Articles Posted in Public Service Announcement

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(NIOSH)

(NIOSH)

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) outlines potential hazards to outdoor workers and the responsibility of employers to mitigate these risks:

Outdoor workers are exposed to many types of hazards that depend on their type of work, geographic region, season, and duration of time they are outside. Employers should train outdoor workers about their workplace hazards, including hazard identification and recommendations for preventing and controlling their exposures.

Physical Hazards

Physical hazards to outdoor workers may include extreme heat, extreme cold, noise, and sun exposure. Extreme heat can cause heat stroke, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat rash, and other problems. Extreme cold can cause hypothermia, frostbite, and other problems. Repeated exposures to loud noise can lead to permanent, incurable hearing loss or tinnitus.

  • Extreme Cold: Cold-related illnesses, injuries, first aid and prevention.
  • Extreme Heat: Heat-related illnesses, first aid, and prevention.
  • Sun Exposure: Sunburn, skin cancer, first aid and prevention.
  • Noise: Hearing loss is one of the most common work-related illnesses in the U.S.

Biological Hazards

(NIOSH)

(NIOSH)

Biological hazards include vector-borne diseases, venomous wildlife and insects, and poisonous plants.  Venomous snakes, spiders, scorpions, and stinging insects can be found throughout various geographic regions, and are especially dangerous to workers who have allergies to the animal. Poisonous plants can cause allergic reactions if their oils come in contact with skin. These plants can also be dangerous if burned and their toxins are inhaled. Vector-borne diseases may be spread to workers by insects, such as mosquitoes or ticks. When a mosquito or tick bites a worker, it may transfer a disease-causing agent, such as a parasite, bacterium, or virus.

  • Poisonous Plants
  • Venomous Spiders
  • Venomous Snakes
  • Insects and Scorpions
  • West Nile Virus
  • Tick-borne Diseases
  • Lyme Disease

Other Hazards

Outdoor workers may encounter other hazards in addition to the physical and biological hazards described here. They may be exposed to pesticides or other chemical hazards, traumatic injury hazards, or other safety and health hazards depending on their specific job and tasks.

Employee Rights

You have the right to:

  • Work in a safe place.
  • Receive safety and health training in any language that you understand.
  • Ask questions if you don’t understand instructions or if something seems unsafe.
  • Use and be trained on required safety gear, such as hard hats, goggles and ear plugs.
  • Exercise your workplace safety rights without retaliation or discrimination.
  • File a confidential complaint with OSHA if you believe there is a serious hazard or that your employer is not following OSHA standards.

We Fight for Victims of Workplace Injuries in Georgia …Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

Headline Frame Fox News DeskThe Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of unsafe workplaces in Georgia, and recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict for one of our Clients in Fulton County State Court.

We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.

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Choosing the Right Attorney

Selecting the right attorney for you or your family is highly important. You must feel confident that the attorney you hire has a complete understanding of the law applicable to your particular case, and has successful experience in handling such cases.

Important: Do not hire a lawyer who has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct!!!

You should not hire an attorney who calls you or visits you unsolicited, or anyone that contacts you directly to offer legal services. This activity is strictly prohibited by Rule 7.3 of the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which states as follows:

ABA Center for Professional ResponsibilityA LAWYER “SHALL NOT” CONTACT A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT THROUGH A “LIVE TELEPHONE” OR AN “IN-PERSON” VISIT.

– RULE 7.3, ABA MODEL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.

If an attorney, or someone acting on behalf of an attorney, contacts you in this manner, that attorney is in violation of this Rule. This unethical and unprofessional activity on the part of the lawyer is good sign that you should stay away. It is imperative that you are represented by an attorney who is capable of advocating for you within the confines of the law, and an attorney who fails to abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct is probably not the best fit. In fact, any such attorney should be immediately reported to the local State Bar Association. If you have been contacted in such an unsolicited manner, contact us and we’ll assist you in filing a report.
SAC EM Update

Contingency Fees Disclaimer: “Contingent attorneys’ fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.”

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LS010463Many nursing home residents are often unable to protect themselves or evacuate in the event of an emergency. As such, it is crucial that nursing home owners and staff prepare by implementing proper fire protection measures, staff training, and emergency evacuation procedures.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) outlines basic fire safety requirements, particular to nursing homes and other health care occupancies, below:

Basic NFPA Nursing Home Fire Safety Requirements

Compartmentation

  • Barriers, such as walls, smoke barriers, partitions, and floors, separate building spaces. These barriers delay or prevent fire and smoke from spreading from one compartment to another.

On-Site Fire Protection

  • Fire alarm systems – this includes means for detection of a fire, initiation of the alarm and/or suppression systems, and notification of occupants, especially the staff.
  • Automatic sprinkler systems – sprinkler systems are required in all new health care occupancies and many existing occupancies, especially when a facility undergoes major renovation.
  • Portable fire extinguishers – extinguishers must be provided in all health care occupancies and must be used only by properly trained personnel.

