It’s been suggested that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) under-counts the number of workplace injuries each year, and that looking at how many workers’ comp claims are filed would provide a better measure of occupational injuries. But what if workers aren’t filing for comp benefits? [Read more…] about Survey: Only 54% of occupational injuries covered by workers’ comp
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Would OSHA get your attention if it copied this Tasmanian program?
What would be the first thing that crossed your mind if someone reported an injured worker? It would probably be, “Oh ****.” And that’s part of the reason why Tasmania has named its new workplace health and safety campaign … [Read more…] about Would OSHA get your attention if it copied this Tasmanian program?
Fired for saying co-driver shouldn’t smoke in vehicle carrying explosives
OSHA has ordered an Arizona trucking company to reinstate an employee and pay him $315,000 in back wages and damages. The employee said his co-driver shouldn’t smoke while hauling explosives — a violation of federal regulations. [Read more…] about Fired for saying co-driver shouldn’t smoke in vehicle carrying explosives
Was pain medicine overdose work-related?
An employee was prescribed pain meds for a workplace injury. He’d also been taking a medication for depression. An accidental overdose of both meds caused his death. Can his widow get survivor’s benefits under workers’ comp? [Read more…] about Was pain medicine overdose work-related?
Safety News Summary for September 10
The year in occupational safety; a new series of articles on threats to workers; rating insect repellants as West Nile Virus continues to top the news; a fraud prevention and compliance blog; and a huge product recall for exploding toilets. It’s all in this week’s Safety News Summary. [Read more…] about Safety News Summary for September 10
Investors sue BP over spill, say it misled them over ‘safety first’ policy
It’s been more than two years since the explosion at a BP rig in the Gulf of Mexico killed 11 workers and caused the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history. The potential consequences for BP continue to pile up, as a new lawsuit shows. [Read more…] about Investors sue BP over spill, say it misled them over ‘safety first’ policy
Investigation into worker’s fall leads to criminal charges against owner
Cheat the workers’ comp system once, you could get fined. Cheat is a second time, you could go to jail. That’s the lesson a business owner in Washington is learning. [Read more…] about Investigation into worker’s fall leads to criminal charges against owner
4 families sue grain company in explosion death of employees
A Kansas grain company faces a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the families of four men who were among six killed when a grain silo exploded in October 2011. [Read more…] about 4 families sue grain company in explosion death of employees
Woman goes to prison for brazen workers’ comp fraud (video)
Officials call it “among the more brazen attempts to exaggerate an injury” in a workers’ compensation case. Now the woman who committed fraud is in prison. Surveillance video uncovered the fraud. [Read more…] about Woman goes to prison for brazen workers’ comp fraud (video)
Workers’ comp: Was officer on duty at time of his death?
Officer Kevin Schultz died saving a 12-year-old boy from drowning. His widow seeks workers’ comp death benefits. The questions facing New Mexico’s Supreme Court: Did she file paperwork on time and was Schultz “on duty” at the time of his death? [Read more…] about Workers’ comp: Was officer on duty at time of his death?