What is our COVID-19 Future?

Over the last two years, chaos has reigned in the workplace as workers, employers, and insurance companies attempted to adjust to the emergence of COVID and its multiple variants. While infectious diseases have impacted occupational environments in the last century, the lack of preparation was totally inadequate.

OSHA Fines Roofing Company $360,531

An Illinois roofing contractor – with a history of violating federal safety standards and ignoring safety citations – was cited again by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration for exposing workers to deadly fall hazards at two separate job sites in October 2021. Joshua Herion – who does business as ECS Roofing Professionals Inc. – faces proposed penalties of $360,531.

Injury Caused by Defeated Machine Guard Results in OSHA Fine of $159,522

An employee working at Crystal Finishing Systems Inc.’s aluminum extrusion facility in Weston was hospitalized with serious injuries after being struck by a puller machine while trying to unjam a piece of aluminum.

EPA Proposes to Ban Ongoing Uses of Asbestos

In a historic step, the US Environmental Protection Administration [EPA] is moving to protect people from cancer risks and is moving to ban asbestos in the US. The EPA has proposed its first-ever risk management rule under the 2016 Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act.

The Effects of Obesity on an Injury

The impact of morbid obesity on the residuals of an injury that occurred at work is to be considered when evaluating an individual’s eligibility for Social Security disability.

The Risk of Working in a Factory

A Federal Court in NJ has dismissed a civil action for intentional tort brought by an injured worker against the employer. 

Rules Adopted to End NJ Pension Cost Shifting

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development [DLWD] adopted Rules embracing the recommendations of  NJ State Comptroller concerning NJ State Pensions. A February 2021 investigative report by the NJ State Comptroller raised critical issues common to other state and national collateral social insurance programs challenged by current fiscal limitations. The rules are effective as of March 7, 2022.  54 N.J.R.448(a). The Rules were adopted without change and have retroactive application.