Preventing back injuries at work From walking and bending to lifting and reaching, all of these motions engage the muscles in the back and, if performed incorrectly, can result in an individual suffering painful injuries. Even the acts of standing and sitting put stress on the lower back region and, over time, can result in muscle weakness and strain. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 20 [...]

Protecting workers during the cold winter months At times, winter in New York City can be brutal. Bone-chilling cold, snow and ice are all par for the course this time of year and employers should take steps to protect employees from suffering the ill-effects of all three. Regarding the actual cold temperatures, workers who work outdoors or in unheated warehouses are not only at an increased risk [...]

Workers’ compensation benefits are often difficult to secure Many New York residents are likely somewhat familiar with the basic premise and purpose of the workers’ compensation system. In general workers’ compensation is funded by employers who are required to pay into the insurance fund which pays benefits to workers who are injured on the job. While the basic purpose of workers’ compensation seems simple enough, the actual [...]

Protecting temporary workers this holiday season As the month of October draws to a close, the holiday season will soon be upon us and with it the 2015 holiday shopping season. Every year, retail stores across the country and throughout New York City seem to kick off their holiday sales earlier and earlier. For many stores, this means staying open later and staffing more employees. A recent [...]

The fatality rate among U.S. workers climbed 16 percent last year Imagine kissing your spouse goodbye in the morning as he or she headed off to work and soon thereafter receiving a telephone call that there’s been a terrible accident and your spouse was fatally injured. For the families of 4,679 workers, last year, this nightmare scenario became their reality. The U.S. Labor Department recently released preliminary [...]

What is sick building syndrome? According to the Cleveland Clinic, the average U.S. adult takes an average of 16 breaths per minute. This means that during a normal eight-hour work day, an employee takes approximately 7,680 breaths. Of course breathing is second nature and most of us don’t give any thought to the action of breathing or to the quality of the air we’re inhaling. There are [...]

Preventing fall-related injuries in the construction industry Residents of New York City are accustomed to seeing large cranes hovering over skyscrapers and busy construction sites. After a building slump, construction projects in the city are once-again plentiful with statistics showing that in 2014 alone a total of 98,000 building permits were issued in the city. What’s more, with the Buildings Department enjoying nearly a 30 percent budget [...]

New York court nixes employer’s pre-existing condition argument One of the aspects of the Affordable Care Act lauded by consumer advocates was the directive regarding pre-existing conditions. For decades, health insurance companies had been denying coverage for individuals who had conditions like asthma or cancer when their policy went into effect. We will cover everything but this, insurers said, even if a new therapy could save your [...]

Workers’ risks of suffering heat-related illnesses increase with summer temps After an especially brutal winter, it is finally summer and New York City residents are basking in the sun and enjoying the heat of summer. Along with the warmer temperatures, come hazards associated with heat exhaustion and stress. For individuals who work at warehouses, manufacturing facilities, restaurants and construction sites; heat-related illnesses and medical conditions are especially [...]