Between 1992 and 2017, the number of U.S. workers 55 and older has more than doubled. Yet in that same time period, the number of fatal occupational injuries among these workers rose 56%. California residents should know that this was in spite of a 17% decline in overall fatal occupational injuries. This was only the first of the many findings that the Bureau of Labor Statistics released in January 2020 in the Monthly Labor Review. The BLS found that workers 65 and older were especially dying on the job more frequently. The fatality rates were…Read More
California employees who frequently work around machinery probably know something about pinch points. These are any points where workers or one of their extremities are liable to get caught. They include areas between two moving parts, between a moving and a stationary part of the machine and between a part of the machine and some material. Metal workers may encounter pinch points in power presses and other metal-forming machines. Construction and warehouse workers run a high risk for injury as well. Pinch points can be found in conveyors, printing presses, assembling machines, powered rollers and…Read More
In California, incidents resulting in an injury to highway construction workers are on the rise. Whether it is simply due to more roadwork being performed on crumbling infrastructure or the fact that drivers are not paying the proper amount of attention, those who perform their jobs in work zones are risking their health when they go to work each day. Employers must take steps to protect their employees when they are on the job. In a highway setting, this means having more barriers to keep employees safe. It also means selecting the right type of…Read More
Construction workers in California probably know how dangerous it is to be in a work zone. Despite various efforts to reduce violations, the number of work zone fatalities nationwide has remained steady over the years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, for instance, analyzed the number of such fatalities between 2003 and 2018 and said that an average of 123 workers died each year. While 2013 saw a low of 105 deaths, the number shot up to 143 in 2016 before coming down to 124 in 2018. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which recorded all work zone…Read More
Undocumented workers or those without proper paperwork for securing paying jobs in the United States contribute substantially to the economy in California. Some people without documentation work in factories, while others work on farms, in retail businesses or at restaurants. Regardless of what field you work in, you need to know your rights or risk an employer intentionally violating them, especially if you get hurt on the job. Employers may attempt to take advantage of workers without documentation, especially in situations where those workers aren’t familiar with their own rights or aren’t willing to stand up for…Read More
Certain work-related illnesses and injuries are to be recorded on a log known as OSHA’s Form 300. OSHA has set up criteria that employers in California, as elsewhere, must evaluate each injury and illness in the light of so that they will know what to record and what not to. Unfortunately, there is some confusion in this regard; even those who know the criteria can find them to be full of gray areas. XpertHR, a provider of human resources tools, has come out with a guide to help employers with compliance with OSHA’s record-keeping guidelines.…Read More
The mining industry faces a high risk for fires every day, so mine owners in California need to make sure they are doing all they can to keep workers safe. It starts with proper ventilation and atmospheric monitoring, and fortunately, new technology can help in the efforts. For example, ventilation on demand, rather than sending clean air to unoccupied areas of the mine, will ventilate those places where sensors detect machinery and people to be present. Heavy machinery inevitably produces dust and potentially toxic fumes, so this is essential. When it comes to monitoring, employers could…Read More
Medical bills and missing work are ingredients for disaster, so you want all the help you can get from workers’ compensation. The insurance company might not want to hear what you and your doctor have to say, but a third party could step in and set things straight. Workers’ compensation provided over $608 million to California workers last year. That money goes out to thousands of workers who need help covering costs after a workplace accident. But getting the money you need isn’t guaranteed when you apply, and the insurance company may need some convincing. This…Read More
If you are an independent contractor, you are not eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits in the state of California. However, some employers misclassify employees as independent contractors. Has this happened to you? A Misclassification Crackdown The U.S. Department of Labor works with the IRS and state workforce agencies to uncover employee misclassification practices. The IRS, for example, has a Questionable Employment Tax Program through which they identify schemes that involve misclassifying employees as independent contractors so employers can avoid paying the appropriate taxes. The misclassified employees are not eligible to receive such benefits as overtime pay or…Read More
When you experience an injury or develop an illness as a result of your work environment, you may be able to secure workers’ compensation benefits through your employer to help you get by while you cannot work. You may be able to obtain workers’ compensation benefits for any number of different reasons. While, in some cases, you may pursue them after specific, one-time injuries, in others, you may need them because of injuries or illnesses that develop over time. Just what types of benefits might you be able to secure in the wake of an on-the-job accident…Read More
