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An oncoming car struck a 22-year-old female pedestrian as she stepped into the road at the corner of Dorchester Avenue and West Broadway as she focused her attention on her text message instead of oncoming traffic, according to Boston.com. To make matters worse, the motorist was paying as little attention as the pedestrian was as the car ran over the young woman’s foot.
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Last September, Massachusetts banned texting behind the wheel, but texting pedestrians remains legal. With summer upon us, many pedestrians will be hitting our sidewalks to soak up the beautiful weather and motorists are urged to be on the lookout. Distracted driving may soon be a thing of the past as distracted pedestrians are reportedly colliding with cars, telephone poles, tumbling down stairs, slipping off curb, and colliding with into other pedestrians. Pedestrian accidents in Boston may soon outnumber car accidents.

In all seriousness, our Boston personal injury lawyers understand the popularity of our handheld devices, but we need not forget the importance of alert and cautious travel. We urge pedestrians and motorists to work together to help keep our roadways injury-free during these beautiful months that are rolling in.

According to nationwide research conducted at Ohio State University, pedestrian texting accidents resulted in more than 1,000 visits to the emergency room in 2008. Unfortunately, these statistics were examined when Americans were sending a mere 1 trillion texts. Americans are now sending more than 2 trillion texts. The study expects new numbers to come out next month.

“I’m not sure people realize they are putting themselves at risk,” said Jack Nasar, a professor of city and regional planning at Ohio State.

As many pedestrians take their eyes off the road, motorists need to increase their awareness of their travels. While pedestrians create obstacles by themselves with their focus on their phones, a pedestrian’s biggest threat is a collision with a motor vehicle.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 4,000 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2009. Another 59,000 pedestrians were injured that same year. Pedestrian deaths made up 12 percent of all traffic fatalities and 3 percent of traffic injuries in 2009.

Massachusetts witnessed almost 50 pedestrian traffic fatalities in 2009 alone.

To help preserve the safety of pedestrians, PR Web offers these tips to motorists:
-Always be aware of your surroundings. Check your peripheral vision often as dangers can lurk from all sides.

-Look, and look again, before turning. This is especially important to remember when making a right turn on red. Be sure to check that crosswalks are clear before turning.

-Pay attention to weather and traffic conditions. Be sure to adjust your speed accordingly, especially when it is raining and your visibility is reduced.

-Always activate your turn signal when attempting a maneuver. If there are no vehicles around you, you should put on your blinker so that pedestrians you may not have seen know your next move.
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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupation Safety and Health Administration will be conducting a national outreach initiative in an attempt to help to educate workers and employers about the hazards of outdoor work. Proper precautionary steps need to be taken by those working outdoors in an effort to reduce the risks of heat-related illnesses and other work injuries in Boston and elsewhere.

1170137_street_works.jpg“If you’re working outdoors, you’re at risk for heat-related illnesses that can cause serious medical problems and even death,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “But heat illness can be prevented. This Labor Department campaign will reach across the country with a very simple message – water, rest and shade.”

Our Boston workers’ compensation lawyers understand that working conditions can vary tremendously for outdoor workers. It is recommended that such workers educate themselves about proper measures to protect their health in all working conditions, especially during the hotter months.

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Roughly 150 workers have been killed, and nearly 1,000 injured, in combustible dust explosions since 1980, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In attempt to better understand combustible dust explosions and to find ways to prevent such incidents OSHA invited outside experts to participate in a Combustible Dust Expert Forum later this month. OSHA is looking to gather experts’ views and perspectives on possible regulatory options for addressing the safety issues of combustible dust hazards.

The Combustible Dust Expert Forum will include discussions targeting regulatory options that can help to minimize the costs to small- and medium-sized businesses of reducing or preventing combustible dust hazards. Representatives from various industries, academia, research groups, insurance-underwriter organizations, labor, and government will comprise expert representation at the Forum.
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Our Boston workers’ compensation attorneys understand the importance of identifying the cause of these problems in effort to determine safe solutions to help protect workers. All safety measures should be taken by employers and employees to help keep the workplace safe for all.

The National Emphasis Program in 2007 was one of OSHA’s earlier efforts to address various combustible dust hazards. They conducted various targeted inspections that took a look at various workplaces that created or handled combustible dust. Results from these inspections illustrated that facilities had an alarmingly high number of general duty clause violations. These findings indicated a strong need for to create a combustible dust standard. This resulted in the publication of an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in 2009. With even more efforts, OSHA conducted six stakeholders meetings and a Web chat to discuss combustible dust in attempt to expand the opportunity for public and stakeholder participation.

