Tag: machine accidents

 

Last year in America roughly three million employees suffered a workplace injury from which they never recover, at a cost to business of close to $60 billion. These statistics are staggering. To help gain a better perspective on the realities of workplace danger, consider the most common risk assessment techniques used in the industry.

A pre-assessment meeting usually takes take place with the key contact/decision makers of your company, affected supervisors, and maintenance personnel. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the risk assessment process, set the scope of the risk assessment project, and discuss the “acceptable or tolerable” risk perceptions. Arrangements will be necessary for an electrician to be available to open control enclosures during the assessments. The presence of an experienced machine operator will also be required during the assessment as only an operational machine can be properly assessed.

The possibility of avoiding a hazard can be tied to the machinery or process design. If the operator must hand feed product closely into a hazard, the potential of avoiding injury is less than it would be if the product moved into the hazard from a remotely loaded conveyor or material handling system or if the machine or process design allowed the operator, set-up personnel, maintenance personnel, engineer, or any passers-by to walk along side of an unguarded hazard in order to get from one point to the other.

After the machine risk assessment is completed, a meeting will be scheduled to discuss the findings, explain the preliminary risk rankings, discuss possible ways of reducing the risk rankings, and discuss the time frame for completion of the detailed assessments and summary file.

Working with heavy equipment in itself often entails a high risk of injury.  However, when companies do not provide the proper maintenance of equipment and training of the operators, they may be liable for injuries incurred on a worksite.  It is the duty of the contractors to ensure not only that the workers are safe but that there is an adequate amount of warnings related to potentially hazardous zones.  For example, a supervisor’s failure to enforce safety measures may make him liable for injuries that occur due to his failure.

It is important to promptly report and investigate a construction accident case.  An attorney will help arrange for investigative work, including access to the property and photographs of the property.  In many cases there are deadlines to which a notice must be given to the accused party.  Therefore, it is highly recommended that one follow up on a accident case as soon as possible.

In court, the accused party will have attorneys that will try to refute and devalue your case.  Having an attorney who is experienced in handling personal injury cases involving heavy machinery and equipment on your side will help fight and counter the testimony given by the accused.  You have the right for proper compensation for the injuries attained by other people’s negligence!

At HURT-511, our personal injury lawyers help injured workers recover the benefits to which they are entitled by law. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, call us toll-free at 800-4878-511 or complete our online form. Our firm handles accident and injury claims throughout all five boroughs of New York.

HURT-511 operates in all boroughs of New York including all Bronx neighborhoods, namely: Bedford Park, Belmont, Fordham, Highbridge, Hunts Point, Jerome Park, Kingsbridge, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Parkchester, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Throgs Neck, University Heights

 

Work-related accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. They can occur if a body part or piece of clothing becomes stuck in the machinery, or if someone accidentally removes the warning label. Machinery accidents often cause serious and life-threatening injuries. Amputation injury is a common injury sustained in industrial or machinery accidents.

Workers have lost extremities such as fingers, hands, or arms in industrial accidents. These injuries require extensive treatment and they have life-changing consequences. Losing a finger or limb will change a person’s entire life. The loss may render a person incapable of working and caring for their loved ones. As most workers who are injured at the workplace have people dependent on them, the injury will affect an entire family and not just the individual.

New York workers’ compensation lawyers explain that industrial workers often work in long shifts and it is not a surprise that many workers are injured. It is important that the machinery is maintained well and the workers are trained properly for their operation.

Even a small error anywhere in the chain can cause an injury to someone. Employers know that workers can become injured and that is the reason why employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. Employees must understand that workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance, which means an injured worker will receive benefits irrespective of who is responsible for the injury.

Unsafe working conditions combined with a lack of safety precautions contribute to manufacturing accidents. Manufacturing accidents are often serious and may render a worker incapable of working again and earning their living. Some classes of workers such as material handlers, assemblers, machine operators, and general laborers are more prone to injuries. For such workers, injuries may have catastrophic and lifelong effects.

Some injuries are a result of machinery accidents, but continuous exposure to hazardous materials such as chemicals, plastics, metal, glass, and other similar substances can also cause illness. Failure to enforce safety codes and regulations also contribute to assembly line accidents. Negligent operation and machinery malfunctions are also a common cause of injuries. Lack of safety training also plays a major role in causing assembly line injuries.

At HURT-511, our personal injury lawyers help injured workers recover the benefits to which they are entitled by law. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, call us toll-free at 800-4878-511 or complete our online form. Our firm handles accident and injury claims throughout all five boroughs of New York.

