Houston work injury lawyer’
Common Repetitive Stress Injuries-Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
Repetitive stress injuries are caused when one particular part of the body or a specific group of muscles is placed under excessive stress and strain. When a worker uses this part of the body over and over again, he's likely to suffer symptoms that range from swelling and inflammation, to chronic pain and stiffness.
One of the common repetitive stress injuries that I come across as a Cloverleaf work injury lawyer is carpal tunnel syndrome, which results from the repetitive use of the wrist muscles. These can be some of the most debilitating hand injuries.
Workers who use hand...
Houston Company Likely to Face More Than $1 Million in Fines after OSHA Investigation
Saturday, December 31st, 2011
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is likely to propose penalties of more than $1 million against a Houston-based company. The agency found numerous safety violations at the facility operated by Piping Technology.
Overall, the piping products manufacturer received a total of 30 citations for failing to protect employees in the path of dangerous machinery. According to the investigations, the company directly exposed workers who operated dangerous machinery like band saws to amputation hazards. Further, the company misled agency investigators about the use of the equipment.
The charges that Piping Technology faces are very serious. The Occupational Safety and...
Owner of Upper Big Branch Mine to Pay $209 Million in Penalties
Sunday, December 11th, 2011
The owner of the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia, which was the scene of a deadly mine explosion last year, has agreed to pay more than $200 million in penalties, and to make changes to prevent accidents in the future.
Alpha Natural Resources, which bought out Massey Energy, the parent company of the mine, has agreed to pay $209 million in penalties. The fine is more than 40 times the size of any fine paid out in a coal mine explosion or disaster. The Upper Big Branch mine explosion in April 2010 was the worst mining accident in...
Industry Groups Oppose Restrictions on Worker Exposure to Carcinogens.
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is considering restricting worker exposure to crystalline silica, a known carcinogen that workers in general industry and maritime industries are frequently exposed to. However, industry groups are opposing the agency's efforts.
Over the past decade, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been trying to restrict worker exposure to the carcinogen. Crystalline silica is a common element in the earth, and workers in the construction industry, the maritime industry and general industry may be exposed to the carcinogen. This carcinogen in its respirable form is associated with silicosis, lung cancer, respiratory diseases as well...
Texas Company Cited for Violations after Worker’s Electrocution Death
Sunday, November 20th, 2011
In June, an oil rig worker performing repair work on a rig near Ozona, Texas was killed in an electrocution accident. The company that operated the rig, Ringo Drilling has now been cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for several violations.
The agency has cited the company for several serious violations, including failure to provide training in avoiding electrical hazards, failure to protect workers from falls by failing to provide with guard rails, and failure to train them about the proper use of stepladders. The company has been cited for four serious violations.
The agency has also cited the...
Texas Drilling Company Cited after Fatal Lamesa Accident
Thursday, November 10th, 2011
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a drilling company in an accident that caused the deaths of two workers at the site. The incident occurred on June 11 at the Robinson Drilling facility.
Five employees were working on drilling operations at Truitt Woods Field, Well No. 1, Rig No. 3 near Lamesa, when a piece of equipment came apart and hit the two employees. They sustained fatal injuries.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration began its investigation into the accident, and has cited the company for several repeat and serious violations. These violations include failure to prevent such struck-by...
After Fatal Kansas Accident, Focus on Safety at Grain Handling Facilities
Thursday, November 10th, 2011
An explosion at a Kansas grain elevator that killed six workers last month has brought into sharp focus the safety measures at grain handling facilities in Texas and nationwide. The explosion occurred at the Bartlett Grain Co. located about 50 miles northwest of Kansas City.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun an investigation into the Kansas grain elevator explosion. The investigation is expected to take six months to complete, and we will then have answers as to what exactly went wrong here. However, according to the Associated Press, the agency had not inspected the elevator since...
Texas Companies Cited for Failure to Protect Against Noise, Fall Hazards
Saturday, October 8th, 2011
The Occupational Safety Health Administration has cited two Texas-based companies for a number of violations, including those related to noise hazards, hazardous dust exposure, and fall protection. The two companies are PJ Trailers Manufacturing Co. Inc. and Delco Trailers Company Inc.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, inspectors found a number of violations, including fall and noise hazards during inspections. The agency has proposed penalties of up to $949,800. The violations that the agency found include a failure to provide fall protection for employees working on trailers, failure to provide machine guarding, and eye protection during...
San Antonio Company Cited for Construction Safety Hazards
Wednesday, August 24th, 2011
As part of its continued efforts to prevent workplace injuries and fatalities in Texas, the Occupational Safety and Administration has conducted inspections of a company in San Antonio, and has issued several citations.
The citations came after an inspection of a Roma Construction worksite in Wild Basin, San Antonio. Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors found several workplace hazards. For instance, they found that workers had been exposed to serious scaffolding dangers. Under Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines, workers who are involved in erecting, dismantling, or moving of scaffolding are required to do so only after being trained...
Man Killed in Galveston Oil Rig Accident
Saturday, August 20th, 2011
A man from College Station was killed in an accident on an oil-rig last week. The man had apparently been dismantling the rig, when he was suddenly struck by heavy equipment.
According to news reports, the victim had been standing next to a forklift that was hauling a load of pipe. Suddenly, the pipe shifted, and fell on the victim. The victim was airlifted to the USA Texas Medical Branch, but was declared dead.
Workplace accidents involving pedestrian workers occur frequently in any kind of setting. There are several risks to pedestrian workers when equipment like forklifts and trucks are operating...
