Fire departments across the nation respond to about 13 calls from business and industry every hour, according to the National Fire Protection Association, in addition to the average of 43 calls from residential properties that come in hourly.

When it comes to workplace fire hazards in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, Occupational Health and Safety Online the following factors:

1. Clutter: Dust, shavings and waste in work areas.
2. Improper Fire Extinguishers: Fire extinguishers are not designed for all types of fires.
3. Electrical Issues: Extension cords, daisy-chained connections, overloaded outlets and blocked electrical panels.
4. Inadequate Sprinkler Clearance: Items stored too close to sprinkler heads spray and the system’s ability to douse an area.
5. Improperly Stored Chemicals: Hazardous substances that are not properly stowed, handled and utilized.
6. Open Waste Containers: Lids not on containers that prevent the unintentional mixing of waste and dangerous vapor emissions.
7. Improperly Rated Appliances and Tools: Household appliances, not industrial-rated tools, used for workplace tasks.
8. Defective Detectors: Smoke alarms, carbon dioxide detectors and hazardous gas sensors not tested and, when necessary, calibrated. Emergency exit lighting, alarms and signs should be checked periodically.
9. Blocked Aisles: Emergency exit paths not always kept clear.
10. Unmanaged Hot Work: Safety procedures for welding, cutting, brazing and other hot work not followed.

Fire Dangers Far Too Common

Burn injuries occur under countless work-related circumstances, ranging from construction sites and restaurant kitchens to building fires and radiation exposure. Less obvious are fire injuries caused by exposure to toxic spills, hazardous chemicals, gas leaks and dangerous dusts. These pose a risk for workers at hardware stores, home supply stores, factories, gas stations, hospitals, pharmacies, and even schools, government buildings and in public transit jobs.

Symptoms include:

• Dizziness, headaches, fatigue
• Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
• Chemical burns in the lungs and on skin
• Difficulty swallowing
• Itchy, burning eyes
• Racing heart or palpitations
• Fever

Don’t Get Burned by Your Employer, Too

Burn injuries can be painful, debilitating and disfiguring, requiring extensive treatment or preventing the victim from ever returning to work. While victims are eligible for worker’s compensation benefits, the claims process is complex. A company attorney may try to blame the injury on you or downplay its significance. An insurance company may pressure you into accepting a financial settlement that comes nowhere close to meeting your needs because they know you are desperate. Furthermore, proving you’ve been injured by hazardous fumes or chemicals can be particularly difficult without the help of experts.

The workers’ compensation attorneys at the Law Offices of Deborah G. Kohl have been handling cases just like yours in Rhode Island and Massachusetts for 35 years. Their legal team will assist you in every step of the process, from filing your claim to negotiating with insurance companies. They have offices in Providence, Rhode Island, and Fall River and Foxboro, Massachusetts. Contact them today for a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation.

Manufacturing usually involves highly repetitive job functions. According to EHS Today, many injuries among manufacturing workers are attributed to ergonomics, heavy lifting, and repetitive tasks. Postures plays a major role in the health and longevity of workers.

Poor posture can lead to painful musculoskeletal conditions and accident-related injuries. Over time, it can damage the joints, muscles, and ligaments. On the positive end, good posture can boost productivity.

Proper posture isn’t something that comes naturally to most people. It takes daily practice and mindfulness. When in a crunch of job-related stress, it’s very easy to forget to hold yourself upright.

In order to prevent an injury from occurring, it’s important to follow these suggestions provided by EHS Today.

When sitting:

In manufacturing, it’s common for some workers to primarily be seated at a station. While you’re unlikely to sustain an injury from sitting, developing musculoskeletal disorder is probable when taking posture and ergonomics into account.

When sitting, you can maintain proper posture by:

• Positioning your buttocks all the way to the back of the chair.
• Keeping your back straight and shoulders back.
• Keeping your weight evenly distributed in the chair.
• Keeping your knees as close to a right angle as possible.
• Keeping your feet flat on the floor.

When lifting:

Proper posture is crucial when it comes to lifting, especially when lifting is repetitive. If an object is too heavy for you to lift, it’s not worth putting the strain on yourself and risking an injury. Always seek help from other workers.

When lifting, it’s important to:

• Ensure that you have a firm grasp on an item before lifting it.
• Ensure you have good footing and a wide stance when lifting heavy objects.
• Bend with your knees and hips but lift with your legs. Avoid bending with your hips to reach down and pick up an object
• Avoid reaching to lift items from tables, counters, or shelves. Always pull the item to the edge and lift it close to your body.

When driving:

Some manufacturing employees drive trucks or forklifts to transport objects. As with sitting at a work station, it’s important to follow these suggestions to maintain proper posture:

• Avoid extending your arms to reach the steering wheel. Adjust your seat if you need to.
• Ensure that your knees are bent, and your feet can comfortably reach the pedal.
• Make sure your seat height is adjusted so your knees are at the same level as your hips.
• Keep your back straight and rested against the back of your seat.
• If need be, use a lumbar roll to support your back’s natural curve.

Injured on the job? Talk to an attorney today.

Maintaining good posture on the job can significantly reduce the likelihood of being injured. Whether your injury was posture-related or caused by another factor, you may be eligible to collect workers’ compensation benefits.

Before filing your claim, it’s critical that you consult with an experienced Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorney. To learn more, contact the Law Offices of Deborah G. Kohl today.