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Some workers in Pennsylvania need to do at least part of their jobs in confined spaces. These include agriculture workers, miners, construction workers, electrical workers and many others. It’s important work that needs to be done. But an accident puts them at risk for suffering a serious workplace illness or injury. What confined spaces do...

Many companies in Pennsylvania have been laying off workers as a result of the economic fallout caused by the novel coronavirus crisis (COVID-19). It’s a time of great uncertainty, and workers who had recently returned to their jobs on light duty after a workers’ compensation claim may not know how this affects them. Can my...

The gig economy is a term used to describe an emerging company model for hiring workers. Companies hire short-term workers, independent contractors, or freelancers to take on many of the same tasks as employees. Uber and Lyft are notorious for classifying drivers as independent contractors. For many people looking to earn a living, gig work...

Drug use on the job not only puts the drug user at risk but can harm other workers, as well. On-the-job overdoses can also result in serious workplace accidents, especially when heavy machinery is involved. Workers who are under the influence of alcohol and certain drugs may be more likely to make errors, due to...

Companies must adapt to the latest changes in business, including workplace safety. An article in Occupational Health & Safety outlines three workplace safety trends for 2020 that employers should consider: Companies will continue to downsize workforces, forcing safety professionals to take on more responsibilities. They can no longer specialize in fire, security, environmental and other...

Not all job-related injuries are sustained during accidents. Sometimes the nature of the work being performed is enough to induce nagging aches and pains in seasoned workers. Repetitive strain injuries occur across a wide range of occupations — from office employees to construction workers. After months or years of performing the same tasks, the muscles, tendons,...

Fatigue can impact our overall job performance and safety, and there is a certain demographic of Pennsylvania workers who are regularly affected by fatigue, including: Night shift workers Rotating shift workers Those who drive for long periods of time Workers who have small children Workers with sleep disorders, like sleep apnea Anyone can be at...

If you have a physically demanding job, chances are you have felt fatigued – and that’s when your job can get dangerous. You might lift a heavy item and immediately feel pain in your back. The injury could sideline you from work and lead to a workers’ compensation claim. Fatigue also can put workers engaged...

Those who work in construction and other industrial sectors throughout Pennsylvania know the toll operating power tools and heavy machinery can take on their bodies. Among the many risks associated with this type of work, vibrations to the body — especially the hands and arms — can lead to a variety of health complications. The hand-arm health...

The EHS Daily Advisor, which covers environment, health and safety management, reports nearly 20,000 food workers suffered nonfatal workplace injuries in 2016. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks the types of typical food industry injuries as follows: sprains, strains and tears (47 percent) back pain and soreness (20 percent) musculoskeletal system and connective tissue...