OSHA data shows consequences of unsafe working environments
Oklahoma residents who work in the meatpacking industry know how dangerous their jobs can sometimes be. According to data obtained from OSHA, there were 34 injuries reported at 10 Tyson Foods plants in the first nine months of 2015. Of those injuries, 17 were amputations. Some of the injuries involved finger tips or portions of […]
Controlling hazardous energy in the workplace
Oklahoma residents who work in certain construction trades or other crafts may face serious risks on the job related to hazardous energy, especially in cases involving the maintenance or repair of equipment. Hazardous energy can exist in various forms, including chemical, mechanical, electrical and pneumatic. The potential of this energy to harm or even kill […]
Excavations bring unique worker hazards
Oklahoma construction workers handling excavation tasks may be at risk of site-specific fatal accidents, such as suffocation, fume inhalation, drowning, electrocution and explosions. For this reason, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates that certain work sites incorporate special protections, like testing procedures, site inspections, traffic control and construction coordination. According to OSHA, some of […]
Disabling injuries and workplace safety statistics
An Oklahoma worker doesn’t have to be involved in a profession that centers around heavy labor to suffer a disabling injury from overexertion. However, the professions most closely linked with such injuries are those involving regular lifting. These include movers, laborers, and nursing assistants, according to 2014 statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Liberty […]
In 2015, mining deaths fell again
Oklahomans may be interested in the fact that mining deaths for 2015 reached new lows, showing continued declines from the late 1970s. According to data from the Mine Health Safety Administration, 28 people lost their lives in mining accidents, fewer than the 29 who died in a single accident in 2010. As more power companies […]
Managing workers’ compensation
Oklahoma employees who get hurt on the job may have varied experiences with workers’ compensation depending on how their claims are managed. It has been estimated that just under a third of all injured workers need medical guidance instead of medical care and may actually be better off by being assessed by a nurse immediately […]
Staying safe at work in the winter
The winter months tend to present a unique set of challenges to employers and employees in Oklahoma. Cold temperatures, slippery conditions and an increase in customer traffic may increase the risk of injury to workers. However, there are no excuses for allowing a worker to suffer an injury on the job regardless of how cold […]
Employers need to protect workers during holiday sales
Black Friday is the traditional kickoff to the holiday shopping season, and retailers in Oklahoma and across the country likely had strategies to protect their employees from the big crowds that will be flowing in and out of their stores. To help businesses keep their workers safe, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration offers […]
Deadly construction fall reveals safety hazards
Plastering jobs in Oklahoma can be dangerous due to the altitudes at which employees often work. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides safety standards to govern the management of such projects. An Arizona-based contractor is facing more than $400,000 in fines in connection with 12 violations for which it was cited by OSHA on […]
Work-related hand damage from vibrating tools
Although Oklahoma construction workers may use gloves to keep their hands warm during the winter, they may not realize that there are more risks than just a loss of comfort when their gloves are off. One of the most common neuromuscular disorders for construction workers is also believed to be very costly and significantly underappreciated. […]