Construction workers say productivity trumps safety

In America’s deadliest industry, construction workers say safety takes a back seat

A recent National Safety Council survey found that more than half of construction workers (58%) perceive that safety takes a back seat to productivity on their job sites.

To gauge employee perceptions about workplace safety, the NSC interviewed 2,000 American workers across 14 industries.

Of construction workers surveyed, 51% say management does the bare minimum when it comes to safety; 47% say they’d feel afraid to report a safety issue. These numbers are alarming, especially considering the fact that construction has more workplace fatalities than any other industry in the U.S.

No worker should feel stuck between losing their job, or losing their life. Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, co-executive director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health said,“When workers can’t speak up, […]

How Much Will I Be Paid for Lost Wages?

As Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyers, we often find that one of the most common problems related to workers’ comp is how little people know about it. If you’ve never been hurt at work before, the claims process can be confusing. You’ll probably have lots of questions about how and when you can recover your lost wages.

One of the most common ones is: How much will I be paid for my lost wages?

If you suffer an injury on the job that prevents you from being able to work, workers’ compensation insurance exists to cover your medical bills and your wages until you can work again. In this way, workers can recover their losses without resorting to a lawsuit. Just how much you will receive, however, can vary.

Typically, you’ll receive compensation benefits for 2/3 (or 66.6%) of your average weekly wage. […]

The Most Dangerous Jobs in America, 2016

Some of the most dangerous jobs are the ones that our communities depend on the most. We are thankful to those who put their own safety at risk to help others. As we look ahead to Labor Day Weekend, we’re thinking of the laborers with the most dangerous jobs in the U.S.

Last month, CareerCast released the 2016 list of the most hazardous jobs in America.

Is your job in the top 10?

Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs

1. Construction Worker
2. Correction Officer
3. Emergency Medical Technician
4. Farmer
5. Firefighter
6. Nursing Assistant
7. Police Officer
8. Taxi Driver
9. Truck Driver
10. Veterinarian

Not surprisingly, construction tops this year’s list again. In physically demanding industries like construction, injuries are not uncommon.

Similarly, careers involving driving are particularly risky. […]

Precarious Situations: Why Ladders Cause So Many Injuries

Do you use a ladder at your job? Whether it is just once in a while or as part of your everyday job duties, one mistake can result in a serious fall.

Falls are among the most common types of work-related injuries, and many of these occur on step ladders, expansion ladders, straight ladders, and combination ladders. Approximately 90,000 people are treated in the emergency room for ladder-related falls each year, and almost 1,000 of those falls are fatal. Even if you are comfortable getting up on a ladder as part of your job, accidents can happen to anyone.

Jobs with the Highest Risk for Falls

Not surprisingly, the occupations most at risk for a fall from a ladder include roofers, painters, electricians, construction workers, service and repair technicians, and other skilled trades that require physical labor, climbing, and lifting. However, […]

Follow Up: Supreme Court Hears UPS Pregnancy Discrimination Case

Wednesday, the Supreme Court finally issued an opinion on the pregnancy discrimination case brought against UPS, siding in favor of former employee Peggy Young.

At the end of last year, we blogged about  Peggy Young, the former UPS driver who brought a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit against United Parcel Service nearly ten years ago.  When Young became pregnant with her third child, her doctor advised her that she should not lift more than 20lbs. Because her job duties required her to sometimes lift up to 70lbs, Young requested light duty assignment, which was available for other employees who could not perform their normal job duties due to a work injury, disability, or suspension of their Dept. of Transportation certification. Her request was denied and placed on unpaid medical leave.

Young sued under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act which says, “women affected by pregnancy, […]