The mayor of Berwyn, Illinois has prohibited the use of firehouse exercise equipment, due to concerns about potential workers' compensation claims.  The move follows the injury of firefighter Stephen Petergal, who suffered a hernia while working out on a firehouse treadmill last November.

Berwyn Mayor Michael O'Connor said that the action was taken as the result of an overall rise in workers' compensation claims against the city.  He added that the city has paid a total of $6 million in workers' compensation claims since June of 2004.

Petergal ultimately required surgery due to the hernia.  He said he
filed a workers' compensation claim because he believed that his health
insurance would otherwise not cover his injury.

Berwyn Fire Chief Denis O'Halloran said that not allowing firefighters to use the equipment at work has affected firehouse morale.  He also claimed that a lack of regular excercise could lead to even more injuries among firefighters.

The firefighters union has filed a grievance against the city as a result of the exercise ban.  The issue will now go into arbitration for a possible resolution.

If you've been injured at work, it is important that you understand your legal rights regarding workers' compensation claims. Contact the Philadelphia workers' compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 610-667-7511 for more information. 

A Kansas company has taken the unique step of establishing a
daily stretching exercise program in order to reduce the prevalence of
workplace injuries.  Construction firm
UCI now requires all employees to participate in the program, which begins each
morning at 7:30 a.m.

Workplace injuries are common in the construction industry,
but UCI says their program has helped to substantially reduce their
occurrence.  The company has even drawn
praise from the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration, which has
awarded them a special Voluntary Protection Program designation.

UCI says that workplace safety has always been a part of
their corporate culture, but the stretching program has enhanced this culture even
further and produced tangible results.  The
potential cost of workplace accidents to companies like UCI can be substantial,
even for injuries like ankle sprains.  In
addition, reducing the prevalence of workplace injuries leads to lower corporate
insurance premiums.

No matter how many precautions an employer may take, it is
impossible to completely eliminate the possibility of a workplace injury.  Fortunately, there are laws in place to
protect employees in these situations.  If
you or someone you know has had an accident while on the job, contact the Philadelphia workers' compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C.
at 610-667-7511 to find out more.