Copyright

(c) 2010-2026 Jon L Gelman, All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Canadian Asbestos Register of Public Buildings Now On-Line

Deadly asbestos building materials remain in many structures
In an effort to protect workers and public from deadly asbetsos fiber, the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan has now mandated that builings containing asbestos fiber be publically listed and the list published to the Internet.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral which was widely used in the manufacture of a variety of products beginning in the late nineteenth century. Although the majority of exposure to asbestos occurred between 1940 and 1980, in occupations such as construction, shipyards, railroads, insulation, sheet metal, automobile repair, and other related fields, exposure coninutes to this day. Asbestos fibers are inhaled by workers and remain in the lungs where they can cause disease, ie. asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Fibers are also inhalled by family members or any other person coming into contact with asbestos whereever it may be. We believe that the evidence shows that the companies which manufactured these products knew that their products would injure people, and that they actively conspired to hide this information in order to keep selling their products, and as a result they are now being held liable for the resulting injuries.

Required Notifications of High Risk Asbestos Processes

When a process is considered a “high-risk asbestos process,” employers, contractors or owners are required to notify the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the intention to begin the work, at least 14 days in advance.

Learn more about what a high-risk process is (see Table 5 on page 258 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations) and how to submit a notification.

Saskatchewan Asbestos Register of Public Buildings

The Saskatchewan Asbestos Register (SAR) has been created to share information about public buildings assessed for the presence of asbestos.  Provincial and municipal governments, regional health authorities, and school districts have been invited to list this information for government buildings, healthcare facilities, and schools.
....
Jon L.Gelman of Wayne NJ, helping asbestos victims and their families for over 4 decades, 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 asbestos
Nov 08, 2012
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 ...
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 ...
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" ...
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 ...

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

NJ Workers Compensation Courts Reopen

Long Beach Island, N.J., Nov. 11, 2012 -- Utility crews are hard at work on Long Beach Island to help residents with their recovery. FEMA is working with local, state and other federal agencies to provide assistance. Steve Zumwalt/FEMA
Almost two weeks after Hurricane Sandy made landfall in NJ, the New Jersey Division of Workers' Compensation has announced the reopening of the Lebanon and New Brunswick offices.

"Power has been restored to the New Brunswick and Lebanon Workers' Compensation Court offices, both will be OPEN for business on Tuesday, November 13, 2012."

Read more about "Hurricane Sandy"

19 hours ago
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 ...
Oct 25, 2012
The NJ Office of Emergency Management and the National Hurricane Center are closely monitoring Hurricane Sandy ("frankenstorm") as it has the potential to become an historic storm as it moves up the Eastern seaboard ...
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 ...
Oct 28, 2012
The NJ Office of Emergency Management and the National Hurricane Center are closely monitoring Hurricane Sandy ("frankenstorm") as it has the potential to become an historic storm as it moves up the Eastern seaboard .

NJ Supreme Tolls Statute of Limitations For 3 Weeks Due to Hurricane Sandy


 Volunteers from Cruz Roja Mexicana hand out water and food to Hurricane Sandy survivors. Hoboken has a large Hispanic population and Spanish-speaking volunteers are in high demand here. Photo by Liz Roll/FEMA
SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY
            Because of the devastating impact and aftermath of Hurricane Sandy on the State of New Jersey, it is ORDERED that in the computation of time periods under the Rules of Court and under any statute of limitations, Monday, October 29, 2012 through Friday, November 16, 2012, for purposes of filing deadlines, shall be deemed the same as legal holidays.

            This tolling Order consolidates, extends, and supersedes the separate Orders dated November 1, 2012 (which covered October 29, 2012 through November 1, 2012); November 2, 2012 (which covered November 2, 2012); and November 5, 2012 (which covered November 5, 2012).
                                                                                                                      
                                                                                          /s/ Stuart Rabner
                                                                                                Chief Justice
Read more about "Hurricane Sandy"
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 ...
Nov 05, 2012
NJ Hurricane Sandy Resources: Food, Water, Fuel, Hotels and Pharmacies. The NJ Regional Operational Intelligence Center has now posted a list of resources for victims suffering from Hurricane Sandy. FOOD Type Address ...
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 ...
Nov 01, 2012
We in New Jersey suffered devastating effects from Hurricane Sandy. The storm left a trail of decimation equivalent to the creation of a war zone, and some of most treacherous rescue and recovery situations ever imagined.


Monday, November 12, 2012

NJ Provides Workers' Compensation For Hurricane Recovery Employees

West Long Branch, N.J., Nov. 9, 2012 --In West Long Branch, electrical repair trucks stand ready in the night to be utilized during the next shift to continue the huge job of restoring power to the thousands in the state still without. FEMA is working with state and local agencies to expedite the return of normalcy after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. Photo by Sharon Karr/FEMA
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 that they maybe covered under the New Jersey Workers' Compensation Act for potential benefits.

