Kansas City Injury Lawyer Blog

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/18/137258370/if-table-saws-can-be-safer-why-arent-they

Every year, thousands of people are injured from the use of table saws. Many of these injuries involve fingertip amputations that can leave a person disabled. These injuries concern not just Missouri personal injury lawyers, but also Missouri workers' compensation attorneys because table saws are used not just by people at home, but also by woodworkers. The tragedy of it all is that these injuries can be prevented through a simple safe device.

The device is called Saw Stop, and it is the brainchild of inventor Steve Gass. Gass invented the technology a few years ago, and offered to license it to manufacturers of table saws. The device is designed to detect the presence of a human finger in the path of the blade. When this happens, the blade automatically stops, thereby preventing injuries.

However, manufacturers of table saws have not been too keen on incorporating this technology. It could cost about $100 more to incorporate Saw Stop in each table saw, and manufacturers don't believe that it is a worthwhile investment. The manufacturers lobby has strongly resisted any attempts by consumer safety groups to get the federal administration to mandate these safety technologies on all table saws.

Last month, representatives of Saw Stop and the National Consumers League visited lawmakers and regulators in Washington. They are seeking to make Saw Stop mandatory on all table saws.

The technology to prevent table saw-related injuries is not just available, but it is also effective and simple. More so, installation of Saw Stop would not be that much more expensive, when you factor in the costs of treatment of fingertip amputations, as well as the long-term effects in terms of loss of wages and loss of future earnings.

http://www.safetyphoto.co.uk/blog/osha-slide-presentation-shows-employers-how-to-protect-residential-construction-workers-from-falls/

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has designed a presentation aimed at educating employers about the prevention of fall accidents in the residential construction sector. The presentation is available on the OSHA website, and Missouri construction accident lawyers would encourage construction companies to access the website and make the presentation mandatory viewing for their employees.

Fall accidents are one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities for residential construction workers. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, in the year 2009, there were approximately 8.3 million workers in the construction industry, and out of these, 816 workers were killed in workplace accidents. That works out to about 9.8 fatalities per 100,000 workers. Out of the fatalities in 2009, 277 were caused by fall accidents. There were a total of 42 fatal falls in residential construction in 2009. That same year, there were also a total of 17 fatalities in falls from roofs.

According to Dr. David Michaels who is the assistant secretary of labor for OSHA, the fact that workers continue to be injured in falls in residential construction when the means to prevent such accidents are easily available, is unacceptable.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration presentation outlines a number of methods that employers can use in order to prevent such falls. Covers can be used to prevent workers falling through open holes. Workers can use positioning devices while they're working on framework. Barricades and fences can be erected when workers are working on elevations to prevent them from falls. Equipment guards can be used to prevent the danger of workers falling into open equipment.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also focuses heavily on worker training. Many fall accidents occur because of lack of training. Workers must not only be provided fall protection systems, but must also be trained to use them. They must also be trained about identifying fall hazards in the workplace.

Horn Law litigates complex construction and industrial accident cases. Not only do these cases demand in-depth investigations, but also strong medical experts, including life care specialists. As well, because these type of cases always involve a substantial present and future income loss, other experts, such as an economist are necessary. We handle all types of industrial and construction related injuries. In our experience, these are the most common cases:

1. Accidental Falls. Failure to have adequate fall protection at a work site is a leading cause of accidental death. Unstable ladders also present substantial safety risks.
2. Scaffolding. Scaffolding accidents usually involve a failure of the planks or structural supports. Slip and falls and falling debris also account for serious injuries and death.
3. Toxic Exposures: Insufficient oxygen environments, chemical exposures, harmful gases, sprays, mists, and smoke can cause immediate injury and/or longer-term illness and disease.
4. Electrical Hazards: Working with electricity is always dangerous and strict guidelines must be followed or the work site is at substantial risk.
5. Fires. Most fires occur because of breakdown in safety policies, procedures, and protocols in using and storing hazardous chemicals.

Work site accidents causing serious injury and wrongful death requires detailed legal consultation and thorough investigations. We can arrange immediate no charge consultations and investigations. Please contact lead attorney Douglas R. Horn at 816-795-7500 or dhorn@hornlaw.com. Doug can put a team of experts to work for you and your family.