Exposure to particulates in the workplace can pose a health risk to workers. A century ago, grain mills without adequate ventilation technology may have exposed workers to unhealthy levels of flour dust, resulting in a condition commonly referred to as white lung. The modern equivalent turns out to be silica
Although many California companies might be exploring the feasibility of alternative fuel sources, petroleum remains a dominant fuel source for consumers and businesses. That demand, in turn, requires infrastructure and plants. Yet the concentration of highly flammable gas or petroleum products in one plant might create a safety hazard, as
According to recent data, California’s state regulators are enforcing workplace safety rules with efforts that may exceed their federal counterparts. Issuing citations and levying fines for workplace safety violations are a common tactic used by safety officials. On average, a fine for a violation of a safety rule promulgated by
A workplace inspection by an Occupational Safety and Health Administration official that results in a citation might subject an employer to financial penalties. Although a large corporation might be able to absorb that expense, the subjective impact to a small business owner might be much greater. Yet a workers’ compensation lawyer might
A workers’ compensation attorney might agree that federal workplace safety laws are often prospective in focus. Regulations and safety precautions are industry specific and intended to minimize the occurrence of on-the-job injuries. One way that officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration can monitor workplace safety — and determine
A recent story illustrates a potential limitation to workers’ compensation benefits. Even if a workplace injury left an employee permanently disabled, there may be a limit to how long he or she can receive payments. In this example, a 28-year-old California sheriff’s deputy for Sacramento County was critically injured when the department’s
The month of July may mean triple digit temperatures for many parts of California. For farm workers and other employees who work outdoors, that level of extreme heat may pose a safety risk. In fact, officials from California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration have already been called upon to investigate
Californians like to customize their beer, as evidenced by the popularity of microbreweries and the craft beer movement. A state law that allows breweries to sell their craft brews on their own premises also helps to ensure a unique experience for California foodie-types. Craft breweries have also popped up around
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issues regulations for employers in many different types of industries. Such laws are intended to make workplaces safer for workers by requiring preventative safety measures, as well as safety protocols, to apply to potentially dangerous activities. If a worker does sustain an on-the-job injury,
Workers who are nationals of other countries but working in California might not realize there are protections available to them in the event of a workplace injury. Officials from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration apparently share this concern. According to a recent press release, OSHA recently announced a
