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Slip & Fall Accidents Lead Causes of Illinois Construction Deaths

Requiring workers to wear fall arrest equipment and devices Adequate perimeter protection Secure and covered floor openings Safe ladder and scaffold use The other leading causes of Illinois construction accidents were as follows: Exposure to harmful substances or environments Contact with objects and equipment Transportation accidents

Oregon Drowning Demonstrates Common Child Risk

A 21-month-old Oregon child was killed recently when he fell into a washing machine and drowned. The tragic accident has inspired the family to help educate other parents about the dangers of washing machines. Laundry rooms often contain a number of hazards that threaten the health and safety of children. Parents need to understand the danger that washing machines and dryers present so they can take proper precautions to protect their children. Child-proofing a home is not an easy task....

RECALL: Uneviscerated Fish Recalled Amid Poisoning Concerns

In our last post we discussed product recalls linked to salmonella and listeria contamination. Although these are the most common types of food recall causes, other forms of bacteria can also result in tainted consumer products and product liability litigation. One company is recalling salted fish which was found to be uneviscerated. In the U.S., most fish are eviscerated before being sold. This means that the entrails of the fish are removed and the fish are washed before sale. This...

Feds Fine Unsafe IL Food Processing Facility

Unsafe working conditions at Beardstown pork processing facility have led to $114,000 in proposed fines against Cargill Meat Solutions. OSHA inspectors launched an investigation of the facility after receiving a complaint regarding workplace safety violations. OSHA officials say that lockout and tagout procedures were improperly documented before workers began to perform maintenance and servicing on carbon dioxide equipment. Lockout and tagout procedures are essential in protecting employees from unexpected energization of machinery. Employees can suffer a variety of workplace injuries...

Using Fireworks Safely To Prevent Injuries

June is Fireworks Safety Month. Fireworks can be a fun way to enhance a celebration, particularly during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, but fireworks can cause severe burns and fatal injuries if not used correctly or safely. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is one of the organizations that wants people to be safe during Fourth of July celebrations and offers tips on their website for preventing fireworks eye injuries, burns and deaths. To stay safe, the U.S. CPSC recommends that people:...

What is a “Never Event” at a hospital?

In our last post we discussed serious medical malpractice incidents called "never events." A Never Event is a medical mistake so negligent or reckless that it should never occur. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the term "never event" was first used in 2001 by Ken Kizer, MD. At the time, Dr. Kizer was the head of the National Quality Forum which used the term "Never Events" to refer to shocking medical negligence. The term has...

Route 126 Car Accident Kills Oswego Man Yorkville Accidents

A man died early Friday morning in a single car accident on Identa Road near Yorkville. CBS Chicago reports that this is the fourth recent fatal car accident in Kendall County on Route 126. The 24-year-old Oswego man who died in Friday failed to negotiate a curve, overcorrected his vehicle, and then drove off of the other side of the road. The car then became airborne when he crashed into a culvert and rolled at least once. Four aspects of...

Phoenix Electrical Manufacturing Co. Sited By OSHA

A Chicago manufacturer was recently cited by OSHA officials for several serious workplace safety violations. Federal authorities say that Phoenix Electrical Manufacturing Co. was given $51,590 in proposed fines for exposing its workers to amputation injuries at a Chicago manufacturing facility. "Phoenix Electrical Manufacturing has a responsibility to provide proper machine guarding to prevent workers from amputations and other serious injuries when operating machinery in its facility," said Diane Turek, OSHA's area director for its Chicago North Office in Des...

IL Arbitrator For Workers Comp Accused Of Misconduct

Workers' compensation hearings are supposed to be held in public and before impartial arbitrators. One former Illinois workers' comp arbitrator recently had her law license suspended for a variety of alleged misbehaviors including inappropriate communication regarding workers' comp lawyers who appeared before her and rescheduling a controversial workers' compensation case to keep reporters from attending. An Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission hearing panel determined that Jennifer Carril's professional misconduct warranted a two year suspension of her law license. The...