall-related work accidents.

Continue reading "OSHA Cites Company for Risks of Work Accidents in Georgia" »

Ergonomics: It's all about creating a work environment to reduce the risks of overexertion and other painful work injuries in Atlanta and elsewhere. To help to raise awareness about the importance of ergonomics, the National Safety Council (NSC) is using its second week of awareness to focus on just that -- ergonomics.

The entire month of June is being used as National Safety Month and safety officials with the NSC will be focusing on ways to prevent unintentional injuries. They're focusing on how to eliminate injuries both on and off the job. From the 10th through the 16th of June, officials are focusing on ergonomics and helping you to find ways to create a work place that works for you.

Our Atlanta workers' compensation attorneys understand that there are nearly 3.5 million people who end up in an emergency room every year because of overexertion. These types of injuries are easily avoided when an employee works comfortably to complete a job. Many times, these kinds of accidents happen to those who work in an office and are sitting all day at a computer. We're here to offer you a few simple tips to make your desk job a little more stress free.

Failing to set up an ergonomically correct workplace can take its toll on your body. It can damage your cartilage, joints, nerves, spinal discs, tendons, blood vessels and ligaments. These conditions are most commonly the result of working too long and performing a job that's too strenuous in the same position all day. It can be the result of making the same movements all day, from working in a position that's uncomfortable or unnatural for your body, from standing or sitting too long in a day, from repeatedly using excessive force, from experiencing long periods of vibrations or from dealing with extreme temps for a long period of time.

Would you know if you were experiencing an ergonomic condition? Maybe! Typically, these conditions leave the victim with feelings of pain, tenderness, numbness, with a loss of strength in their grip, swelling and other painful conditions.

So how do you set up your desk to avoid these conditions and these symptoms?

Desk Tips:

-Make sure you're sitting comfortably. You don't want to be sitting straight up and you definitely don't want to be learning forward.

-Try not to rest your elbows on the desk.

-Make sure that, when typing, your wrists are at a relaxed angle.

-Position your monitor so that the top of it is right above your eye level. You want to look down slightly to see the computer screen.

-Keep your most important items directly in front of you to avoid turning and twisting all day.

-Avoid reaching for items excessively all day.

-Sit with your feet planted firmly on the floor.

Making a few adjustments can make a world of difference to your work area and can help to effectively and comfortably get the job done. Share the tips above with your coworkers to make sure everyone is comfortable and safe on the job.

Continue reading "Work Accidents in Atlanta and Elsewhere Minimized with Proper Ergonomics" »

For the entire month of June, officials with the National Safety Council (NSC) are pushing the National Safety Month campaign. During this time, safety advocates with the Council are working to raise awareness about the importance of safe working conditions to reduce the risks of work accidents in Atlanta and elsewhere.

From the 10th through the 16th of June, the NSC will be holding its Ergonomics campaign. Ergonomics is designing a job and its environment to "fit" workers. It's important to do this because working in awkward positions who spend their days making awkward movements can suffer a soft tissue injury, including carpel tunnel.

Our Atlanta workers' compensation lawyers understand that poor ergonomic conditions can cause serious pain and may even lead to disability. Typically, these kinds of injuries affect the cartilage, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels, tendons and joints. When work areas are not set up to work with an employee, serious injuries may result.

In general, overexertion injuries affect more than 3 million people every year. That's how many people visit an emergency room each year because of overexertion, which is the leading cause of unintentional injuries in the country.

Individuals who work in an office may be at highest risks for these kinds of accidents. It's important to make sure that your computer monitor is placed correctly. Just this one move can help to eliminate arm, eye, neck and shoulder fatigue. Consider following these tips as well to help to eliminate a work-related injury at your desk.

Ergonomics Tips:

-Adjust your computer monitor so that the top of the screen is right above eye level. You want to make sure that your eyes are looking down just a little bit when looking at the middle of the screen.

-Never keep the monitor closer than 20 inches to your face. Consider keeping it an arm's length from your eyes.

-Make sure your screen is adjusted so that there's no glare reflecting into your eyes.

-Keep the center-line of the keyboard level with the height of your elbow. Tilt the keyboard back 10° so that your wrists remain flat.

-Choose the right chair. Use an adjustable desk chair. Don't be afraid to make adjustments frequently.

-Give your eyes a rest and focus on something that's at least 20 feet away from you.

-Stand up, move around and stretch your body occasionally.

-Whatever you look at the most during the day, like the computer screen, place it directly in front of you to help to minimize turning your head.

Setting up your work station is one of the top steps to eliminating work-related accidents. Remember that even with the best work place set ups, you can still get tired muscles just from being in the same spot all day. Get up and move around, adjust your keyboard, your monitor and your chair frequently to stay flexible.

Continue reading "Ergonomics Reducing Work Accidents in Atlanta and Elsewhere, Says NSC" »