Bialke LawBialke Law2026-04-22T17:33:33Zhttps://www.bialkelaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1104691/2026/01/cropped-favicon-bialke512-1-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Law Office of David M. Bialke<![CDATA[3 back injuries lumpers often sustain at work]]>https://www.bialkelaw.com/?p=585492021-04-01T00:29:34Z2021-04-01T00:29:26Zserious back injuries than workers in other industries. Here are three back injuries lumpers often suffer at work.
1. Herniated disks
The vertebrae in your spinal column protect your spinal cord from injury and provide support for your upper body. Between your vertebrae, you have soft disks that cushion bones and facilitate movement. If these disks bulge, swell or move out of place, you may be in excruciating pain. The normal twisting and bending you do as a lumper may increase your chances of developing herniated disks.
2. Fractured vertebrae
When performing your job duties, you likely work near forklifts, trucks, pallets, ladders and other potential hazards. If you have an accident involving one of these, you may fracture a bone in your back. A fractured vertebra is a medical emergency, as a broken bone may nick or sever your spinal cord. Unfortunately, spinal cord damage may lead to paralysis and other complications.
3. Sprains and strains
The muscles and connective tissues in your back may stretch or tear when you are loading and unloading trucks. Muscular and ligament sprains and strains can cause both acute and chronic pain. In extreme cases, soft tissue injuries may require surgery or other invasive procedures.
With serious back injuries, it is often critical to receive early diagnosis and treatment. While doing so can be expensive, you may qualify for workers' compensation benefits to help you pay medical bills and support your family during your recovery.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of David M. Bialke<![CDATA[Stay safe when you work in manufacturing]]>https://www.bialkelaw.com/?p=583212021-01-08T04:45:43Z2021-01-08T04:45:43Z hazards for manufacturing employees to protect yourself on the job.
Sprains, strains and tears
This category represented 28% of the injuries reported in BLS data, making it by far the most common type of injury for manufacturing employees. Practice ergonomic lifting techniques to shield your muscles from stress. For example, lift heavy objects with your knees rather than your back, and ask for help when you need it.
In addition to acute injuries, you may develop repetitive stress associated with factory work. Chronic pain occurs when you make the same motions over and over, putting undue wear and tear on the body.
Falls
This category includes slip-and-fall injuries at work as well as injuries that occur because of a fall from a high place. Both types of falls can result in traumatic brain injury, broken bones and other disabling injuries.
Take care when using ladders, catwalks and platforms. Always wear a hard hat and fall protection gear when you climb off the ground. Reduce the risk for slipping by keeping the work floor clear and reporting hazards right away.
If you do get hurt at work, you can apply for benefits through your employer's workers' compensation policy. In Minnesota, this program covers lost wages, medical expenses and vocational training for eligible injured employees.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of David M. Bialke<![CDATA[How Common Are Back Injuries For Nurses?]]>https://www.bialkelaw.com/?p=583182020-12-18T17:49:12Z2020-12-18T17:49:12ZBack Injury Statistics
Back injuries and back pain affect approximately 38 percent of nurses in the United States. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics ranked healthcare at the top of processions with the highest risk of back injury, according to the American Journal of Critical Care. Nurses are six times more likely to suffer a back injury and have an increased risk of back pain due to their occupation. Studies show that rates of back injuries in nurses is more than double that of construction workers.
Why Do These Injuries Occur?
While back pain and back injuries might not immediately come to mind when you think of nursing and nursing-related injuries, it’s not hard to see why these injures are more prevalent in this industry.
Nurses are often required to lift and transport patients, which can cause both a direct injury and/or a cumulative injury that builds up with repetitive motion over time. Moving patients from beds to wheelchairs or from hospital chairs to commodes can cause these types of injuries, while workload, posture and work organizational factors can worsen them.
Using proper techniques as well as lifting tools like walking belts and mechanical hoists to aid patient lifting and transferring could help decrease the risk of back pain and injury for nurses.
These types of injuries have a large impact on the nursing workforce both in safety and efficiency. A back injury can sideline an employee for long periods of time and can be expensive to recover from. Educating nurses about proper lifting techniques and properly equipping them may help decrease these risks so they may avoid a debilitating injury.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of David M. Bialke<![CDATA[Preventing slips, trips and-falls in the workplace]]>https://www.bialkelaw.com/?p=583142020-09-11T21:01:37Z2020-09-11T21:01:37Z
Friction refers to the resistance between objects.
Momentum is affected by the speed and mass of an object.
Gravity refers to the force exerted on an object by the Earth.
OSHA encourages workers to stay safe and supervisors to provide the necessary training, guidance and protective equipment for the workplace. These three physical factors can combine to cause severe injuries in even same-level falls.
Slips are a loss of balance caused by too little friction between the feet and the surface being crossed. The loss of traction can be the result of wet surfaces, spills or environmental hazards such as rain, ice or snow.
Trips occur when a worker steps on a surface with enough momentum to be thrown off balance.
