Temporary labor, especially blue-collar labor, has become a very injury-prone sector of the job market. Due to harsh economic times, many employers have hired temporary workers rather than full-time employees. This is especially true in jobs that require manual labor. For example, workplace settings would include industrial manufacturing facilities, warehouses and construction sites. These workplace injuries often stem from situations…
Employers in the restaurant and catering industry have a responsibility to comply with New York state’s safety standards to ensure a working environment safe from hazards such as heat, dangerous machinery and chemicals. However, sometimes injuries in the workplace arise from more unusual and uncontrollable combinations of circumstances. When is an injury an occupational one and there fore deserving of…
Annmarie G. Gentile was recently sworn in as Vice Chair of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. The Hon. Robert G. Gigante, Surrogate Richmond County, personally presided over the ceremony and administered the oath to Ms. Gentile on January 9, 2014 at which time other members of the Chamber’s Executive Board of the Chamber were also sworn in. Ms. Gentile is…
The U.S. Department of Labor has released an online educational resource that can assist the health care sector in protecting the health of medical workers. Many people in Staten Island work in the health care industry. In addition to the risk of injury common to many workplaces, health care employees are particularly vulnerable to occupational illnesses and diseases. This additional…
Independent research has proven that, in the past, New York’s workers’ compensation structure neither provides a positive medical benefit or timely payment to injured workers. Quick delivery of workers’ compensation benefits, however, causes employers to incur fewer costs than those associated with delayed payments. Not to mention, prompt payment is obviously helpful for the injured worker. Unfortunately in New York,…
It was recently reported that the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration plans to significantly lower the amount of silica workers can be exposed to on the job. Reuters Health reported that OSHA expects that the change could save as many as 700 lives per year. Since 1971, the permissible level of silica exposure has been set at 0.1 milligrams…
It is very important for employees to know their rights when it comes to workplace accidents. Workplace injuries can put employees out of work, and leave them unable to support themselves and their families. A scaffolding fall, falling debris, negligent operating of machinery, and employer negligence are all instances that may require representation in the courtroom when you are seeking…
Every construction company should make sure that their buildings are safe, not just for future users but also for the construction workers who are toiling to get the job done. Any accidents during the construction of the establishment, such as electrical accidents, falls and machinery accidents, may be grounds for a lawsuit from the workers or their families if a…
“Through the 2013 Business Relief Act, the state is providing a practical and affordable way for thousands of businesses to meet their responsibilities so that injured workers can receive the compensation they deserve,” said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday, Dec. 20. Gov. Cuomo was talking about how the Business Relief Act would help pay for workers’ compensation claims…
Construction workers inherently work in a dangerous industry. They are around powerful machinery; they deal with heavy equipment and materials; and the chaotic nature of a construction site lends itself to accidents. Just because these brave people work in a tough industry does not mean that any harm or injuries they suffer is “part of the job.” They need laws,…
When people think about workplace safety, they commonly refer to best practices for preventing injuries in dangerous working environments, such as mine shafts, construction sites, and warehouses. Conversations about workplace safety usually do not include environments where nano-materials are being used. However, as an increasing number of products include these materials, the importance of maintaining proper safety protocols becomes important.…
As many New York residents are aware, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration serves a variety of very important functions in this country. Of the utmost concern to many workers out there, OSHA is the organization that makes sure that every workplace is in proper order, in terms of protocols, cleanliness and employee safety (among other things). OSHA also…
