Chicago Workers' Compensation Attorney Blog

You may think you're safe working at your desk. In an office setting, employees typically don't think about work-related accidents in Chicago and you don't really think about the actual risks for one of these accidents in the safety of a cubicle. The truth of the matter is that office accidents and injuries are more common than many may think.

There are a number of instances that can result in injury on the job in an office. Workers can fall victim to a number of dangers in the office, including chemical hazards, dangerous work stations and equipment designs, poor ventilation, loud noise, light, humidity, temperature, psychological dangers, chemical risks and other environmental exposures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Don't simply assume that because you are not on a construction site that you are not at risk for injury. There are so many dangers in the office environment and workers are urged to examine their surroundings to help to prevent an office work accident in Illinois and elsewhere. The risk of the accidents can be easily minimized with a little precaution.

The key to reducing the chances of an office accident is a good design. What we mean by this is that each employee should be able to work comfortably without having to sit or stand for too long, without having to over-reach and without having to use awkward postures. Employees should work in the proper ergonomic design to reduce the risks of injury on the job.

If an employee isn't comfortable on the job, sometimes the change of furniture and equipment can be the most beneficial solution. In other instances, the equipment may be alright, but the way a job is done could be tweaked to help increase comfort and production.

In one example, we can look at the use of a computer by office employees. As technology advances, more and more workers are spending hours in front of a computer at work. Recent studies have concluded that those who work in front of a computer are likely to be more comfortable with a short break every hour.

Dangerous Situations in the Office:

-Walking over cords.

-Leaving desk drawers open.

-Falling objects from overhead.

-Job repetition, long duration of duties, etc.

-Biological and chemical sources of environment dangers.

-Job stress.

Some topics that the CDC discusses regarding office work injuries are alternative keyboards, carbonless copy paper, ergonomic and musculoskeletal injury prevention, the importance of air quality, minimizing work stresses, noise and hearing dangers, workplace violence, health and strenuous work schedules.

Visit the CDC's website to help ensure you are getting the most out of you work day, that you are comfortable on the job and that your risks for work-related injuries are minimized. A happy employee is a good employee.

Continue reading " Office Employees at Risk for Chicago Work Accidents " »

Respirators can be confusing at times, but they're a necessity to help to keep workers across the U.S. safe on the job. Every day, employees rely on respirators to provide a clean air supply to help to reduce the risks of injury and illness on the job in Chicago and elsewhere.

To help to push the importance of these devices and to offer employers and employees with some helpful information, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released 17 new videos. In each of the videos, workers can learn about these devices and why they are so beneficial. A respirator can help to reduce the risks of serious injury and even death to workers. Employers are required to provide these devices to deserving individuals. Without respirators, you could breathe in harmful materials and chemicals causing serious damage to your body.

Our Chicago workers compensation attorneys may not be required to use respirators on the job, but we understand how important the use of these devices is. Friends and family members of ours use these devices every day and rely on them to protect their well-being in dangerous work areas. Still, every year there are workers exposed to dangerous air that has the potential to cause serious injury. As a matter of fact, it is estimated that about 5 million U.S. workers wear respirators in about 1.3 million work sites. Respirators help to protect your lungs from insufficient oxygen, harmful fogs, gases, sprays, dusts, mists and vapors. These materials that can cause lung impairment, cancer, other diseases and even death.

When both employers and employees comply with OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard, the risks for these types of injuries can be drastically minimized and hundreds of workplace injuries and fatalities can be avoided.

Of the 17 videos provided by OSHA, there are eight in Spanish and nine in English. They are also available with closed captioning. You can download them from OSHA's website and bring them in to work to share with your coworkers. These videos offer important information to those who work in both general and construction industries. Included in these videos are discussions regarding the proper use of respirators, training to get familiar with the devices, how to make sure your respirator fits properly and how to spot a counterfeit respirator.

Currently, there are twenty-five states, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico that have OSHA-approved State Plans. They have also already adopted their very own standards and enforcement policies to make sure appropriate workers are protected with respirators on the job. In many cases, standards and policies are the same as the ones provided by OSHA.

The Respirator Protection Standard was launched in April of 1998. Since then, employers have been required to use these devices to help to protect employees who work around dangerous and inhalant materials. Employers and employees are urged to take a look at these new videos and to spread the word around your job. These videos could potentially help to save a life.

Continue reading " Respirator Videos Reduce Illinois Work Injuries " »