Forecasters Predict Increased Hurricane Activity Raising Concern for Worker Saftey

On the heels of last year's Superstorm, Hurricane Sandy, some of the nation's top storm forecasters are now predicting yet another year of above average storms. The dire prediction raises concerns over the prospects on ensuring worker safety, and whether the workers' compensation system is capable of delivering benefits in an efficient and effective manner during recurrent natural disasters.


"We anticipate that the 2013 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have enhanced

activity compared with the 1981-2010 climatology. The tropical Atlantic has anomalously warmed over the past several months, and it appears that the chances of an El Niño event this summer and fall are unlikely. We anticipate an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the United States coastline and in the Caribbean. Coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them, and they need to prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much or how little activity is predicted."

Read the complete report: "EXTENDED RANGE FORECAST OF ATLANTIC SEASONAL HURRICANE ACTIVITY AND LANDFALL STRIKE PROBABILITY FOR 2013"

Insurance Companies Join Coalition to Mitigate Natural Disaster Risks

Union Beach, N.J., 

Photo by Patsy Lynch/FEMA

As weather patterns have changed, and 100 year storms seem to be occurring across the nation every year, insurance companies are joining others in a coalition of other voices to speak out on mitigating damages and presenting harm to workers.

The dangers to first responders and rescue workers have become enormous. NJ Governor Chris Christie spoke out on Saturday Night Live about the unnecessary increased risk, when even city mayors of costal communities defy evacuation orders, and unnecessarily put  workers in harms way. He called those who defy evacuation orders “idiots.”

Name-calling doesn’t solve problems, but reasonable action does. SmartSafer.org was established to support and advocate for smarter, more effective policies to help people in need, promote disaster safety and preparedness, and foster sounder environmental stewardship of our fragile coastal ecosytems.

"We simply can't go on subsidizing enormous numbers of people to live in areas that are prone to huge natural disasters." Eli Lehrer a member of SmarterSafer.org, a Washington-based coalition, on subsidies for rebuilding coastal communities.

Read the complete article in the NY Times: As Coasts Rebuild and U.S. Pays, Repeatedly, the Critics Ask Why
....
Jon L.Gelman of Wayne NJ is the author NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thompson) and co-author of the national treatise, Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thompson).

Read more about Hurricane Sandy

NJ Provides Workers' Compensation For Hurricane Recovery
Nov 12, 2012
As Hurricane Sandy recovery workers descend on NJ by land, sea and airlift, by the thousands, energized and fueled by caffeine, to work long and tiring hours, to do treacherous and hazardous tasks, they need to understand ...
http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

OSHA urges hurricane recovery workers to protect themselves
Nov 05, 2012
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is urging workers and members of the public engaged in Hurricane Sandy cleanup and recovery efforts in New York, New Jersey and the New ...
http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Workers' Compensation: Hurricane Sandy Relief: US Resources
Nov 06, 2012
Safety is a primary issue when you're recovering from a disaster. Follow these tips to help ensure your safety and cope with the disaster. If you aren't able to return home, states, tribes, localities, and the Red Cross continue to ...
http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Deadly Asbestos Exposure Threat Left by Hurricane Sandy
Nov 04, 2012
The path of destruction to buildings caused by hurricane Sandy has created a potential threat of deadly asbestos exposure. Many structures destroyed and damaged by the storm contained asbestos fiber and those were ...
http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

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