Exiting

  • Strategy – Unlike other types of occupancies, movement and evacuation of all patients is not practical and is reserved as a measure of last resort. The related exit provisions must keep this thought in mind.
  • Relocation – Often times, it is preferable to transport patients to a separate smoke compartment. This is referred to as horizontal relocation.
  • Occupant Load – the number of people anticipated to be in the building. This calculated value is used to derive the number of exits and the width of these exits.
  • Number and arrangement of exits-in general terms, at least two exits need to be provided from each building. In a health care occupancy, two exits are required to be provided for each floor or section of a floor. Depending on the level of compartmentation in the facility, there could be several exits, including horizontal exits, accessible from each floor.
  • Exit signs – signs are needed to identify exits and direct the ways to get to those exits. This includes location of such signs and how to illuminate them.
  • Emergency lighting – When a fire occurs in a building, visibility is one key factor that could affect how the staff react to an emergency situation and their ability to take appropriate action.

Staff Training

The action taken by staff in a health care occupancy is an integral part of the life safety features required. The proper response from staff in terms of numbers, actions, and management of the fire can readily influence the outcome of a fire.

Since health care staff is a key factor in the success of the emergency action plan, it is important to regularly evaluate their ability to perform critical functions to protect patients in place or to perform rapid relocation of those who are threatened by the fire. Emphasis must be placed on training the staff to sound an alarm, to rescue patients (as needed), and to close all doors. The Code requires eight specific actions with respect to this part of the “defend-in-place” concept.

All health care staff must be periodically instructed, through fire drills and written instructions, in the proper procedures for emergency relocation and/or evacuation.  The purpose of a fire drill is to test and evaluate the efficiency, knowledge, and response of institutional personnel in implementing the facility fire emergency plan. Its purpose is not to disturb or excite patients. Fire drills should be scheduled on a random basis to ensure that personnel in health care facilities are drilled not less than once in each 3-month period. Many health care facilities conduct fire drills without disturbing patients by choosing the location of the simulated emergency in advance and by closing the doors to patients’ rooms or wards in the vicinity prior to initiation of the drill.

Furnishings & Contents

The purpose of interior finish requirements is to slow the fire spread across these surfaces to allow additional time for occupants to relocate or evacuate the building.

  • Interior finish – exposed surfaces of walls and ceilings within buildings.

(Visit NFPA for a complete list of health care occupancy fire safety codes and standards.)

Elderly Rights

Advocates for elderly rights and nursing home negligence attorneys at The Murray Law Firm encourage nursing home owners to implement comprehensive fire preparedness programs and training, according to NFPA codes. By implementing fire detection and protection safety measures, training nursing home staff to recognize and report fire hazards, and frequently practicing evacuation procedures, many fire-related injuries and fatalities may be prevented.

By law, property owners and managers are required to protect residents legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. This responsibility is paramount when overseeing the health and care of elderly and/or disabled residents who may not be able to care for themselves. Should a nursing home owner or manager fail in this duty, the victim and their family may elect to hold the facility civilly liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths, which occur as a consequence.

We’ve Recovered Millions for Victims of Georgia Property Negligence…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

Headline Frame Fox News DeskThe Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of property negligence in Georgia, and recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict for one of our Clients in Fulton County State Court.

We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.

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Choosing the Right Attorney

Selecting the right attorney for you or your family is highly important. You must feel confident that the attorney you hire has a complete understanding of the law applicable to your particular case, and has successful experience in handling such cases.

Important: Do not hire a lawyer who has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct!!!

You should not hire an attorney who calls you or visits you unsolicited, or anyone that contacts you directly to offer legal services. This activity is strictly prohibited by Rule 7.3 of the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which states as follows:

ABA Center for Professional ResponsibilityA LAWYER “SHALL NOT” CONTACT A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT THROUGH A “LIVE TELEPHONE” OR AN “IN-PERSON” VISIT.

– RULE 7.3, ABA MODEL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.

If an attorney, or someone acting on behalf of an attorney, contacts you in this manner, that attorney is in violation of this Rule. This unethical and unprofessional activity on the part of the lawyer is good sign that you should stay away. It is imperative that you are represented by an attorney who is capable of advocating for you within the confines of the law, and an attorney who fails to abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct is probably not the best fit. In fact, any such attorney should be immediately reported to the local State Bar Association. If you have been contacted in such an unsolicited manner, contact us and we’ll assist you in filing a report.

SAC EM Update

Contingency Fees Disclaimer: “Contingent attorneys’ fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.”

By
(OSHA)

(OSHA)

Grain handling plants receive, manage, store, process, and ship a variety of raw agricultural goods, such as, corn, wheat, oats, barley, sunflower seeds, and soybeans.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) considers the grain handling industry a “high hazard industry where workers can be exposed to numerous serious and life threatening hazards.”

