UNASSUMING WORKPLACE DANGERS: PROTECTION MEASURES (GUEST POST)

Many industrial manufacturers did not understand for many years that there are more dangers in the work place than mere physical problems. Obvious safety hazards were eventually addressed as occupational safety agencies were established in each state, but the emphasis on airborne safety hazards were the last to receive proper attention. Much of this attention began in the court system when workers who were breathing toxic chemicals began to file suit. Rules have been established since that time to help workers working in hazardous chemical breathing spaces, but the contamination possibilities still exist in specific workplaces and still calamities occur.

1. Occupational Breathing Hazards

Companies that have potentially toxic breathing spaces now routinely require breathing protection for workers in the affected area. Full breathing masks are required in some industries like asbestos abatement. Asbestos is the classic hazardous material that was outlawed during the 1970s when its toxic properties became apparent. The form of cancer produced by asbestos often takes 20 years to manifest. This discovery also revealed the fact that many other chemicals can produce lung injuries. Protective work wear is now regularly ordered by the state OSHA agencies and all companies know when they need some form of breathing protection. 

2. Occupational Skin Hazards

Occupational skin disorders or injuries account for approximately half of all workplace injuries. Diagnoses of these injuries are normally done through medical testing, but workers in similar areas of employment can often recognize the damage visually. This is particularly true of the food industry, as this is by far the most common industry resulting in various skin injuries. The food industry includes a wide range of manufacturing processes, often beginning with animal slaughtering and including contact with pesticides by production workers. Construction workers are also subject to skin cancer over the life of their career, which can be a problematic legal situation when filing a claim. An injury that appears as a rash can often be much more serious, and may be the result of negligence on the part of an employer. So if you were to find yourself caught in a predicament, you will need to take decisive action to ensure your claim is not looked over by your employer.

Proving Long Term Negligence

Many skin or breathing disorders sustained in employment occur over long periods of time. Even when employers have followed occupational safety standard rules, including measurement logs, negligence can still be validated in court by an experienced and effective bad faith personal injury lawyer. Some injuries are obvious and the body reacts quickly. These are relatively easier cases to prove, but are usually isolated incidents. Cases that involve multiple incidents of breathing or skin disorders give the personal injury professional more evidence to present in court, including the possibility of a class action legal motion. Personal injuries that are the result of negligence are determined under the preponderance standard and are effectively a 51-49 measurement of evidence. 

Researcher Nickey Williams contributes this article for work safety awareness. The lawyers of Doyle Raizner LLP go the distance to help those with employment injuries wade through the claims process with their insurance carriers, such as workers compensation Liberty Mutual. Having legal representation during these stressful situations can help you keep your focus and make sure nothing that works in your favor is omitted.   

Note: Employers should take all safety precautions for their workers who are exposed to breathing hazards, and other risky work.  Texas America Safety has a vast array of quality breathing, skin, and glove protection.

 

 

AGING? READ THESE TWENTY-FOUR TIPS FOR HELPING OUR BRAIN! (GUEST POST)

Happy April 1st!  Before we get one day older, you might take heart to these great ideas sent to us by Kenneymyers.com/blog/: 

  • puzzleAs you age your brain begins to shrink naturally.  However, if you eat right and stay active you can actually reverse the shrinkage.  Another way to keep your brain sharp is by using your brain to do puzzles that will challenge you.  You can also take a class.  When you are learning something new, you are using a different part of your brain, and in essence you are exercising your mind.  One of the easiest ways to keep your brain sharp is to stay socially active, whether it’s in person or online.  These 24 blog entries will give you some more ideas of things you can do to keep your brain in tip top shape.
  • Puzzles

Some people enjoy doing crosswords and other puzzles and complete them regularly.  If that’s you, it’s important that you change things up and try something new.  If you can create new pathways in your brain, you will be the better for it.  Try Sudoku or a word find.  Maybe you could take up playing chess.  The logic required to strategize in chess will really stretch your brain muscle.  If you don’t do puzzles now, you might take up the hobby.  Take a look at these six blog posts for more ideas on games that will keep you sharp.

Keep Learning

It’s important that you never stop learning.  When your mind is idle you may start to lose the ability to remember and retrieve information.  You are never too old to learn a new language or to take a class.  Think about things you’ve always wanted to learn and find a class where you can learn it.  Even reading a book about something new will help to keep your mind sharp.  Check out the following six blogs for more ideas on how you can continue to learn.

Stay Active

Exercise produces a chemical in your body that helps keep your brain young according to Dr. Edgerly from Columbia University.  He and his team have performed many studies regarding exercise and the effects of aging on the brain.  When you are sedentary you are not getting as much oxygen to your brain, which is needed to keep you alert and sharp.  By looking at these six blogs, you may find just the information that you need to encourage you to get up and move.

Be Social

It may sound funny that one way to keep your brain sharp is to go socialize with your friends, but it’s true.  Having a lively conversation with a friend or even the guy at the hardware store is one way to stimulate your brain.  If you are unable to get around, you might try signing up for Facebook online.  By posting once a day and reading other people’s posts you are being social and staying connected.  These six blog articles will give you some other ideas on how to be social.

Note: We appreciate these great ideas that apply to everyone, regardless of age.  When one reaches the point that they have more free time, it is wise to not lose time being with friends. Set a certain day, once a month, or as often as possible to take a little day trip together, or get out and join a golf group.  A new activity for me is learning to play bridge with my friends.  There are all types of fun things to do, so don’t stay on the couch and eat bon-bons every day!  Enjoy life, it’s too short, and getting shorter every day! pb