High rate of musculoskeletal injuries in construction
Construction workers in Oklahoma and around the country are more vulnerable to injuries called work-related musculoskeletal disorders than workers in other industries according to a study that appeared in Occupational and Environmental Medicine. WMSDs are caused by overwork and overexposure to vibrations. Actions such as twisting, holding awkward positions and bending also contribute to this […]
Suspension trauma following a fall
When Oklahoma employees are required to work at great heights, they are always at risk for falling. To prevent accidental falls, fall arrest personal protective equipment, which often include full-body harness systems, are used. While these systems can save a worker’s life, they often leave users suspended, potentially leading to suspension trauma and orthostatic intolerance. […]
Smartphones could lower workplace repetitive injuries
Many Oklahoma residents use their smartphones to stay in touch with their friends, family members and acquaintances and browse the internet, but these devices can also be used to improve safety in the workplace. Modern smartphones contain high resolution cameras and powerful processors that can analyze video footage quickly and easily, and these features are […]
Safety matters for an aging workforce
While experience can come with age, Oklahoma employers must also consider the challenges of hiring elderly workers for certain types of tasks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 25 percent of the workforce will be at least 55 years of age in 2024. As people continue to work during their golden years, they […]
What employees must do when injured on the job
With only a few exceptions, employees who are hired and subsequently injured while on the job in Oklahoma are covered by the state’s workers’ compensation laws. Under these laws, employers are protected from certain liability lawsuits, and workers have the right to receive benefits for compensable injuries and related disabilities in turn. However, workers’ compensation […]
Truckers miss more work days due to illness, injury
In August 2016, an Occupational Health and Safety Administration regulation went into effect that requires certain employers to submit on-the-job injury and illness information electronically. Although it generally applies to employers who have at least 250 employees, companies in specific high-risk industries that employ a minimum of 20 workers are also affected by the ruling. […]
OSHA’s new rules for working and walking surfaces
Employees in Oklahoma and across the United States who face hazards due to walking and working surfaces can expect to see safety improvements in the workplace by 2017, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The agency announced in November that it will publish its updated final rule on general industry safety standards for […]
Safety rules for trenching and excavation
The trenching and excavation guidelines established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were established to prevent worker injuries in Oklahoma and the rest of the country from two of the most hazardous construction operations. The guidelines aim to prevent the occurrence of cave-ins, which has been identified as the primary risk associated with trenching […]
Man denied workers’ compensation benefits for work injury
Many Oklahoma employees have desk jobs that require them to sit and fill out forms. While sedentary jobs may not seem hazardous, it is possible to suffer an injury while sitting at a desk. However, people who sustain an injury at their desk will only be allowed to claim workers’ compensation benefits if they can […]
Risky industries for on the job injuries
According to the Department of Labor, last year over three million workers were injured or got sick on a job in the private sector. In Oklahoma, attorneys frequently handle work-related cases including spine, back, brain, neck and leg injuries. These accidents result in lost wages due to unpaid sick leave and medical expenses. The industries […]