Grain Handling Hazards

  • Fires and explosions from grain dust accumulation
  • Suffocation from engulfment and entrapment in grain bins
  • Falls from heights
  • Crushing injuries and amputations from grain handling equipment
  • Unhealthy levels of airborne contaminants, including molds, toxic chemicals, and gases

Real Stories

OSHA warns, “Suffocation is the leading cause of death in grain storage bins. In 2010, 51 workers were engulfed by grain stored in bins, and 26 died – the highest number on record.”

OSHA highlights one such tragedy: Two young workers (ages 14 and 19) were killed at a grain storage facility in the Midwest when they were sent into a grain bin to “walk down the corn.” The grain bin was being emptied, and the workers’ task was to break up clumps by walking on them to make the corn flow out of the bin. The workers were not provided safety harnesses, and the machinery used for evacuating the grain was running. The suction created by the flowing grain pulled them in like quicksand and suffocated them. Workers should never be inside a grain bin when it is being emptied out, because a sinkhole can form and pull down the worker in a matter of seconds. OSHA standards prohibit this dangerous practice. This company ignored that rule as well as other protective safety requirements. In addition, child labor laws made it illegal for this company to employ a 14-year-old to work in a grain silo.

Employer Responsibility

Employers must provide a healthy and safe workplace for their employees. OSHA encourages employers to implement and enforce safety guidelines to address the numerous potential hazards of grain handling and to reduce employee injury.

To prevent another suffocation tragedy, like the one above, employers must:

  • Turn off, disconnect and lock out all powered equipment associated with the bin that poses a danger to employees inside the grain structure, including augers used to help move the grain, so that the grain is not being emptied or moving out or into the bin [1910.272(g)(1)(ii)]. Standing on moving grain is deadly; the grain can act like quicksand and bury a worker very quickly. Moving grain out of a bin creates a suction that can swiftly pull and bury any workers who are in the bin.
  • Prohibit walking down grain and similar practices where an employee walks on grain to make it flow [1910.272(g)(1)(iv)].
  • Provide each worker entering a bin from a level at or above stored grain, or when a worker will walk or stand on stored grain, with a body harness. The body harness should have a lifeline that is positioned and is of sufficient length to prevent a worker from sinking further than waist-deep in grain [1910.272(g)(2)].
  • Provide an observer stationed outside the bin or silo being entered by an employee and maintain communication between the observer and the employee who enters. Ensure the observer is equipped to provide assistance [1910.272(g)(3)].
  • Prohibit workers from entry into bins or silos underneath a bridging condition, or where a build-up of grain products on the sides could fall and bury them [1910.272(g)(6)].
  • Provide training about engulfment and mechanical hazards to employees assigned special tasks such as bin entry [1910.272(e)(2)].
  • Test the air within a bin or silo prior to entry for the presence of combustible and toxic gases, and to determine if there is sufficient oxygen [1910.272(g)(1)(iii)].
  • Provide and continue ventilation until any unsafe atmospheric conditions are eliminated. If toxicity or oxygen deficiency cannot be eliminated, workers must wear appropriate respirators [1910.272(g)(1)(iii) A and B].
  • Ensure a permit is issued for each instance a worker enters a bin or silo, certifying that the precautions listed above have been implemented [1910.272(g)(1)(i)].

Employee Rights

OSHA reminds workers, they have the right to:

  • Working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm.
  • Receive information and training (in a language and vocabulary they understand) about workplace hazards, methods to prevent them, and the OSHA standards that apply to their workplace.
  • Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses.
  • Get copies of test results that find measure hazards.
  • File a confidential complaint asking OSHA to inspect their workplace if they believe there is a serious hazard or that their employer is not following OSHA’s rules.
  • Exercise their rights under the law without retaliation or discrimination.

We Fight for Victims of Workplace Accidents in Georgia …Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

Headline Frame Fox News DeskThe Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of unsafe workplaces in Georgia, and recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict for one of our Clients in Fulton County State Court.

We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.

728x90 Justice

Choosing the Right Attorney

Selecting the right attorney for you or your family is highly important. You must feel confident that the attorney you hire has a complete understanding of the law applicable to your particular case, and has successful experience in handling such cases.

Important: Do not hire a lawyer who has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct!!!

You should not hire an attorney who calls you or visits you unsolicited, or anyone that contacts you directly to offer legal services. This activity is strictly prohibited by Rule 7.3 of the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which states as follows:

ABA Center for Professional ResponsibilityA LAWYER “SHALL NOT” CONTACT A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT THROUGH A “LIVE TELEPHONE” OR AN “IN-PERSON” VISIT.

– RULE 7.3, ABA MODEL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.

If an attorney, or someone acting on behalf of an attorney, contacts you in this manner, that attorney is in violation of this Rule. This unethical and unprofessional activity on the part of the lawyer is good sign that you should stay away. It is imperative that you are represented by an attorney who is capable of advocating for you within the confines of the law, and an attorney who fails to abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct is probably not the best fit. In fact, any such attorney should be immediately reported to the local State Bar Association. If you have been contacted in such an unsolicited manner, contact us and we’ll assist you in filing a report.

SAC EM Update

Contingency Fees Disclaimer: “Contingent attorneys’ fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.”