Philadelphia Workers' Compensation Blog

A national project is aiming to eliminate construction worker injuries in Pennsylvania and across the country. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is holding its sixth annual National Safety Stand-Down against construction falls from May 6-10, 2019. The project focuses on falls because they continue to pose a serious threat to construction worker safety. In 2016, 891 construction workers lost their lives due to workplace accidents. Of those, 370 were related to falls from heights. OSHA emphasizes that all of these deaths are preventable.

This voluntary event encourages construction workers to talk to workers about safety issues and workplace accidents. OSHA suggests using breaks to educate workers about the importance of fall prevention and places at a worksite that may pose risks for falling. In addition, these sessions can provide an opportunity for employees to raise concerns about hazards they have encountered in the workplace. The program typically includes a wide range of employers and other parties in the industry, including commercial and residential construction firms, contractors and subcontractors, highway construction companies, public works departments, unions and trade associations.

Your workplace accident left you with a painful recovery, lost wages and questions about your future. After applying for Pennsylvania workers' compensation, you thought all you had to do was follow the instructions of your doctor and insurer to secure the benefits you needed to protect your family from financial crisis.

You probably didn't expect the workers' compensation claims process to be as tedious and uncertain as it was, including paperwork, interviews and seeking medical care from approved doctors. After all that, the insurer arrived at an offer of benefits based on your medical bills, missed work and disability. You now have some decisions to make about accepting the offer or pursuing a higher amount.

Toxic gasses are the primary threat to workers in Pennsylvania and around the country who perform their duties in confined spaces. After investigating the circumstances surrounding 670 confined space workplace deaths, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that atmospheric hazards played a role in about 56 percent of them. The most common dangerous gases found in confined spaces include carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide according to NIOSH.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration defines confined spaces as areas with restricted access that are not designed for prolonged occupancy but are large enough to perform work assignments. Examples of confined spaces include tanks, silos, storage bins and tanks. The agency requires employers to monitor the air quality in these areas frequently and keep them well ventilated. Toxic fumes can cause incapacity extremely quickly, which is why OSHA regulations call for trained rescue teams to be on hand when workers enter confined spaces.

Construction workers in Pennsylvania face unique dangers on the job during the winter months. Freezing temperatures and slippery surfaces from ice and snow compel workers and employers to take extra safety precautions during winter, according to experts. Preparation for the oncoming cold can begin before winter.

Roadways and parking areas that have potholes or uneven surfaces cannot be fixed when the ground is frozen. Pre-season maintenance of road surfaces can prevent the problem icy surfaces in winter from being compounded by potholes and other surface problems. Site inspections prior to winter should also include considerations for issues that are unique to cold weather, such as tools or equipment that may not work correctly in freezing temperatures.