OSHA recently cited an Illinois construction company after an employee was seriously injured in a trench collapse accident. The employee was buried up to his waste after an unprotected trench collapsed as he was working on a residential storm sewer deeper than 5 feet. Despite being highly preventable, trench and excavation collapse accidents occur with… Read More »
Common Questions Regarding Iowa Workers’ Compensation
What types of injures are covered by workers compensation in Iowa? Any injury or condition caused by work activities other than the normal building up or tearing down of body tissues are compensable as are preexisting conditions where work aggravates or worsens them. Injuries resulting from work related slips trips and falls, struck by or… Read More »
Construction Workers Risk of Asbestos Caused Mesothelioma
Over a million construction workers are currently exposed to asbestos that can lead to conditions including asbestosis, where small fibers cause scarring in the lungs making it increasingly difficult to breath. Asbestos exposure can also result in the disease of malignant mesothelioma, a cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, heart, and abdomen… Read More »
Manufacturing Plant Workers Injured at Wind Tower Plant
One manufacturing plant worker was killed and another worker critically injured Saturday in an accident at a wind tower manufacturing plant in Newton, Iowa underscoring just how dangerous manufacturing jobs can be even in the wind energy sector. Iowa is a leading wind energy producer in the nation and its central location and transportation infrastructure… Read More »
Maximizing Workers’ Compensation for Workplace Shoulder Injuries
Work injuries involving the shoulder are more common than many realize and can be very debilitating. A very common shoulder injury workers suffer involves the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder and help it move. Symptoms of a rotator cuff injury can include shoulder pain and… Read More »
4 Steps to Take Following an Iowa Work Injury
If you are injured at work, it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure you are covered under Iowa workers’ compensation: Immediately following a work accident, report the incident to your supervisor regardless of whether you think you need prompt medical attention “in the moment.” Sometimes, an injury that seems like nothing,… Read More »
Workers’ Memorial Day Raising Awareness
The National Safety Council is calling on all Americans to prioritize work safety as Workers’ Memorial Day approaches April 28. Workers Memorial Day not only honors those who lost their lives at work, but also seeks to raise awareness as part of its mission to protect workers from injuries on the job. Preventable workplace fatalities… Read More »
The Difference Between Workers’ Compensation and Third Party Claims
With construction ramping up across Iowa this spring, workers are reminded to take precautions when working at construction sites to avoid injury. Construction workers are at higher risk for falls when working from heights such as rooftops or ladders. Because construction sites have a lot of moving parts such as machinery or vehicles, they are… Read More »
Fired From Job After Drug Testing
The trend toward legalizing the use of recreational pot across the nation shows no sign of stopping. Despite the fact that marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, and recreational use is still prohibited in many states including Iowa, rapid legalization by several states along with a more relaxed attitude toward marijuana use in general… Read More »
Healthcare and Social Worker Injuries Due to Violence
The rate of violence directed at healthcare and social workers is up to 12 times higher than other industries and lawmakers are calling for employers to develop and implement workplace violence prevention plans to protect employees from injury. Last fall, a bill was introduced to compel OSHA to create an enforceable standard to ensure employers… Read More »