Combustible materials, and sometimes even materials that are normally considered noncombustible, can burn rapidly when they’re in a finely divided form. If these types of dusts are suspended in air in the right concentration, the result can be an explosion. The force from these explosions can lead to worker deaths, injuries, and even the destruction of entire buildings.

Combustible dusts can include:

-Various fine particles.

-Chips.

-Fibers.

-Chunks or flakes that can potentially cause implosion of fire when suspended in air.

These various forms of combustible dusts can be made of metal, plastic, wood, sugar, flour, coal, rubber or paper. OSHA’s Safety and Health Topics page on combustible dust offers more details information about this dangerous hazard.

The Combustible Dust Expert Forum will be May 13, 2010 at the Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. at 9 p.m.
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A new and updated rule, created to protect the safety and health of shipyard workers, has recently been put into effect by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The rule has recently been published in the Federal Register and takes the place of an existing rule. It is now more compatible with the recent advances in shipyard industry practices and technology. It provides new protections from hazards that previously the rule did not address. It now includes details pertaining to the control of hazardous energy. The new rule is expected to prevent nearly 400 serious work inures in Boston and elsewhere in the United States.

“This final rule is the result of collaboration between OSHA and the maritime industry,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “Shipyard work is dangerous, and we believe we have crafted a rule that protects workers while balancing employer concerns regarding implementation.”
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Our Boston personal workers’ compensation attorneys know the dangers inherent in working in shipyards. It is the responsibility of the employer to make sure that working conditions meet all safety requirements and regulations in effort to help keep all employees safe on the job.

The final rule will address fourteen workplace safety and health categories. This will update and clarify provisions in current shipyard employment standards that had virtually gone untouched or changed since 1972, when OSHA adopted the initial rule. The new rules include the creating and enforce minimum lighting on certain work sites, assisting employees at the end of their work shifts and at the end of job tasks when working alone. The rule will also add new uniform criteria to be sure that shipyards have an adequate number of properly trained first-aid providers.

OSHA will also be adding new provisions to help control hazardous energy and to increase vehicle safety. Before the establishment of this final rule, the maritime industry had no specific standards that addressed the control of hazardous energy.

According to data from the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, transportation accidents make up nearly 20 percent of all shipyard deaths. The new rule’s provisions aim to significantly reduce these incidents as they will now require everyone use of seat belts while operating a motor vehicle in a shipyard.

A full copy of OSHA’s new rule can be found on their web page designated to the updates. Employees and employers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new regulations and abide by them on shipyards.
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A photography contest, conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), urges residents to capture a creative snapshot of workplace safety and health, according to a U.S. Department of Labor press release. The contest, titled “Picture It!”, aims to strike up awareness of the importance of a safe working environment to help prevent a work accident in Boston and elsewhere in the United States.
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Our Boston workers’ compensation lawyers would like too remind employees, and employers, that a safe working environment should be kept and maintained at all times. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that employees are safe and protected from danger and injury while on the job. Our lawyers continue to work tirelessly to recognize and fight for the rights of employees who may have been injured on the job.

OSHA is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, which they will continue to celebrate throughout the entire year. Picture It! is kicking off the celebration and is open to those 18 and older. The contest will be accepting submissions through August 12.

Residents are encouraged to invite their friends and family to participate in the fun and creative event. You can download the contest flyer from the OSHA website to help share the details.

Photographers are asked to share their visions of workplace safety and health, and they may do so in any way they choose. Photos must be taken in the United States. Prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners. Photographers are asked to use their artistic skills to successfully portray occupational safety and health in such a way that would help to raise interest in the general public.

Submissions will be judged by accomplished photography professionals. They will be judged on the quality of the photograph, their compatibility with OSHA publications, clarity of the conveyed message, creativity and originality. Photos must include workers, employers or workplace imagery.

Photographs submitted by the judged winners and finalists will be posted on the OSHA photo contest web site. First-place will receive a framed letter of congratulations from Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. The three winning photos will be displayed in OSHA’s national office in Washington. The organization hopes that the participation and display of these winning photos will serve as a daily reminder for leading policymakers and prominent professionals of the purpose and drive behind OSHA’s mission.

OSHA contractors and special government employees are encouraged to participate as well. On-site consultation employees and federal OSHA, “state plan” state OSHA employees are not eligible. They will be asked to participate in a separate and internal contest that will be running during the same time as the public contest.

