A lack of effective worker participation in process safety efforts heightens the risk of employee injuries and serious safety incidents, according to a new report by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. Worker participation is an “essential element” to improve process safety and prevent chemical incidents and is required by several existing federal safety regulations, including the U.S….
Telemedicine has been touted as a trend to watch in workers compensation yet the use of technology to link medical providers and injured patients has been slow to take hold in the comp sector because of regulatory and other obstacles, experts say. But telemedicine as a way to treat minor on-the-job injuries holds promise, said Rick Sumner, director risk of…
A state agency says a northern Indiana company was partly responsible for the death of a 43-year-old employee who was killed when welding equipment fell from a forklift. The Elkhart Truth reports that the investigation by Indiana’s workplace safety agency revealed that Bravo Trailers in Bristol didn’t ensure that each forklift operator was properly trained and ensure that forklifts only…
An East St. Louis man alleges he was fired by a local trucking company after being injured on the job in 2018 and receiving workers’ compensation benefits. Roderick Jones filed suit July 31 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Zade Trucking, alleging violations of the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act. “There is a causal connection between [Jones]’ exercise of his…
A new report found it is becoming less common for workers to be prescribed painkillers after an on-the-job injury in Illinois. The Workers Compensation Research Institute monitors how often workers injured on the job are given prescription opioids in 27 select states. The organization’s new report found the percentage of Illinois workers who received a prescription paid for under workers…
A roofing contractor faces a fine of $220,249 for exposing workers to fall hazards at a commercial building site in a Chicago suburb, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced. Five Star Roofing Systems Inc., based in Hartford City, Indiana, was cited for willful, repeated and serious safety violations that include failing to provide fall protection, improper use of warning…
Fatalities among independent workers accounted for about 12% of all workplace deaths in 2016-2017, and independent workers have a disproportionately higher share of fatalities due to falls, slips and trips, according to report released from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday. injuries among independent workers dropped slightly between 2016 and 2017, reported the BLS, with 662 total fatal…
Postmates Inc. will offer occupational accident insurance benefits this fall to fleet members, the company announced Tuesday. The San Francisco-based company, which uses gig economy workers to deliver food, groceries, alcohol and more to individuals via an app, has about 350,000 independently contracted drivers. Drivers will be able to access a company portal for insurance information, and as of Oct….
Bosses who exhibit bullying behaviors can adversely impact the safety of their workplaces because bullied employees and their colleagues are less likely to engage in safe work practices, experts say. Failing to address bullying behaviors can affect a company’s bottom line through absenteeism, lower productivity and increased workers compensation costs, experts say. In early August, researchers from Portland State University…
A former employee of an Illinois automobile dealership has filed a lawsuit alleging she was fired after she considered filing a workers’ compensation claim for carpel tunnel syndrome. Chelsea Marinacci contends she was fired after telling her superiors at Tri Ford in Highland, Illinois, about her diagnosis and that she may have to file for benefits, according to an Illinois…
