Older workers in Chicago and across the United States are at higher risk for fatal on-the-job injuries, according to a recent analysis by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The report was published in the BLS Monthly Labor Review in January. BLS researchers used data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries program to […]
How to properly handle an insurance claim after an accident
Car accidents are very stressful experiences that can challenge even the most veteran driver. Between the accident, damage to the vehicle and any sustained injuries, many people fail to file an insurance claim properly. Insurance policies contain a lot of complex legal phrasing that can frustrate policyholders. This confusion causes many people file incomplete or false […]
Chemical hygiene plan creates road map for lab worker safety
People throughout Illinois work in academic, research and commercial laboratories. These work environments encompass many types of hazards, such as exposure to hazardous biological or chemical substances and radiation. Physical hazards are present in instrument rooms, chemical storage rooms, loading docks and waste processing areas. Musculoskeletal injuries can be a concern as well. Due to […]
How companies can guard against falls
According to OSHA, companies in Illinois and throughout the country struggle to prevent fall injuries and deaths. Annually, companies lose $70 billion to medical and workers’ compensation costs associated with falls in the workplace. Losing workers to fall injuries can also result in higher labor costs as well as lower workplace morale. However, there are […]
Construction workers and scaffolding: Accidents waiting to happen
Scaffolds, those necessary structures on virtually all construction sites, nevertheless pose a continuing safety hazard for you as a construction worker. Unfortunately, scaffolding injuries, many of them fatal, abound in the construction industry. Per the Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 72% of construction workers who survived their scaffolding injuries report that one […]
IIHS on the link between phone use and distracted driving
Drivers in Illinois should know that distracted driving is behind an increasing number of crashes. Strictly speaking, anything that takes a driver’s attention from the road is a distraction. This can include eating, drinking, looking at billboards and adjusting the radio. One of the most distracting activities, though, is phone use. Manipulating a phone, such […]
Safety tips for working around electrical equipment
At the workplace, safety is always an issue. But safety around electrical equipment is of particular importance. Every year, around 1,000 people are killed in accidents involving electricity. Even relatively low voltages can be dangerous. Over half of these deaths occur in cases where the voltage was under 600 V, even 50 V can prove […]
Five factors that contribute to most truck crashes
Truck accidents are not uncommon in Illinois, and whenever passenger vehicles are involved, there will likely be serious injuries. There are five common causes of truck accidents, starting with driver error. It should be kept in mind that the majority of crashes between truckers and passenger vehicle drivers are the fault of the latter. Speeding, […]
Taking steps towards a safer construction site
The federal standards on construction site safety are clear, and it is up to construction owners in Illinois to follow them. The following summary breaks down, in eight steps, what owners should do to maintain the safety of their employees. The first step is to be aware: that is, aware of safety hazards on the […]
How workers’ comp works in Illinois
If you suffer an injury on the job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission estimates that 91% of employees who live and work in the state have coverage under their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy. Learn how to apply for benefits and what to expect during the process. How and […]
