Asbestos Exposure Occurs When Old Pipe Bursts

The nation's crumbling infrastructure continues to cause workers to be exposed to deadly abestos fiber. Today in Boston a steam pipe burst near Boston City Hall exposing the population to cancer causing asbestos fiber.

Asbestos continues to be a major health hazard since it remains in construction material exposuing workers to potential latent disease such as: asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. The US has yet to ban asbestos.

While hazmat workers rushed to the scene in an attempt to contain and repair the leak, the accident exemplies the need for workers to continue to be educated about safety proceedures in handling asbestos fiber.

The workers' compensation and civil justice system continues to be available for those who have been exposed and require medical surveillance. Exposed individuals need to take action within a prescribed time period after an exposure and should consult with an attorney at law for guidance inorder to protect their rights under the law.

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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). For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman  1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.

Read More About Asbestos

Workers' Compensation: Deadly Asbestos Exposure Threat Left by ...

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/

NJ Company Found Guilty of Dumping Asbestos into Wetlands in ...

Oct 18, 2012

Workers continue to be exposed to asbestos during removal and abatement projects. It is imperative that asbestos be removed in a safe and prescribed manner to avoid any unnecessary disease and illness. Merely "dumping" ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

OSHA Cites Employers for Exposing Workers to Asbestos

Sep 14, 2012

"Asbestos is an extremely hazardous material that can potentially cause lifelong, irreversible health conditions," said John Hermanson, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas. "It is imperative that OSHA's safety and health ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Asbestos Ban In Canada Gets Boast - Parti Quebecois Wins Election!

Sep 04, 2012

The Canadian Journal of Medicine had also endorsed a ban on Canadian asbestos production. "Canada's government must put an end to this death-dealing charade. Canada must immediately drop its opposition to placing .

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

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• $85 Million Verdict Against KBR for Negligently Exposing Soldiers to Toxins in Iraq
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• Canada Concedes Asbestos is Dangerous-Now It Needs to Ban Asbestos Entirely

Workers’ Compensation Is About Relationships

Today's post comes from guest author Ryan Benharris (MA) from Deborah G. Kohl Law Offices.

Prevention of accidents should be the first step in establishing a successful workers’ compensation system. If an employer were truly concerned about the health and safety of the employee there would be no need for workers’ compensation.

Unfortunately the profit motive of the employer sometimes corrupts the process, and shortcuts are taken at work to increase production at an anticipated lower cost to the employer.

Employers need to understand that the human and financial costs of industrial accidents and exposures can be devastating. Injured workers, through the workers’ compensation process, may seek the payment of medical benefits, lost time payments and permanent disability awards. 

Hopefully, the relationship between employees and employers can improve, and the workplace can become a safer environment.
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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). For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.

More About Workers' Compensation and Medical Benefits

National Analysis of Workers Compensation Medical Benefits

Jul 30, 2011

The just published, Issue 3 of the Workers' Compensation Resources Research Report (WCRRR) provides 23 years of information on cash benefits, medical benefits, and total (cash plus medical) benefits per 100,000 workers ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Workers' Compensation: Health Benefits, US Supreme Court and ...

Mar 21, 2012

The implementation of the Act will ultimately have far reaching consequences of the overall operation of both the delivery of workers' compensation medical benefits and the ultimate assessment/apportionment of permanent ...

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Workers' Compensation Medical Benefits are in Critical Condition

Nov 13, 2008

Now that Barach Obama is a going to be at the helm of the US, greater attention is being focused on the need for a national health care system incorporating workers' compensation medical coverage. With private insurance ...

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Pensions, Workers Compensation and Medical Benefits

Aug 29, 2011

The medical issue remains open usually and medical benefits remain the responsibility of the employer. The medical issue becomes a complication when costs are attempted to be shifted to collateral medical carriers or ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

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Hurricane Sandy Relief: US Resources

Get Help

• Register for Assistance: Survivors in declared counties in New York, New Jersey, andConnecticut can register for assistance. Learn more information and FAQs before you apply for assistance.
• Business Loans – Your business may be eligible for disaster assistance from the Small Business Administration.
• Government Contracting – The General Services Administration helps federal, state, and local governments get supplies, equipment, and services needed to support disaster relief.

Health and Safety

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 operate emergency shelters along the East Coast. Here's how to find shelter:

• Stay informed about the federal public health response and recovery effort, food and water safety, preventing disease and injury, safe clean-up, sanitation, and mental health resources.
• Monitor conditions in your area; find shelter; and let others know you are safe, with the Red Cross Hurricane App.
• Download the FEMA app to find a map with open shelters and open FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers.
• Call the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
• Search for shelters via text message: text: SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA). For example: Shelter 01234 (standard rates apply).
• Check local news media outlets.

