Bettendorf Workers' Compensation Blog

Does your boss protect you from bloodborne pathogens?

On behalf of Tyler & Associates, PC on Thursday, January 23, 2020.

We all know that contact with blood and other bodily fluids is par for the course for health care workers and first responders. However, if clean-up or first aid duties form a part of your employment in Iowa, you face similar risks of infections through bloodborne pathogens. Does your employer have an exposure control plan in place to protect you?

If there is even the slightest risk of contact with bloodborne pathogens in your workplace, you should make sure not to miss safety meetings that deal with this hazard. Learning more about the potential danger is an essential precaution against infection by Hepatitis B and C viruses, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which are the three most common risks of infection.

How serious is your boss about construction site safety?

On behalf of Tyler & Associates, PC on Thursday, January 2, 2020.

Year after year, the construction industry is one of the most dangerous workplaces in Iowa and across the country. Under the safety standards mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, your safety is the responsibility of your employer. If the construction company owner does not prioritize the safety of you and your co-workers, your chance of ending up in a hospital with debilitating injuries are high.

How safe are you on a remote site?

Would you recognize the symptoms of cold stress?

On behalf of Tyler & Associates, PC on Friday, December 6, 2019.

Winters in Cedar Rapids and across Iowa are freezing, dry and windy. If your job has you working outdoors, your employer has a significant responsibility to keep you safe. It is crucial for you and your co-workers to know about the dangers of cold stress and how to recognize the symptoms.

Furthermore, safety training must include the steps to take if you are experiencing cold stress symptoms. It is always a good idea to have a buddy system in place whereby pairs of workers keep an eye on each other. One of the most significant risks of working alone in the cold is the fact that you could become disoriented and unable to get yourself to safety.

Does your employer take these steps to protect your safety?

On behalf of Tyler & Associates, PC on Thursday, November 7, 2019.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates that all employers, including those in Iowa, must establish safety plans to protect employees from work-related injuries and illnesses. Do you know your rights? Does your employer have your best interest at heart?

Your employer must perform frequent hazard assessments to identify dangers and then take steps to mitigate them. Other essential requirements include safety training and employee education. If these crucial elements are in place, you can be sure that your employer prioritizes employee safety over profits.

OSHA fines food manufacturers over $7 million. Here's why.

On behalf of Tyler & Associates, PC on Thursday, October 24, 2019.

For the 12 months of October 2018 through September 2019, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued fines totaling $7,171,513 for safety violations identified in food manufacturing facilities nationwide, including Iowa. Does that scare you? If you work in this industry, you are right to fear for your safety. OSHA says the industry strives to create safer work environments, but working in it remains a hazardous occupation.

If you knew which safety violations made the top 10 list of OSHA violations in food manufacturing, it might help you to look out for similar hazards in your workplace. Never losing sight of safety in your workplace and remaining alert might keep you out of the hospital and in the money.

Traumatic brain injuries can occur in any workplace

On behalf of Tyler & Associates, PC on Thursday, October 3, 2019.

Construction sites seem obvious places where traumatic brain injuries can happen, but you could be at risk even if you work in an office. Auto repair shops, industrial kitchens and just about every other workplace in Iowa pose hazards that could leave you with a TBI. Accidents happen in the blink of an eye, and being alert and avoiding distraction will go a long way in keeping you safe.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration puts the burden of your safety on the shoulders of your employer, but most of the workplace accidents that cause traumatic brain injuries are unanticipated. Being aware of potential hazards might be your best chance of avoiding a TBI.

Medical office workers entitled to safety and health protection

On behalf of Tyler & Associates, PC on Thursday, September 5, 2019.

Workers in medical and dental offices in Bettendorf and other cities in Iowa might not be aware of all the various safety and health risks they face. Many of the hazards that workers in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities face also threaten employees in medical offices. Employers have to ensure safe work environments.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration protects you and other medical office workers by providing safety standards and guidelines. By following those, your employer can protect you from the many security and safety hazards like chemicals, drugs, bloodborne pathogens and biohazard materials in your work environment.

Your safety is on the line if you work in an auto body shop

On behalf of Tyler & Associates, PC on Friday, August 2, 2019.

Most people in Iowa know the importance of workplace safety because occupational hazards exist in all industries. Auto body shops are examples of dangerous workplaces. If you earn your income in this industry, you will face multiple safety hazards

Although most employers prioritize employee safety, this is not always the case. If safety protocols are not up to standard in your workplace, it might be sensible to gain some knowledge of potential risks that you will deal with every day.

Do you know the risks of your job in the production industry?

On behalf of Tyler & Associates, PC on Thursday, July 25, 2019.

The production industry in Iowa encompasses everything from the plastics to battery manufacturing, and each production facility has unique safety hazards. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates that employers must inform employees of all the on-the-job dangers they will encounter. Unfortunately, many business owners do not comply. Whether it is equipment-related or weather-related hazards, you might need to look out for your own safety. Manufacturing and assembling products typically involves operating production equipment that poses multiple safety hazards. Then there is the inspection of finished items and moving them to the shipping department or other locations. It makes sense to attend all safety training sessions. Even if you have heard it all, one more reminder of the hazards might keep you vigilant and safe.

Typical hazards in manufacturing plants

Accidents are not the only hazards truckers face

On behalf of Tyler & Associates, PC on Friday, July 5, 2019.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says the trucking industry is responsible for more work-related fatalities than any other occupation nationwide, including Iowa. Although a significant number of deaths in this industry result from accidents, the nature of their jobs causes many occupational injuries to commercial truck drivers.

If you earn your living hauling cargo across the country, you face multiple risks of injuries that can cause lost workdays and jeopardize your financial stability. Fortunately, safety agencies like OSHA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics gather data to identify the most common hazards and also provide tips on how to stay safe.