Pittsburgh Workers' Compensation And Personal Injury Blog

OIG calls out OSHA for underreporting of workplace injuries

On behalf of Law Offices of Hall & Copetas posted in workers' compensation on Tuesday, September 25, 2018.

In January 2015, certain changes to OSHA's injury and illness record-keeping rule went into effect. However, according to an audit report from the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, OSHA may not be doing enough to keep thorough records of serious and fatal workplace injuries. The audit was released in September 2018 and may be of interest to employers in Pennsylvania.

The OIG estimates that OSHA may have let 50 percent or more injury cases go unreported and that it is inconsistent in the way it issues citations against late reporters. The OIG also points out a lack of training regarding the detection and prevention of underreporting. There may be a lack of resources on OSHA's part that limits its ability to provide enforcement and compliance assistance.

Shield yourself from the hazards in the oil and gas industry

On behalf of Law Offices of Hall & Copetas on Monday, September 24, 2018.

If you work in the petrochemical industry in Pennsylvania, you already likely know that it is a potentially hazardous occupation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has industrial standards that govern safety protocols in this industry, and compliance with the regulations can minimize the risks.

Your employer is responsible for your health and safety on the job. However, he or she will expect you to take some responsibility as you navigate the hazards of your allocated tasks in the oil patch. A good start might be never to miss any safety training. Even if you think you have heard it all before, it will continue to test your knowledge, and re-training can prevent you from becoming complacent — and even more vulnerable.

Most construction accidents can be prevented

On behalf of Law Offices of Hall & Copetas posted in workers' compensation on Monday, September 10, 2018.

Pittsburgh construction workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in America. While construction workers make up only 6 percent of the U.S. workforce, they account for over 20 percent of all worker deaths in the private sector. In 2016, nearly 1,000 construction workers lost their lives in job-related accidents, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Workplace safety advocates say that more than 60 percent of construction accidents are preventable. For example, falls are one of the most common causes of worker injuries and deaths in the construction industry. However, they can be easily prevented by following basic industry safety standards, including the consistent use of fall protection equipment, properly sized ladders and stable work surfaces. Another common cause of injuries and deaths is workers being struck by objects, including work vehicles. These accidents can be prevented by creating clear vehicle routes on worksites and training workers on the proper use of equipment.

Investigation reveals unsafe conditions at Amazon warehouses

On behalf of Law Offices of Hall & Copetas posted in workers' compensation on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

A media outlet has launched an investigation into alleged unsafe working conditions at Amazon's fulfillment warehouses in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. There have been numerous reports of worker injuries and mistreatment at the facilities.

The Guardian reports that its investigation revealed multiple cases of workplace accidents at Amazon warehouses. The newspaper further claims that Amazon's poor treatment of injured workers has pushed some of them into poverty and homelessness. For example, one worker at a Pennsylvania facility was fired just five weeks after suffering an on-the-job injury. In another case, a former worker filed a lawsuit claiming that Amazon fired him and denied him workers' compensation benefits after he hurt his back at a Florida facility.

How to avoid an accident with a large truck

On behalf of Law Offices of Hall & Copetas posted in trucking accidents on Wednesday, August 22, 2018.

Sharing the road with large trucks and semis can be daunting for any driver, but especially a new driver. Making sure you are safe while on the road with a large truck is important, as you need to follow different guidelines than you might when simply sharing the road with fellow car drivers.

Large truck crashes are common. In 2016, truck crashes resulted in almost 4,000 deaths. The driver of the smaller vehicle often unintentionally causes these accidents, due to not knowing the proper way to share the road with colossal vehicles.

Do you love hunting? What if you are hurt in a hunting accident?

On behalf of Law Offices of Hall & Copetas on Thursday, August 9, 2018.

If you are a hunter, you are probably looking forward to the upcoming hunting season with keen anticipation. However, the large number of hunters in Pennsylvania could make gun season extremely dangerous. Although tick bites that cause Lyme disease, mosquitoes that can cause West Nile Virus, bear attacks, poisonous snakes, hypothermia and poison ivy threaten hunters, shooting accidents and falls from tree stands are the most significant threats to your safety.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says average deer stand heights are from 16 feet to 40 feet above the ground. The injuries that you could suffer from a fall from a deer stand can range from bruises and scratches to fractured bones and injuries that might be severe enough to cause permanent disability, which could end your career.

Pennsylvania Nestlé Employee Awarded Workers' Compensation for Legionnaire's Disease

On behalf of Law Offices of Hall & Copetas on Tuesday, February 14, 2017.

Last month, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania upheld a previous ruling to award workers' compensation benefits to an employee of Nestlé who contracted the life-threatening Legionnaire's Disease from working on contaminated beverage machines.