Falls are the end result of a worker moving too far off his or her center of balance. Falls can be a slip-and-fall accident on a wet surface or a fall down a flight of stairs due to torn carpeting. According to OSHA, falls account for more workplace fatalities than any other reason.
It is a supervisor’s responsibility to maintain a safe, efficient work environment. Without proper signage, safety precautions, training and safety equipment, workers can suffer a broad range of injuries including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, paralysis, multiple fractures and torn ligaments. If you were injured in a workplace accident, it is important that you discuss the benefits and monetary compensation you might be entitled to.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of David M. Bialke<![CDATA[Protecting yourself from a deadly trench collapse]]>https://www.bialkelaw.com/?p=582882021-05-06T14:34:13Z2020-06-16T18:24:30ZWhat can workers do to protect themselves?
Unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock, trenches that are five feet deep or greater require a protective system to ensure safety and stability. Based on factors unique to the excavation, protective systems can include:
Sloping: Cutting the trench wall back at an angle inclined away from the excavation.
Shoring: Installing a support (hydraulic or otherwise) designed to prevent soil movement.
Shielding: Using a “trench box” that lines the walls of the excavation to protect workers from cave-ins or collapse.
The design and implementation of an effective protective system can rely on numerous factors such as the soil classification, depth, weather and the water content of the soil.
Additionally, OSHA requires that all excavations must have egress options within 25 feet of all workers at all times. These access points can include steps, ladders, ramps or other safe, approved means of entry and exit. If you were injured on the job, don’t hesitate to discuss your situation with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of David M. Bialke<![CDATA[The unique dangers of the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry]]>https://www.bialkelaw.com/?p=581192025-05-05T05:49:14Z2020-04-03T20:02:32Zmost workplace fatalities in 2018. It also had the second-highest injury and illness rate of all industries in the state.
Specific injury and illness risks
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) operates research programs at the federal level. These programs are meant to advance our understanding of certain types of dangers workers face, with the goal of ultimately reducing these risks.
For the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry sector, this NIOSH program includes five areas of focus:
Cancer, reproductive, cardiovascular, and other chronic disease prevention: Pesticide exposure and neurologic disorders, as well as kidney diseases
Immune, infectious, and dermal disease prevention: Skin and body exposure to pesticides and infectious disease transmission
Musculoskeletal health: Repetitive motion issues and vibration exposure
Respiratory health: Fixed airways diseases, such as COPD
Traumatic injury prevention: The risk of suffering a traumatic injury among high-risk populations
Specific examples of risks
The NIOSH research program includes data used to pinpoint the specific dangers these workers face.
For example, studies show farm machinery causes about half of all hospitalizations among agriculture workers. These machines are also a leading cause of deaths among farm workers. Those in the logging industry that maintain and repair machines face a similarly high level of injuries.
Similarly, the risk of repetitive motion injuries, sprains, strains and tears, and even fractures is higher for those doing the type of physical labor often required for these jobs.
This is an industry that can take an immense physical toll on its workers. Not only do the numbers prove it, those in these fields can likely attest to that fact as well.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of David M. Bialke<![CDATA[Delivery drivers are prone to these 3 injuries]]>https://www.bialkelaw.com/?p=581152025-05-05T05:48:14Z2020-03-10T17:16:29ZThe modern economy depends on dedicated delivery drivers. If both large and small retailers did not have competent delivery professionals in their supply chains, two-day shipping would not be possible. As such, it is no surprise there were nearly 1.5 million delivery drivers in the United States in 2018. Another roughly 30,000 drivers will join the workforce in the next decade.If you deliver packages for a living, you know how challenging your profession can be. After all, you must meet tight deadlines, perform customer service and keep clean paperwork. You may not realize, though, that you are vulnerable to certain types of injuries that may not affect other workers. Here are three of them:1.Chronic back painDelivery drivers spend a significant amount of time sitting behind the wheel of trucks, vans or other vehicles. When they are on their feet, though, drivers often lift, bend and twist. These motions can lead to chronic back pain. Regrettably, because it can be difficult to treat back pain successfully, some drivers must live with constant soreness.2. Carpel tunnel syndromeConstantly grabbing and moving objects can cause pain, tingling, numbness and loss of motion in the wrists. These symptoms are common in individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome. Because delivery drivers regularly move items, they often need to rely on medical devices to minimize their chances of developing a repetitive stress injury to their hands, wrists or fingers.3. Shoulder injuriesWhen stacking boxes and unloading trucks, delivery drivers are susceptible to shoulder injuries. These injuries may be either chronic or acute. In serious instances, such as when a driver tears his or her rotator cuff, surgical intervention is often necessary.Even though working as a delivery driver is a good way to support yourself and your family members, it is not without its risks. Eventually, you may sustain a serious job-related injury. By understanding the sort of health hazards delivery drivers regularly face, though, you can better plan for staying safe on your route.