HURT-511 operates in all boroughs of New York including all Bronx neighborhoods, namely: Bedford Park, Belmont, Fordham, Highbridge, Hunts Point, Jerome Park, Kingsbridge, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Parkchester, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Throgs Neck, University Heights

Last year in America roughly three million employees suffered a workplace injury from which they never recover, at a cost to business of close to $60 billion. These statistics are staggering. To help gain a better perspective on the realities of workplace danger, consider the most common risk assessment techniques used in the industry.

A pre-assessment meeting usually takes take place with the key contact/decision makers of your company, affected supervisors, and maintenance personnel. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the risk assessment process, set the scope of the risk assessment project, and discuss the “acceptable or tolerable” risk perceptions.

Arrangements will be necessary for an electrician to be available to open control enclosures during the assessments. The presence of an experienced machine operator will also required during the assessment as only an operational machine can be properly assessed.

The machine risk assessment will be conducted by one of our risk assessment specialists using the guidelines of ANSI B11.0-2015 Safety of Machinery—General Requirements and Risk Assessment. Standardized detailed assessment forms and photo documentation will be used to identify the personnel tasks, identify the hazards, gather all applicable machine component and operational information necessary to determine the current machine risk ranking level.

All applicable OSHA regulations and ANSI/NFPA standards will be considered during the machine review. Based on the assessment findings, the risk rankings will be calculated. In addition, suggested guarding changes will be made and potential risk ranking improvements calculated.

When evaluating machinery risks to meet OSHA and ANSI standards, there are three basic considerations – severity of injury and exposure frequency.

Severity of Injury: An evaluation of the injury severity (or consequences) of each possible hazard and rank order them by severity of the outcome will be done. This ranking will range from a possible fatality or limb amputation to minor “first aid” injuries.

Exposure Frequency: The exposure frequency is the number of times personnel (while performing a task) are exposed to a hazard in a given time period. We cannot get complacent with the work just because it has been performed in the past with no issues. Evaluations of the current engineered controls will be made in order to establish the exposure rate.

The possibility of avoiding a hazard can be tied to the machinery or process design. If the operator must hand feed product closely into a hazard, the potential of avoiding injury is less than it would be if the product moved into the hazard from a remotely loaded conveyor or material handling system or if the machine or process design allowed the operator, set-up personnel, maintenance personnel, engineer, or any passers-by to walk along side of an unguarded hazard in order to get from one point to the other.

After the machine risk assessment is completed, a meeting will be scheduled to discuss the findings, explain the preliminary risk rankings, discuss possible ways of reducing the risk rankings, and discuss the time frame for completion of the detailed assessments and summary file.

The summary report will list all of the machinery assessed, show current risk ranking, suggest guarding improvements and associated potential risk ranking improvements. All electronic documentation will be supplied back to you on the appropriate electronic media, depending on size requirements. In order to operate such machinery, construction workers must pass safety tests as well as abide by the strict rules and regulations that ensure not only their safety but also the safety of others.

Working with heavy equipment in itself often entails a high risk of injury.  However, when companies do not provide the proper maintenance of equipment and training of the operators, they may be liable for injuries incurred on a worksite.  It is the duty of the contractors to ensure not only that the workers are safe but that there is an adequate amount of warnings related to potentially hazardous zones.  For example, a supervisor’s failure to enforce safety measures may make him liable for injuries that occur due to his failure.

It is important to promptly report and investigate a construction accident case.  An attorney will help arrange for investigative work, including access to the property and photographs of the property.  In many cases there are deadlines to which a notice must be given to the accused party.  Therefore, it is highly recommended that one follow up on a accident case as soon as possible.

In court, the accused party will have attorneys that will try to refute and devalue your case.  Having an attorney who is experienced in handling personal injury cases involving heavy machinery and equipment on your side will help fight and counter the testimony given by the accused.  You have the right for proper compensation for the injuries attained by other people’s negligence!

For more information and enhance your company’s fall protection program this spring and summer contact HURT-511 and our personal injury lawyers help injured workers recover the benefits to which they are entitled by law. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, call us toll-free at 800-4878-511 or complete our online form. Our firm handles accident and injury claims throughout all five boroughs of New York.

HURT-511 operates in all boroughs of New York including all Bronx neighborhoods, namely: Bedford Park, Belmont, Fordham, Highbridge, Hunts Point, Jerome Park, Kingsbridge, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Parkchester, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Throgs Neck, University Heights and Woodlawn.

