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.