Workplaces are all too often a place where injuries occur, and harm suffered at work sites can be severe and debilitating. In some cases, it may be fatal. Along with locations like construction sites and manufacturing plants, even places like hospitals and stores can...
History shows that the prevailing views of safety-conscious behavior can be radically wrong. For example, half a century ago Ralph Nader published his provocative expose of design dangers in American automobiles. It was called "Unsafe at any Speed" - and helped point...
Minnesota construction workers who operate cranes must exercise great care not to cause damage to the crane itself or to surrounding property. While there are no uniform state or federal guidelines related to training crane operators, the equipment goes through...
To reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, Minnesota employers are encouraged to provide ergonomics training to their employees. Examples of MSDs include back strains and carpal tunnel syndrome, and these injuries can result in lost productivity, increased...
Minnesota employees who file workers' compensation claims after sustaining injuries on the job may find that their employers or its insurers may subject them to surveillance. In some cases, this may occur in the form of looking at an individual's social media...
As more data and cellular towers are being erected in Minnesota and around the U.S., the need to address safety issues for those who work on them is increasing. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Federal Communications Commission are seeking to...
Manufacturing is a big part of Minnesota's economy. It employs over 300,000 workers, in jobs that generally pay pretty well compared to other industries. About half of these jobs are in the Twin Cities and about half in Greater Minnesota. Overall, manufacturing...
Exposure to crystalline silica is a major health hazard for many workers in Minnesota. Breathing crystalline silica into the lungs can cause workers to suffer from a disease called silicosis. Crystalline silica exposure can also lead to lung cancer, kidney disease and...
Minnesota business owners may have heard about the non-profit organization, the Electrical Safety Foundation International, which promotes electrical safety solutions in the workplace, home and community. Since many workplace accidents are related to electricity,...
The annual total of fatal work injuries in the United States went up slightly in 2014, according to the 2014 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. There were 4,821 fatal work injuries in 2014, a figure that includes several Minnesota fatalities and which equates to...