North Carolina motorists who are concerned about their safety on the roadway may be interested to learn that trucking companies may soon be screening more drivers for sleep apnea. Based on the U.S. Supreme Court's April decision not to hear a case on the matter, courts do not appear to be willing to grant truckers protection for obesity under the American with Disabilities Act. As a result, some companies may now require testing with less fear of being named in a potential lawsuit.
Child fatalities in motor vehicle accidents
North Carolina parents who are concerned about the safety of their children on the road may be interested in the results of a recent study on motor vehicle accidents involving child fatalities. According to a joint study conducted by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Harvard University, auto accident fatalities in children under the age of 15 tend to occur more in the South. Crashes on rural roads as well as unused or improperly used restraints are common factors in the deaths.
Occupational safety signs best practices and standards
Hazard signs are an important part of workplace safety. They warn employees of potential dangers and remind them to use safety equipment in the area. However, many North Carolina work sites may be using safety signs that are not approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration because they are out of date.
How to safely share the road with truckers
Truckers have the difficult job of navigating roads and freeways in a vehicle much larger than the average car. While they have their own safety standards and requirements, it is also important that other drivers share the responsibility of keeping the road safe.
Lawsuit leads to massive recall of Dodge trucks
North Carolina motorists who own certain Dodge Ram models should watch out for recall notices. The manufacturer, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, has initiated a recall of over 1.25 million pickup trucks because of a software error that could disable side air bags or interfere with seat belt functions.
Best practices for working near power lines
When there is a serious accident or injury in a North Carolina workplace, a federal agency might step in to ensure the work site is safe. A "close call alert" was issued by the Mine Safety and Health Administration when a tractor-trailer made contact with a ground wire overhead. According to the alert, the accident occurred because the truck failed to maintain recommended clearance.
More robots in the workplace could mean more accidents
The use of robots in the workplace is on the rise, but this also means that employees in North Carolina and throughout the country are more vulnerable to injuries caused by them. Restaurant kitchens, food processing plants and hospitals are among the environments where robots may be found. The automotive industry also uses a large number of robots, some of them custom built. One Wisconsin production plan that builds robotic systems also has more than 50 robots on the floor.
David Bridgman joins O'Malley Tunstall
David Bridgman joins O'Malley Tunstall
Tunstall selected to the 2017 list as Nation's Top One Percent
Tunstall selected to the 2017 list as Nation's Top One Percent
What should you do immediately after a car accident?
Car accidents range in severity from minor fender benders or parking lot accidents to tragic collisions that cause serious injury or even death. Oftentimes, having an accurate record of what happened when the accident occurred can protect you if you suffered injury at the hands of another.
How to keep remote workers safe
Some North Carolina employees work in remote areas with minimal or no supervision. While many crane operators or electricians may be highly trained and skilled at their craft, it is generally a good idea for employers to have a safety plan. For most workers, this may involve checking in with supervisors or others to talk about potential hazards or otherwise confirm that all is well on the remote job site.
Preventing lead exposure at work
Some North Carolina workers may still be facing lead exposure in the workplace despite increased awareness about its dangers. The California Department of Public Health found that between 2012 and 2014, by the definition of the Centesr for Disease Control and Prevention, over 6,000 workers in that state had elevated blood levels of lead. This suggests that workers throughout the country might show similar levels of exposure. The Occupational Safety and Health Association has estimated that more than 800,000 workers in general industry and a further 838,000 construction workers may face lead exposure. Jobs that leave workers particularly vulnerable to lead exposure include building renovation, metal production, plumbing, radiator repair, demolition, bridge work and battery manufacturing.