Responders: People working on clean-up and helping disaster survivors also need to be concerned about their health and safety. The Department of Labor offers technical assistance and resources to help protect the occupational safety and health of workers in disaster areas.

Cancer patients can have can have weakened immune systems and may be at higher risk for infections, bleeding, fatigue, and injury. Call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) to learn where to receive care if a disaster event disrupts care or displaces patients.

Find Family and Friends

• Red Cross Safe and Well List  – During a disaster, register yourself as "safe and well" so that family and friends know of your well-being. You can also use the database to search for missing loved ones.
• Next of Kin National Registry  – Register with, or search, this emergency contact system if you or your family member is missing, injured, or deceased.
• International Evacuees and Foreign Nationals  – If you are a tourist or other foreign national and cannot reach family members directly, contact your consulate.

Donate and Volunteer

Donate Blood – Hurricane Sandy caused the cancellation of hundreds of Red Cross blood drives, resulting in a shortage of blood and platelets.

Cash donations are very useful in situations where supplies must be acquired quickly. This is the most efficient way to make an impact with your donations. If you need help in determining who to give to, the National Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster website has a list of major nonprofits that are active in disaster work or you can make your offer through the National Donations Management Network.

Volunteer - Affiliate with existing non-profit organizations before going to the disaster area. Immediately following a disaster, a community can become easily overwhelmed by the amount of generous people who want to help. Contacting and affiliating with an established organization will help to ensure that you are appropriately trained to respond in the most effective way. Be patient: Recovery lasts a lot longer than the media attention. There will be volunteer needs for many months.

Find Volunteer Opportunities

Additional Federal Government Resources

• U.S. Federal Agency Web Pages on Hurricane Sandy
• State Agency Web Pages with Hurricane Sandy Information
• Cleanup and Recovery
• Specific Populations
• Mental Health & Disasters
• Health Resources for the Public
• Multi-language Resources
• Social Media
• Maps
• Apps and Widgets
• Animal Handling in Disasters

Related articles

• US provides grant to aid New Jersey communities with recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• OSHA urges hurricane recovery workers to protect themselves against hazards (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• Deadly Asbestos Exposure Threat Left by Hurricane Sandy (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• Safety Tips for Workers Preparing For Hurricane Sandy (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• Rescue Workers Face Serious Safety Issues (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)

OSHA urges hurricane recovery workers to protect themselves against hazards

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 England states to be aware of the hazards they might encounter and the steps they should take to protect themselves.

"Storm recovery workers are working around the clock to clean up areas impacted by the storm," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's New York regional administrator. "We want to make sure that workers are aware of the hazards involved in cleanup work and take the necessary precautions to prevent serious injuries."

OSHA field staff members are providing safety assistance, technical support, and information and training to those involved in the recovery efforts. For more information about unsafe work situations, workers and the general public can contact OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

For more information about protecting workers during Hurricane Sandy recovery, visithttp://www.osha.gov/sandy/index.html. This comprehensive website offers fact sheets, concise "quick cards," frequently asked questions, safety and health guides, and additional information in English and Spanish.

Cleanup work can involve restoring electricity, communications, and water and sewer services; demolition activities; removal of floodwater from structures; entry into flooded areas; cleaning up debris; tree trimming; structural, roadway, bridge, dam and levee repair; use of cranes, aerial lifts and other heavy equipment; hazardous waste operations; and emergency response activities.

Inherent hazards may include downed electrical wires, carbon monoxide and electrical hazards from portable generators, fall and "struck-by" hazards from tree trimming or working at heights, being caught in unprotected excavations or confined spaces, burns, lacerations, musculoskeletal injuries, being struck by traffic or heavy equipment, and drowning from being caught in moving water or while removing water from flooded structures.

Protective measures include evaluating the work area for all hazards; assuming all power lines are live; using the right personal protective equipment (hard hats, shoes, reflective vests, safety glasses); conducting exposure monitoring where there are chemical hazards; following safe tree cutting procedures to prevent trees from falling on workers; and using fall protection and proper ladder safety when working at heights.