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of David M. Bialke<![CDATA[Common construction hazards and appropriate safety precautions]]>https://www.bialkelaw.com/?p=581082019-12-17T00:50:29Z2019-12-17T00:50:27ZBetween the dangerous chemicals, machinery and other hazards present on a construction site, workers in this profession face exposure to safety risks more frequently than in most other occupations. The 937 work-related deaths specific to the industry in 2015 in the United States starkly illustrates the potential for lethal injury on a construction site and the need for constant vigilance.Occupational safety professionals seek to eliminate the chance of injury from the environment by utilizing safer tools, machinery and chemicals, as well as removing the presence of construction hazards when possible. Precautionary measures by employers and workers alike can also help to prevent injuries.1. Forklift SafetyDespite the potential danger that forklifts pose, they are also effective pieces of machinery. Therefore, occupational safety professionals cannot replace them. However, with stringent regulation, they can minimize the risk of accidents. These regulations include requiring seat belts, avoiding braking or speeding in slippery areas and allowing operation only by certified professionals.2. Trenching SafetyTrenching involves excavating earth to create a narrow passage. Depth varies based on the purpose. The sides of the trench may become unstable and collapse, a dangerous situation for any worker in the trench at the time.Measures to prevent trenching accidents include avoiding cutting the walls of the trench at too steep an angle and ensuring that workers steer clear of an unprotected trench. Exits must be stable and clearly marked.3. ScaffoldingIn addition to fall risks, scaffolds also pose a risk of electrocution because they consist of materials that conduct electricity. It is, therefore, necessary to erect them at least 10 feet away from any power lines.Workers should take care to transport construction materials upward with caution and maintain weight limits at all times. To ensure stability and safety, scaffolding should undergo frequent inspection.Unlike most workplaces, there can never be the complete elimination of safety risks on construction sites. However, workers, employers and safety professionals can cooperate to minimize them.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of David M. Bialke<![CDATA[Minnesota nurses face unique hazards on the job]]>https://www.bialkelaw.com/?p=580632019-10-25T04:38:04Z2019-10-25T04:38:02ZFrom long, physically demanding hours to contact with biohazardous materials, registered nurses face challenges on the job daily that may endanger their own health. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs are at a greater-than-average risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. In 2016 alone, nurses experienced over 19,000 nonfatal injuries or illnesses that resulted in forced time away from work.In recent years, more and more nurses have come forward about physical and emotional abuse from violent patients with substance or mental health issues, as well. Here are some of the most common types of injuries that RNs encounter in the workplace.Musculoskeletal injuries from physical strainNurses often spend much of the day on their feet and need to perform a variety of physical tasks that involve bending, twisting and lifting—particularly when assisting in moving a patient. Unsurprisingly, nearly half of nursing injuries that require recovery time away from work are the result of overexertion that causes soft tissue or musculoskeletal damage. Mechanical assistive devices, such as transfer belts, slide sheets and lift slings, are essential tools to help prevent such injuries.Slips, trips and fallsWet floors, wandering cords and disorganized equipment are other leading causes of accidents, accounting for about a quarter of incidents. OSHA recommends strict guidelines for care facilities about clearly marking hazards, eliminating clutter and providing non-slip floor mats and sufficient lighting to prevent such safety risks.BiohazardsIn addition to used needles, hazardous chemicals and radiation, nurses come in frequent contact with infectious diseases such as MRSA, HIV, hepatitis B and tuberculosis. Personal protective attire and specialized gear are crucial to preventing infection and should fit snugly, yet comfortably.Patient violenceFor RNs, the incidence of violent events resulting in injury in 2016 was nearly three times the rate of any other occupation. Unfortunately, OSHA also reports that nurses often do not officially report such incidents.All too often, RNs accept these hazards as part of the job of providing a critical service. However, nurses must recognize the importance of their employer providing a reasonably safe environment for workers and their patients.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of David M. Bialke<![CDATA[Tips for reducing back pain at your retail job]]>https://www.bialkelaw.com/?p=577342019-06-15T06:14:32Z2019-06-15T06:14:31Zrecent study, standing for even five hours per day can increase your risk of developing long-term back problems.
Back pain can range from temporarily uncomfortable to chronically debilitating. Here are some ways you can reduce back pain at your retail job.
Take breaks as frequently as possible
If you are on your feet and walking around for hours at a time, it is necessary to give yourself some rest. It can be difficult to get enough rest sometimes, but take advantage of any breaks your manager gives you. Sit down and keep your back straight during your breaks. You can also start to incorporate some stretches into your lunches.
Get feet support
Being on your feet for long periods of time can ultimately strain your back. You may want to invest in cushioning footwear or an orthopedic insole. If you mostly stay in one spot during the day, you may benefit from having a soft rubber mat under you. Additionally, you can regularly prop one foot onto a footrest or box to reduce pressure.
Avoid strenuous movements
Simple motions such as twisting and reaching can take a toll on your back. This is especially true when it comes to lifting items. Be mindful of your position, posture and movements throughout the day. You may not even realize how tasks such as scanning items, pushing carts or mopping the floor can result in fatigue on your back.
Strengthen your core
Working out your core can help support your workplace activities. Incorporating a few core-strengthening exercises on your days off can make your job less strenuous on your back.]]>