Workers who perform jobs involving the use of heavy machinery are at a high risk of injury. A worker who is injured in a machinery accident at the workplace may claim workers’ compensation benefits. If you come into contact with heavy machinery or equipment at the workplace, then you are at a greater risk of injury compared to workers in other fields. Whenever a worker operates or uses machinery involving moving parts, they are at a higher risk of injury. A small mistake or a minor malfunction can lead to a serious injury or even death of the worker.

Work-related accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. They can occur if a body part or piece of clothing becomes stuck in the machinery, or if someone accidently removes the warning label. Machinery accidents often cause serious and life-threatening injuries. Amputation injury is a common injury sustained in industrial or machinery accidents.

Workers have lost extremities such as fingers, hands, or arms in industrial accidents. These injuries require extensive treatment and they have life-changing consequences. Losing a finger or limb will change a person’s entire life. The loss may render a person incapable of working and caring for their loved ones. As most workers who are injured at the workplace have people dependant on them, the injury will affect an entire family and not just the individual.

New York workers’ compensation lawyers explain that industrial workers often work in long shifts and it is not a surprise that many workers are injured. It is important that the machinery is maintained well and the workers are trained properly for their operation. Even a small error anywhere in the chain can cause an injury to someone. Employers know that workers can become injured and that is the reason why employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. Employees must understand that workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance, which means an injured worker will receive benefits irrespective of who is responsible for the injury.

Third-party claims are distinct and separate from a workers’ compensation claim. In some cases, a machinery accident could be a result of equipment failure and in such cases, the manufacturer or sub-contractor may be held liable for the accident. There is a limit to workers’ compensation benefits that an injured worker may receive, but there is no such cap on third-party damages.

For more information and enhance your company’s fall protection program this spring and summer contact HURT-511 and our personal injury lawyers help injured workers recover the benefits to which they are entitled by law. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, call us toll-free at 800-4878-511 or complete our online form. Our firm handles accident and injury claims throughout all five boroughs of New York.

HURT-511 operates in all boroughs of New York including all Bronx neighborhoods, namely: Bedford Park, Belmont, Fordham, Highbridge, Hunts Point, Jerome Park, Kingsbridge, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Parkchester, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Throgs Neck, University Heights and Woodlawn.

A pinch point is “any point at which it is possible for a person or part of a person’s body to be caught between moving parts of a machine, or between the moving and stationary parts of a machine, or between material and any part of the machine,” according to OSHA. A pinch point can be located anywhere on a machine, including the point of operation. If any part of the worker’s body, typically hands or fingers, occupies that space during the pinching movement, there is a high probability of injury, such as fractures, amputations, contusions, lacerations or even death. Pinch-point hazard injuries can occur on a variety of different machine types, ranging from large hydraulic presses to small specialized machines, such as riveters and welders.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Make sure you are always wearing your safety gear and inspect it before each use. Although the last line of defense against a pinch point injury, PPE (proper gloves, footwear) is a necessity to ensure others notice your position and your extremities are protected. Make sure clothing is properly fitted as to not get caught in machinery, moving parts, items that open/close, etc.

Properly block any equipment or parts where stored energy could be released. OSHA defines stored energy as hazardous energy sources including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal or other sources in machines and equipment that can be hazardous to workers. During the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment, unexpected startup or release of stored energy could cause injury to employees.

Lockout-tagout procedures need to be put into place to control hazardous energy and prevent unexpected start up. Properly installed physical barriers or machine guards can help prevent workers from reaching into, through, over, under or around the pinch point.

We will be looking at “Good, Better, Best” approaches to safeguarding two machine types that present unavoidable pinch-point hazards – spot welders and pneumatic riveters. It is important to appreciate the magnitude of force between spot welding electrodes or riveting tips.

Spot welders require high forces between the moving electrodes ranging from a few hundred pounds to several thousand pounds. Because the force is concentrated on a small contact surface, the pounds per square foot can be extremely high. For example, a fairly typical electrode of 800 pounds with an electrode that has a ¼ inch diameter contact face will deliver 16,306 pounds per square foot. This is easily enough to severely crush or amputate a finger. Similarly, pneumatic riveting machines produce several thousand pounds of force concentrated on small-diameter mandrils. A typical rivet force of 2,000 pounds will deliver over 40,000 pounds per square inch.

