Nearly six thousand people are killed each year while at work and a new study on workplace injuries shows that the culture of the workplace has an affect on the number of injuries that occur each year.

Researchers at the University of Georgia looked into the perception of safety at a workplace and the number of injuries. The study looked into a variety of occupations and found that a positive view on safety in the company can result in a 32 percent less injuries.

“We’ve known for some time that certain occupations are more dangerous than others due to a variety of physical and other hazards,” said study author Dave DeJoy, Ph.D. “But in the last 20 years, there has been growing evidence that management and organizational factors also play a critical role. That is, actions taken or not taken at the organizational level can either set the stage for injuries or help prevent them.”

If you or a loved one has been injured at the workplace, you need representation that may be able to help you receive the compensation that you deserve. Contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 610-667-7511 today.

Last week, construction work at the World Trade Center building site in New York City was stopped after steel beams fell 40 stories. A crane working on the future 72-story tower dropped the steel beams onto the truck that delivered them.

The beams fell at around 10 a.m. on Thursday. Officials at the construction site reported that the accident occurred when a cable on the crane snapped. Debris from the accident stayed in the construction site, and nearby activities at the 9/11 Memorial and another construction site continued.

Thankfully, no workers were injured in this accident, but accidents at construction sites can be extremely dangerous. If you or someone you love has been injured in a construction accident, contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorneys at 215-238-1130 to learn more about receiving compensation for work-related injuries.

An agenda recently released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration suggests that officials will be reevaluating the administration’s permissible exposure limits, or PELs.

PELs are regulations that state the amount of time before chemical exposure becomes harmful to a person.  Some PELs were established as long as 40-years ago and have never been updated.

OSHA’s Fall 2011 semi-annual regulatory agenda shows that the agency is working on a Request for Information (RFI) to be released in August.  This will gather input from the public on how to limit occupational hazards associated with chemical exposure, and is expected to be a starting point from which OSHA will reevaluate and update their PELs.

To speak with an attorney about getting the workers’ compensation you deserve, contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130 today.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating salons across the country for formaldehyde violations.

Exposure to the chemical can cause eye and nose irritation, breathing difficulty, and allergic reactions.  Also, research has found formaldehyde to be a cancer hazard.  The chemical is most often inhaled from the air or absorbed through the skin.

Many hair straightening and smoothing products contain formaldehyde.  One product especially has come under fire by officials: Brazilian Blowout.  The product’s label says that it is “formaldehyde free,” but it in fact does contain the chemical.

This year, the federal agency has cited 23 salons and beauty schools in Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, Florida, Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts for failing to properly protect their employees and clients.  Fines have been as high as $17,500.

To learn more about receiving workers’ compensation for any injuries or illnesses you have suffered because of unsafe working conditions, contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130 today.

Earlier this month, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration began investigations into the death of  Middleburg man.

The 62-year old was employed at Plaza House Furniture as a warehouse supervisor.  The man was injured when he fell from a ladder while performing the duties of his job.

Paramedics took the worker to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville for treatment of his injuries.  Tragically, the man passed away from the injuries he incurred in the accident 12 days later.

Reports did not indicate at what height the man fell.  Investigators have up to 6 months to complete their work.

Last year, 46 people in Pennsylvania died from elevated falls.  8 of these accidents involved ladders.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and friends.

Last week, OSHA Assistant Secretary David Michaels issued a list of suggestions for retailers to protect their employees on Black Friday.  In 2008, a worker was killed on Black Friday when a crowd of shoppers pushed through the retail store’s doors and trampled the employee.

OSHA recommends that retailers create and implement plans that will prevent worker injury and establish rules to address what actions should be taken in the case of an emergency or injury.  For example, the agency suggests that retailers designate certain employees to contact 9-1-1 if a situation becomes dangerous to workers or customers.  In addition, OSHA’s statement says that retailers could use barricades and bullhorns to control crowds of shoppers.

The statement reads, “Crowd management should begin in advance of events that are likely to draw large crowds, and crowd management, pre-event setup and emergency situation management should be part of event planning.”

Contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130, if you or someone you know has been injured in the workplace.

New statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reveal that injuries and illnesses in the healthcare industry increased in 2010.

Healthcare workers were most likely to develop a musculoskeletal disorder last year.  Incidents involving these disorders increased by 10 percent to a rate of 249 cases per every 10,000 healthcare workers.

Injuries and illnesses among nursing aides, attendants, and orderlies increased to a rate of 489 incidents per 10,000 workers — an increase of 7 percent.  There was a 6 percent increase in injuries and illnesses among healthcare support workers.  These workers experienced injuries and illness at a rate of 283 incidents per 10,000 workers.

The rate of injury and illness throughout the entire U.S. workforce is about 118 incidents per 10,000 workers.

If you or someone you know has been injured or become ill as the result of employment conditions, contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130 to discuss your situation with one of our experienced attorneys.

A recent survey questioned American workers on stress in the workplace after the economic recession.  62 percent of the survey’s participants said that their employer is trying to accomplish more with fewer resources as a result of the recession.

More than half of workers say that they have taken on a greater number of responsibilities after the economic downtown.  70 percent of these workers reported not receiving an increase in pay for their additional responsibilities.

Studies show that stress in the workplace causes an increase in sick leave taken by employees and conflict between employees.  In addition, a stressful work environment causes employees to become more distracted and dissatisfied on the job, which leads to more mistakes, accidents, and injuries in the workplace.

51 percent of participants in the survey said that taking on more responsibilities at work has had a negative impact on their well-being.

To speak with an experienced attorney about receiving workers’ compensation for an injury incurred on the job, contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130 today.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed in 1971, making this year the 40th anniversary of the act and the formation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Under the OSH Act, workers are entitled to a safe and healthy workplace.  Before the act passed, employees who were unhappy with a workplace’s environment were forced to find new jobs.

The National Safety Council estimates that 38 people died on the job every day in 1971.  Now, with a workforce two times the size, the NSC estimates that 12 people die on the job every day.

If you or someone you know is seeking an experienced attorney to help them receive workers’ compensation, contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130 today.

A new regulation for workers is being debated in the House of Representatives.

Last Wednesday, David Michaels, head of the U.S. Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, was asked to appear before legislators to explain the recent addition of a federal regulation that requires roofers to use safety harnesses in residential projects.

Some feel that the regulation imposes too many costs and red tape.  In contrast, Michaels called OSHA’s regulations “vitally important” and many believe the regulation could prevent thousands of injuries and fatalities.

The regulation went into effect for construction companies and residential builders in September.  Previously, these types of employers were exempted from regulations that require roofers to use safety harnesses at heights of 6-feet or higher off the ground.

If you or a loved one has been injured on the job and is seeking workers’ compensation in Philadelphia, contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130 to speak with one of our attorneys today.