Author Archives: Site Administrator
When a robot tussle leads to workers’ comp (Part I)
The subject of robots in the workplace is this month’s feature in Safety & Health. As Susan Vargas reports, roughly 250,000 industrial robots toil away in factories and other workplaces in the U.S. – and they’ve been here for years. This isn’t news for any employee who works near one. But recent advances have… Read More »
Can robots improve workplace safety? (Part II)
According to the Robotic Industries Association, over 250,000 industrial robots were installed in the United States in 2017. Workers in Connecticut who work alongside robotic systems should understand the safety implications associated with the technology. The robots that are used in the workplace do not resemble those typically featured in science fiction programs. In… Read More »
The history and purpose of workers’ compensation
“The odds favored the employers in defeating any action brought by an injured employee or the employee’s survivors.” – Nancy Bonuomo Today we take workers’ compensation for granted. A statutory presumption holds that employees are compensated for on-the-job illness and injury – not no-questions-asked by any means, but something close to that, at least… Read More »
Many types of machines pose pinch point hazards to workers
Employers in Connecticut have a legal duty to identify and mitigate hazards that could injure workers. Pinch point dangers represent a class of hazards that creates the potential for a person or part of a person’s body to get caught and squeezed. Pinch points can exist between the moving parts of a machine, a… Read More »
Carpal tunnel syndrome and workers’ comp
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that affects many workers in Connecticut, and some of them may be wondering if it can be covered under the workers’ compensation program. The answer varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction since there have been many legal and medical debates about the nature of CTS, but the condition is… Read More »
Pro athletes doing bad deeds: Workers’ comp edition
It makes sense that Property Casualty 360 (a national underwriter) would publish an article about pro athletes trying to “game the system.” The article ends with a link to America’s Claims Event, which takes place in Austin this summer. At the Event, attendees can learn how insurers spot fraudulent claims. The article was written… Read More »
Eye injuries a danger on the job
Keeping one’s eyes safe on the job is important for people in Connecticut dealing with hazardous tasks and substances. However, even for workers in offices, eye safety can be a priority and a matter for action as eye injuries in the workplace can be costly and devastating. There are over 20,000 injuries to workers’… Read More »
OSHA continues alliance with entertainment industry groups
Connecticut workers in the entertainment industry may be interested to know that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opted to continue an alliance with two major entertainment worker organizations for another five years. By renewing its partnership with International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, OSHA… Read More »
Determining a safe anchor point
For some workers and employers in Connecticut, the selection of anchor points can be a concern when aiming to comply with the standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Many safety professionals believe that the relevant regulations should have the anchor points capable of supporting 5,000 pounds per person attached. However, the… Read More »
Former OSHA head emphasizes enforcement for worker safety
Workers on the job in Connecticut and across the country face dangerous situations in many cases that must be addressed by clear enforcement and general oversight. The former head of the Occupational Safety and Health Association, or OSHA, emphasized these points in testimony before a Congressional subcommittee on protections for the workforce. He emphasized… Read More »