The NJ Workers' Compensation Act is clear, if the accident occurs in the State of NJ then then the injured worker is covered and entitled to benefits. THe benefits are: temporary disability, medical treatment and permanent disability. 

Injured workers must comply with certain notice provision and should consult an attorney at law for guidance.

"In addition to the many thousands of utility workers, more than 280 troopers from eight states deployed last weekend to New Jersey to provide security at checkpoints and patrols in Monmouth County from the Bayshore area to Brielle, and in Ocean County on the barrier islands from Point Pleasant Beach to Long Beach Island."
Click Here to Read: "Sandy recovery becomes national mission as countless workers come to N.J.'s aid" (nj.com)
....
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
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 ...
Nov 05, 2012
NJ Hurricane Sandy Resources: Food, Water, Fuel, Hotels and Pharmacies. The NJ Regional Operational Intelligence Center has now posted a list of resources for victims suffering from Hurricane Sandy. FOOD Type Address ...
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 ...
Nov 01, 2012
We in New Jersey suffered devastating effects from Hurricane Sandy. The storm left a trail of decimation equivalent to the creation of a war zone, and some of most treacherous rescue and recovery situations ever imagined.

Friday, November 9, 2012

In Honor of Our Veterans - Veterans Day 2012

Changing of The Guard Ceremony
Arlington National Cemetary
(c) Jon L. Gelman

Our Journey Forward on Occupational Medical Care

President Barack Obama
On Tuesday, the American people expressed its support for a unified medical care program that will embrace all aspects of life, including industrial accidents and diseases.  They validated, as did the Supreme Court, the coverage afforded those who have suffered from industrial pollution such as the deadly asbestos exposures that occurred in Libby Montana (“Libby Care”).

Going forward it is imperative that a universal medical program be established to provide medical treatment for  all work-related occupational injuries and exposures. The delay and denial of medical benefits to those who suffer from industrial illness must be cured.

“America has never been about what can be done for us. It’s about what can be done by us, together, through the hard and frustrating but necessary work of self-government. That's the principle we were founded on.”
— President Barack Obama, November 7, 2012

....
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 Universal Medical Care – The “Libby Care” Prototype
Workers' Compensation: Libby Care Launches - Center for Asbestos ...
Apr 03, 2010
The recent health care reform legislation provided for the Libby Care which will provide universal medical care for victims of asbestos related disease. The plan is a pilot program for occupational disease medical care fully ...
http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/
Workers' Compensation: Libby Care Program Begins Enrollment ...
May 19, 2010
The “Libby Care” provisions, and its envisioned prodigies, will embrace more exposed workers, diseases and geographical locations, than any other program of the past. Potential pilot programs will now be available to ...
http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/
Workers' Compensation: The Health Reform Act Charts a New ...
Apr 12, 2010
The “Libby Care” provisions, and its envisioned prodigies, will embrace more exposed workers, diseases and geographical locations, than any other program of the past. Potential pilot programs will now be available to ...
http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Thursday, November 8, 2012

OSHA cites New York contractor for exposing workers to fall and other hazards

RCP Services Inc. of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for nine safety violations while performing concrete work at a residential apartment complex on Big Island Drive in Jacksonville. An inspection was initiated in August after an OSHA inspector observed employees working without fall protection. Proposed penalties total $47,000.

One willful violation is for allowing employees to work on elevated surfaces without fall protection. The citation carries a $35,000 penalty. A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.

Eight serious violations involve exposed and protruding rebar, a lack of eye and face protection, using a welding cable that required repair, using a damaged extension cord, exposing workers to falling objects, not maintaining fire extinguishing equipment and having unprotected holes in the floor that could cause workers to trip or fall. The citations carry $12,000 in penalties. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

"Falls are the leading cause of death for workers in residential construction," said Brian Sturtecky, OSHA's area director in Jacksonville. "Employers must take responsibility for ensuring that workers have and wear proper equipment at all times."

OSHA has created a fall prevention Web page – http://www.osha.gov/stopfalls – with detailed information in English and Spanish on fall protection standards. The page offers fact sheets, posters and videos that vividly illustrate various fall hazards and appropriate preventive measures.

OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are working with trade associations, labor unions, employers, universities, community and faith-basedorganizations, and consulates to provide employers and workers – especially vulnerable, low-literacy workers – with education and training on common-sense fall prevention equipment and strategies that save lives.

RCP Services specializes in tunnel form construction. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

....
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 theLaw Offices of Jon L. Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.comhave been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.

Read more about OSHA
Nov 05, 2012
"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...
Sep 21, 2012
Forklift injuries produce serious workers' compensation claims, so it is no surprise that the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is acutely concerned about forklift safety rule ...
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 ...
Aug 18, 2012
OSHA initiated its March investigation in response to a complaint and also as part of the agency's national emphasis program on process safety management for covered chemical facilities. Proposed penalties total $82,500.
Related articles