Kansas City Workers' Compensation Law Blog

Mining industry stalling efforts to increase workplace safety

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Safety on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.

In 2010, a beloved husband, father and community member was killed in a preventable work accident. As a mechanic for an open-mining operation, he was often in his work truck. Unfortunately, he was in his parked vehicle when a large haul truck ran over top of it, crushing him. Missouri is home to several mining companies and any efforts to improve workplace safety would benefit workers here and elsewhere.

Since 1998, the Mining Safety and Health Administration has mulled regulations that would require heavy machinery to include collision prevention warning systems. Vehicles such as the 240-ton haul trucks cost upwards of $1 million and can be operated for decades. This high cost makes most companies reluctant to replace them for newer vehicles with advanced technology. The problem with these machines is an extensive blind spot that can lead to serious crashes due to a driver's inability to see obstacles in the vehicle's path.

Working environment may play bigger role in lung disease cases

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Illness on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.

There have been many studies regarding occupational exposure and various cancers. However, many health care providers may not take into consideration a worker's occupation when arriving at a diagnosis of a noncancerous lung disease. Missouri workers who are suffering from a respiratory illness may benefit from informing their doctor about their working environment.

The latest study focused on several types of lung diseases that were not commonly considered to be occupational-related. After analyzing the data, researchers concluded that several illnesses may be contributed to by exposure to certain irritants and pollutants on the job. It was determined that those who are exposed to such hazards as dust, smoke, certain vapors and gases and later developed a lung illness may have contracted the disease through their work. The authors of the study lamented that many health care providers neglect to take environmental factors into consideration when arriving at a diagnosis.

OSHA shares list of most commonly reported safety violations

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Safety on Thursday, June 27, 2019.

No matter the occupational field, there are always dangers that employers must be aware of in order to ensure the safety of employees. In the event of a serious accident, inspectors from OSHA will likely conduct an inspection to determine whether there were any safety violations that contributed to the accident. Missouri workers who are concerned about the safety of their workspace can report suspected violations.

Officials with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently published its list of most common safety violations. One of the top areas of concern are those pertaining to falls. Employers are required to provide all required safety measures as well as employee training to prevent the risk of a serious injury. OSHA also mandates that companies post an updated hazardous products list in those work spaces where they apply. Workers should all be informed of the protocols when handling any potentially dangerous chemicals.

Lawsuit alleges employer negligence lead to workers' death

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Accidents on Thursday, June 20, 2019.

By its nature, construction work can be a dangerous occupation. For this reason, the federal office of Occupational Safety and Health Administration has guidelines concerning how to conduct such operations as digging trenches. Unfortunately, there are occasions when suspected employer negligence has resulted in serious injuries to workers here in Missouri and elsewhere.

Recently, a lawsuit was filed over the deaths of two employees who died in a trench collapse. According to the suit, a 42-year-old man and his 56-year-old co-worker were hand digging a trench that was 12 feet deep and 41 feet long. The suit alleges that text messages from the employer directs one of the men to continue with the project regardless of any other information. A former employee refused the job over safety concerns.

OSHA deflates tire company with serious fines for violations

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Safety on Friday, June 7, 2019.

Companies seek to provide a quality product or service for its customers. In furtherance of that goal, they are required to provide employees with a safe working environment. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration was formed in order to ensure that employers meet safety regulations, and OSHA has the authority to issue citations and impose fines when a company violates those standards. Missouri workers are entitled to work in an environment that protects them from harm.

Recently, OSHA released its findings of a follow-up inspection concerning a tire manufacturing plant. The company opened in 2016 and was found to be in violation of several safety regulations after an inspection in 2017. After receiving no response from company officials concerning a correction plan, OSHA inspectors returned for a follow-up visit beginning last November. The federal agency imposed fines in excess of $500,000 for approximately 21 serious violations, the majority of which involved the same areas of concern from the previous report.

Worker suffers serious injuries in industrial accident

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Accidents on Wednesday, May 29, 2019.

One of the most important industries is the manufacturing of parts and equipment for use in a wide variety of commercial applications. However, the nature of the job often entails the use of large machinery and hazardous conditions that could lead to a serious industrial accident. Missouri is home to several manufacturing plants, in which it is likely that workers have suffered significant injuries.

Recently, emergency responders in another state were called to the scene of a workplace accident. According to the report, a 58-year-old man was engaged in working on a large lathe machine. Known as a computer numerical control (CNC) machine, this particular machine was a vertical turning center lathe. Apparently, the victim somehow fell into the machine while it was running.

Former Missouri weapons plant workers suffer work-related illness

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Illness on Thursday, May 23, 2019.

During times of tension between nations, production of weapon stockpiles increases. In many communities, new production plants meant increased employment opportunities and an economic boom. Unfortunately, workers of one Missouri plant discovered that they faced a higher probability of suffering a work-related illness.

The Kansas City Plant has been home to several different companies since its beginnings in the 1940s. At one time, it housed companies engaged in producing plane parts for the military. Over time, it was expanded and came under the control of the Department of Energy, (DOE), the National Nuclear Security Administration and the General Services Administration, (GSA), which contracted for production of electrical parts to be used in nuclear weapons. The plant quickly became one of the major employment providers, but employees were not informed about the dangers of exposure to toxic materials.

OSHA investigating after woman injured in work accident

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Accidents on Thursday, May 16, 2019.

No matter one's occupation, almost every work site has the potential to become dangerous under the wrong conditions. When the job at hand requires one to be off the ground, then the possibility of suffering injuries due to a fall increases. Missouri workers who have been injured in a work accident may qualify for benefits from the Workers' Compensation Insurance Program.

Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened an investigation into the causes behind a work site fall that injured a woman. According to the report, the woman was employed by a company that performs work in shipyards. The unidentified employee was working from an elevated position to complete power-washing in an enclosed area. For reasons that are yet unclear, the employee fell approximately 25 feet and landed in an unknown quantity of water.

Social Security disability might provide safety net for some

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Injuries on Tuesday, May 7, 2019.

There is an old adage that refers to anything worth having, is worth working for in order to obtain the desired prize. However, in spite of the desire of the majority of Missouri employees to work until retirement age, there are circumstances that may make that goal unattainable. In the event that a worker finds him or herself with a serious condition that makes working impossible, Social Security Disability Insurance may provide a critical safety net.

Social Security Disability Insurance was instituted to help provide recipients with a means to make ends meet when they suffer a disabling ailment. Though it will not provide the same level of income as a regular paycheck, these funds may make it possible for one to keep a roof overhead and food on the table. But there is a qualifying process.

Workplace illness: Stress and long hours contribute to illnesses

On behalf of Kelly Law Office, P.C. posted in Workplace Illness on Thursday, May 2, 2019.

In the quest to provide for their families, workers are often required to put in long days and face increasing stress. Accordingly, the incidents of workplace illness claims have continued to climb. Missouri employees often put in long hours in a workplace that is not conducive to good health.

Recently, researchers affiliated with the United Nations published their findings regarding occupational illnesses globally. They found that an estimated 2.8 million workers suffer from some type of work-related illness every year. These illnesses are the result of increased stress, longer work hours and occupational-related diseases, including cancer cancer. Along with the alarming number of deaths, approximately 374 million additional workers suffer from the effects of workplace illnesses or injuries. The study reported that an estimated 6,500 workers die every day due to workplace illnesses as opposed to the estimated 1,000 workers who are killed in an accident.

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