A complete list of contest rules and regulations and instructions on how to submit your photo can be found on OSHA’s website.
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A new technology, already used to decrease the risk of motor-vehicle accidents, could soon be used to help reduce the risks of pedestrian accidents in Boston and elsewhere in the United States, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). The crash prevention technology will have the potential to prevent cars from hitting pedestrians. Now, your car will be able to spot a pedestrian in its path and automatically brake if the driver fails to do so.

Our Boston personal injury lawyers note that researches have found the most common pedestrian-vehicle accidents occur when a person is crossing a road and a vehicle is traveling straight. The most surprising aspect of these crashes is that, in most cases, there is no braking reported. These crashes occur mostly during the day, but the most fatal ones occur during the nighttime hours.

Massachusetts alone endured nearly 50 of these pedestrian fatalities in 2009.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association reports that there were more than 4,000 pedestrian fatalities resulting from traffic accidents in 2009. While this number is a 7 percent decrease from the year before, it is important that everyone do their part to avoid a pedestrian accident this summer.

In 2011, the forward collision warning system was offered on 19 new vehicle makes. Other crash avoidance technologies currently offered in new vehicle are the lane departure warning system, adaptive headlights and side view assist. The IIHS estimates that more than 1 million accidents, including nearly 800 fatal accidents, could be prevented or mitigated if every vehicle was equipped with this new forward collision warning technology. The Institute is reporting that pedestrian detection systems could help to prevent another 39,000 accidents — and nearly 3,300 fatalities.

“The most difficult part is actually to make sure that the car does not brake when it’s not supposed to,” says Thomas Broberg, senior technical adviser for safety at Volvo.
“You would never accept a car that brakes every time you pass a mailbox.” The technology is still in developmental phases.
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The Boston Globe is reporting that Massachusetts employers workers’ compensation insurance rates will remain unchanged through at least next year, saving big business money even as industry continues to complain about the cost of protecting workers..
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Our Massachusetts workers compensation attorneys want you to know that big business should not be arguing that protecting and caring for injured workers is adding to their bottom line. Many employers will vigorously fight a claim to keep those costs down, which is why getting an experienced workers’ compensation attorney is crucial after a Boston work accident.

Insurers were seeking a 6.6 percent increase. Massachusetts big businesses are thrilled with the rate freeze which will save them roughly $65 million a year.

“Our goal at the Division of Insurance is to make sure that these rates are fair, they protect workers, and that they do not overly burden employers,” Insurance Commissioner Joseph Murphy said in a statement. “This agreement does all of those things.”

We certainly agree that saving big business $65 million will not “overly burden” them. Last year, big businesses weren’t “overly burdened” when rates were cut by 2.4 percent.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 4,340 people were killed on-the-job in 2009. Approximately 3.6 per 100 workers have a reported serious workplace illness or injury. Workers’ compensation insurance provides for these sick and injured workers.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 59 Massachusetts workers died due to on-the-job accidents in 2009. Of those, 20 were killed from traffic accidents, 12 died from coming into contact with a dropped object or being hit by equipment, 11 died due to a fall, 9 workers were killed by a violent act or assault while at work and 7 perished after an exposure to a harmful substance.

If you are considering filing a Workers’ Compensation claim in Massachusetts, consult an experienced attorney who will fight for the benefits you deserve.
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Thursday, April 28th is Workers Memorial Day, a day established to recognize workers who were injured or who died on the job. Our Massachusetts workers’ compensation lawyers understand the risks: every day an average of 1.2 workers died at their jobs each week in 2009.
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Employers have a responsibility to maintain a safe work environment and comply with certain federal regulations in order to keep employees out of danger and free from Massachusetts work illnesses and injuries suffered on the job.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately 16 workers die each day from injuries sustained at work in the United States. Over 11,000 private-sector workers suffer a nonfatal work-related illness or injury each day, which causes more than half of them to either be transferred to another job, or requires them to be on restricted duty or a leave of absence from the job they currently hold. It is estimated that 200 of the 9,000 workers treated in emergency rooms each day are admitted because of a severe injury or illness suffered at work.

Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health reports that 62 people were killed on the job in 2009. Another estimated 520 Massachusetts employees died in 2009 from occupational disease. The construction industry remains at the top in lives lost on the job. Firefighters and fisherman also had a high number of deaths on the job in 2009. The leading causes of fatal injuries on the job are transportation-related, falls, commercial fishing, workplace violence, and incidents involving the employee being crushed by something at work.

