Just months ago, our firm wrote about the dangers of crystalline silica dust in the workplace. Silica dust is particularly hazardous to kitchen countertop installers, who face disproportionately high rates of serious – and sometimes incurable – respiratory disorders. In response to the recent influx in silica dust-related illnesses and deaths, the Department of Labor[…]

Occupational asthma is a respiratory condition caused by inhaling gases, dusts, chemical fumes, or other substances while working. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can also develop after exposure to substances that the worker has sensitivity to (such as an allergy or immune response). Because certain substances are known to cause occupational asthma, it is[…]

Although a new bill was recently proposed that could result in people losing their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, few have noticed. The current administration first proposed the bill, which would allow the government to decide whether or not individuals already awarded SSDI benefits still qualify as “disabled”, in November. Current rules require individuals[…]

Safeguards are used in workplaces to ensure that machine-related hazards are controlled or eliminated. Often, employers are responsible for putting these safeguards into place – but sometimes, employees need to implement or verify them before initiating certain work tasks. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), safeguards are essential for protecting workers against[…]

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 20,000 workplace eye injuries happen every year. Despite the fact that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to implement a variety control methods in order to protect employees from exposure to eye and face hazards, injuries – some fatal – continue to[…]