Whether you work in manufacturing, construction or a technical field, all jobs come with some degree of risk. Fortunately, workers’ compensation covers many types of workplace injuries and illnesses. The workers’ compensation system can be difficult to navigate. To help, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission offers resources for employers and employees. However, you may still have questions […]
Knowing when to record workplace injuries on OSHA’s Form 300
Employers across Illinois may find it hard to determine when a workplace injury or illness is meant to be recorded on OSHA’s Form 300. OSHA has specific rules on record keeping, and though there are admittedly gray areas, it expects compliance, as a failure to comply can lead to stiff penalties. This is where XpertHR […]
Older workers more likely to suffer fatal injuries
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Construction falls and how to prevent them
The insurance company Nationwide, analyzing the more than 10,000 workers’ compensation claims that it processed in the previous five years, found that 30% involved falls in construction. Construction workers in Illinois should know how they can stay safe when on elevated surfaces. If they do not stay safe or if their employer neglects their safety, […]
Workers’ compensation and airport ground crews
When you think of jobs in the airline industry, you probably think of pilots and flight attendants, but hundreds of other employees are necessary to get you in the air. In 2018, O’Hare International Airport was the busiest airport in the world, transporting more than 83 million passengers and 1.6 million metric tons of freight. That […]
