Kansas City Workers' Compensation Law Blog

Several years ago, union members for hotel housekeepers requested that the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health define standards for injury prevention. In response to that request, the agency recently released recommendations that are hoped will increase workplace safety for this class of employees. While Missouri has not yet followed suit, workers here could benefit from similar regulations.

According to Cal/OSHA officials, those who work in the hospitality services as housekeepers suffer more work-related injuries than most other employees. These injuries are often described as both cumulative and acute, and the numbers of those suffering injuries have steadily increased. For the first time, the agency has issued regulations that employers are required to institute in order to decrease the risk of injury for these employees.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that an average of one out of every 100 workers will miss time from a job due to a work-related injury. Based on its data, a business security company, CPI, recently published a list of the top eight most common types of workplace injury along with the average number of days missed. While not every accident can be prevented, Missouri employers may be able to enhance workplace safety in order to lessen the likelihood of these often costly incidents.

According to the data, the most common cause of work-related injuries is due to falls, tripping and overexertion. Those who are self-employed or work on smaller farms or private home businesses were not included in the survey. Though the injury rate may not appear to be alarming, the numbers of missed days and the costs to both workers and employers provides motivation for finding solutions to reduce injuries.

In general, those who work in blue collar occupations are often considered to possess only average job skills. However, in many of these fields, workers must adapt to a variety of adverse conditions and have sufficient knowledge and experience with handling a variety of equipment in order to avoid the possibility of suffering a serious on\-the\-job injury. Countless laborers throughout Missouri provide a valuable service to consumers and the general public that may go unnoticed until a serious natural disaster occurs.

One of those under-appreciated but essential jobs is tree care and removal services. Those who are employed in the tree care field must have extensive knowledge of the different tree species along with experience in handling a variety of specialized tools and adverse working conditions. Studies have shown that, when these workers are not carefully trained, they experience a higher risk of suffering a serious or fatal work accident. Those who are employed by professional arborists are more likely to receive thorough training and have access to proper protective gear.

Farmhands face many hazardous conditions, including those that are caused by extreme weather conditions. One of the more serious work-related illness problems that they face is caused by excessively high temperatures. One woman's recent creation may prove to be beneficial to agricultural employees here in Missouri.

This woman, who comes from a family of farm workers, recently developed an application that can be incorporated into an Apple watch. It is used to sense changes in the body temperature of the wearer, especially when the temperatures begin to rise. Once it detects an elevated temperature that could spawn a heat-related illness, it sends an alarm to the wearer.