Families who lost a loved one at work in 2010 are encouraged to attend the Workers Memorial Day event hosted by the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health and the Greater Boston Labor Council. The event will be held at the State House Stairs on Beacon Street on Thursday, April 28th, 2011 from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. A reading of lost workers’ names will kick off the event followed by featured speakers which include safety experts, state officials and family members of those who lost their life on the job in 2010.

Remembering your loved one is an important step but more importantly so is having a voice. Loved ones need to speak up to legislators about state safety and health-related issues in legislation. For more information about workplace fatalities, go to to view the full report called ‘Dying for Work in Massachusetts: The Loss of Life and Limb in Massachusetts’.
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Rigging dangers are every where at a shipyard. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hopes their recently published document illustrates tips to preventing future rigging accidents.

Our Boston personal injury lawyers know that working in a shipyard is one of the most hazardous work environments. Ensuring a safe workplace should be the primary goal of your employer to prevent Massachusetts work injuries.
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Rigging in a shipyard uses ropes and cables to secure huge ship parts or sections to lifting equipment in order to move them. Needless to say if the rigging isn’t done properly the load could come crashing down, killing someone instantly. A SHIPS (Safety and Health Injury Prevention Sheet) was created for rigging and designed to show the do’s and don’ts of rigging in order to reduce the number of death and injuries suffered on the job.

The SHIPS document begins with the common causes of serious or fatal shipyard hazards. Fall hazards are caused by unsafe work surfaces, unprotected openings and improperly used ladders. Struck-by and crushing hazards are caused by many situations including: an unsafe rigged load, being in the wrong position when the load is being moved, defective equipment, improperly used tag lines and the load operator placing the load above workers. Electrical hazards exist when equipment and tools are not grounded properly, electric cables become worn or frayed, electrical tools are defective and the hoisting or hauling equipment comes in contact with live electric lines.

The SHIPS document presents illustrations of different scenarios on how injuries occur and how to prevent them. In each scenario a real case history is reviewed and then analysis and preventive measures are discussed. The pictures make it clear even to a layperson what was done incorrectly and how it can be prevented in the future. SHIPS training documents are made to be user and reader friendly and come with mini-posters for quick referencing.

“Far too many workers in shipyard employment have suffered severe injuries or have died from preventable hazards,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “Employers who follow the guidance provided in this injury prevention sheet will create a safer, more healthful work environment for their workers.”

OSHA Maritime Industry Web page offers links to Maritime information including: standards and guidelines, compliance information, advisory committee viewpoints, outreach training program and safety and health topics.
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We all ride on escalators occasionally, some of us even ride every day, but does the thought ever cross your mind how safe you are while riding on them? A recent tragedy reported by the Boston Globe reminds us of the high risk of an escalator accident in Massachusetts, especially when we have small children riding with us.

Escalators are common in malls, train and subway stations, professional sport venues, and airports. The recent fatal accident at Auburn Mall involved a 4-year-old boy who fell off the moving escalator after he had grabbed the moving railing with two hands. The young boy sustained a severe head injury when he fell from the second floor onto a store display case. He died later at the hospital.
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State records have shown that officials in charge of inspecting escalators in Massachusetts shopping malls over the last three years are failing to do their job, the Globe reported. Inspection reports found that only 44 out of 188 escalators at major shopping malls throughout the state were inspected properly from 2008 to 2010. Escalators are to be inspected annually but many were missed at least once, and some missed two consecutive years during the three year period. The inspections that were completed often found that escalators need repaired for numerous problems — 22 of them were shut down because they were deemed unsafe.

There were 12 new inspectors hired in 2010 but even with the addition, state officials claim they don’t have enough manpower to keep up with the 900 escalators and 34,000 elevators that need inspected annually in Massachusetts. In order to avoid backlog, the 51 inspectors would need to conduct 700 inspections a year. The state has an obligation to make safety a top priority because losing lives as a result of failing to get the job done is unacceptable.

The following are safety tips for using an elevator offered by Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority:

-Hang on to small children when riding on the escalator.

-Always use an elevator for strollers, wheelchairs, pushchairs or buggies whenever possible.

-Step on and off the escalator carefully.

-Stand to the right side of the escalator and hold on to the top part of the handrail. Never grab on to the moving part.

-Make sure your shoelaces are tied and not dragging. Never stand at the edge of the stair.

-Stand facing forward at all times.
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