For additional information on grants, cleanup efforts and recovery resources, visit the Labor Department's Hurricane Recovery Assistance Web page, which is being continuously updated at http://www.dol.gov/opa/hurricane-recovery.htm. Also, a checklist of activities to be undertaken before, during and after a hurricane is available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency at http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

Read More About Safety

OSHA Urges An Injury & Illness Prevention Programs

Jan 17, 2012

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration has published a white paper urging that States implement injury and illness prevention programs. Citing statistics of the consequences of industrial accidents and injuries ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Workers' Compensation: Sun Exposure, Prevention and Workers ...

Jun 21, 2011

Sun Exposure, Prevention and Workers Compensation. The first day of summer brings attention to working outside, sun exposure and the risk of skin cancer. Workers Compensation coverage offers a unique opportunity to ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Workers' Compensation: Symposium on Prevention of ...

Mar 29, 2011

Symposium on Prevention of Occupationally-Related Distracted Driving. Distracted driving (including texting while driving and cell phone use) is a major cause of motor vehicle crashes. Many workers may be distracted while...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Federal Government Launches New Workplace Health Program

Jun 30, 2011

The initiative, with funds from the Affordable Care Act's Prevention and Public Health Fund, is aimed at improving workplace environments so that they support healthy lifestyles and reduce risk factors for chronic diseases like...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Related articles

• Safety Tips for Workers Preparing For Hurricane Sandy (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• Deadly Asbestos Exposure Threat Left by Hurricane Sandy (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• OSHA cites manager of Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island for asbestos and other hazards (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• OSHA Cites Employers for Exposing Workers to Asbestos - $148,000 (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)

Medicare Recovery Contractor Is Operational Again

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Medicaid administrator) logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hurricane Sandy Update

November 4, 2012

The Workers’ Compensation Case Control System (WCCCS) and the Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-aside Portal (WCMSAP) are currently operational. The Workers' Compensation Review Contractor (WCRC) has resumed its duties. 

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Rescue Workers Face Serious Safety Issues

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Northern Jersey 1st responders are confronting serious safety issues as these heros go forward with the rescue and recovery process.

While some are acts of nature cause near fatal and devastating injuries,others are caused by the failure of  civil authorities to adequately plan and act appropriately.

In Wayne NJ a police office was paralyzed when a tree fell upon his vehicle during the storm. Multiple hours of surgery saved his life, but serious injuries remained. 

A very serious gasoline shortage exists throughout the New York City area. Long lines, angry customers exist. Panic and fear are becoming more common. Problems have escalated as food supplies dwindle. Announcements have been made that clean water is now becoming scarce. Credit card machines continue to be disabled by the continuing massive power outages. Near freezing temperatures are moving into the region where heat is non-existent as fuel shortages and power outages persist.

The NY Times reported on the gas crisis besieging the region. "I've been pumping gas for 36 hours; I pumped 1,500 gallons. My nose, my mouth is bleeding from the fumes. The fighting just makes it worse."
ABHISHEK SONI, the owner of an Exxon in Montclair, N.J., where disputes on the line had become so heated that he summoned police officers to restore calm.

Gasoline is just not available. One needs to travel 5 exists west into Pennsylvania in search of fuel. Then you can see lines of trucks unsafely filling 55 gallon storage barrels with fuel from the gas station pumps to feed home generators. Compounding yet another problem of carbon monoxide exposures by improperly used equipment. No talk yet of gasoline rationing and no safety warnings.

Worker safety should be of prime concern in the rescue and recovery effort. Authorities need to step-up to the plate and protect our heros.

Related articles

• Tensions boil over at gas stations as pumps run dry in wake of Sandy (foxnews.com)
• Gasoline shortages in northeast U.S. highlights how quickly modern societies will unravel following disasters (theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com)
• Gasoline Shortages Disrupting Recovery From Hurricane (nytimes.com)
• In North Jersey, a desperate search for gasoline (oddonion.com)
• Superstorm Sandy: Gasoline runs short, adding woes to recovery (ndtv.com)
• In Hurricane Sandy, a powerful reminder we need government (dailykos.com)
• New Jersey Drivers Wait for Fuel as Sandy Curbs Gasoline - Bloomberg (bloomberg.com)
• Lines grow, tempers flare at pumps as gas shortage grows after Sandy (usnews.nbcnews.com)
• Hurricane Sandy's death and destruction (dearkitty1.wordpress.com)
• Gasoline Runs Short, Adding Woes to Storm Recovery (zen-haven.com)

Americans Unite in Support of Rescue and Recovery Effort

President Barack Obama and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie look at storm damage along the coast of New Jersey on Marine One, Oct. 31, 2012.

(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)