Drop-probes provide economical, simple to understand and use, reliable protection for the operator. Drop-probe devices function by allowing a sensing probe to drop by gravity around the point-of-operation hazard of a riveter or welder prior to each intended machine cycle. The sensing probe cycle is initiated when the foot switch is pressed. If the sensing probe encounters the operator’s fingers and fails to drop past a preset position, the machine will not complete the cycle until the obstruction is cleared and the cycle is re-initiated.

The most unique and highly effective guarding device measures electrical continuity between the two electrodes to verify they are actually touching the part to be welded, or in the case of a riveter, continuity between the upper and lower mandrils. If anything, such as the operator’s finger, blocks the movement of the electrode, the system will not detect continuity. In other words, it must detect metal between the copper tips or riveting mandrils rather than a finger. When the foot pedal is closed, the electrodes are close under low force (50 pounds or less).

The continuity signal in a spot welder is picked up from wires on the welding transformer secondary pads, eliminating the need for wire connections at the electrodes. For riveters the sensing wires are connected to the frame of the rivet machine and the electrically-isolated lower tooling holder. In both cases the system will fail safe (lock out) if either of the pick-up wires is disconnected or if they are shorted together.

Pinch-point injuries are common and employers have an obligation to keep worker’s hands safe from pinch-point hazards. Task-based risk assessments are the critical first step in any safety evaluation and can identify hazards, such as pinch-point hazards. Risk-control factors, such as machine guarding, proper training and awareness of hand locations, and lockout tagout procedures, all help prevent pinch-point injuries. Devices, such as SOFT TOUCH, are the best method of safeguarding against pinch-point injuries as it features a 100% passive, fail safe method of detecting continuity.

For more information and enhance your company’s fall protection program this spring and summer contact HURT-511 and our personal injury lawyers help injured workers recover the benefits to which they are entitled by law. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, call us toll-free at 800-4878-511 or complete our online form. Our firm handles accident and injury claims throughout all five boroughs of New York.

HURT-511 operates in all boroughs of New York including all Bronx neighborhoods, namely: Bedford Park, Belmont, Fordham, Highbridge, Hunts Point, Jerome Park, Kingsbridge, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Parkchester, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Throgs Neck, University Heights and Woodlawn.

 

Nail guns are a convenient tool that is used in the construction and carpentry industry. Nail guns are also widely used as a home tool and by individuals interested in do-it-yourself carpentry and other hobby-related crafts. Nail guns were invented in the year 1950 for the construction industry, in a bid to expedite faster completion of work, especially when the usual nail-and-hammer way would take days to finish. Nail guns are a dangerous tool used by workers, resulting in a number of work-related injuries every year.

There are two types of nail guns. Contact trigger guns, which is a type of nail gun that allows for firing multiple shots. This is done by pressing one trigger down, with the nose of the gun placed against the surface and then releasing the nail. Contact trigger guns work faster and are more likely to cause injuries.

The type is called sequential trigger. Guns fire one nail at a time, by pressing one trigger and then the second sequentially, to fire one nail. This step has to be repeated for each nail. Though sequential guns take a longer amount of time to complete the same amount of work, they are safer to use.

According to data collected, almost 40,000 individuals report to the emergency room with nail gun-related injuries per year. Almost all injuries that are reported are puncture wounds caused by nail guns. The most common injuries are to the hands, legs, and arms. Though some of these injuries are reported, a large number of injuries are not reported, as many prefer to use first aid at home. There are also a large number of cases where nail gun injuries are reported only after the wound becomes infected, needing the attention of an emergency room.

Any individual using a nail gun should learn how to safely use a nail gun. Invest the time in reading the instruction manual before operating a nail gun. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has placed standards and regulations for construction companies to ensure adequate training for workers using such equipment. For home users and individuals, it is safer to make a wise choice during purchase and opt for a sequential trigger nail gun that is a little slower to work, rather than a contact trigger gun, that is faster yet more dangerous.

For more information and enhance your company’s fall protection program this spring and summer contact HURT-511 and our personal injury lawyers help injured workers recover the benefits to which they are entitled by law. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, call us toll-free at 800-4878-511 or complete our online form. Our firm handles accident and injury claims throughout all five boroughs of New York.

HURT-511 operates in all boroughs of New York including all Bronx neighborhoods, namely: Bedford Park, Belmont, Fordham, Highbridge, Hunts Point, Jerome Park, Kingsbridge, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Parkchester, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Throgs Neck, University Heights and Woodlawn.

 

Machinery accidents can cause great harm. These accidents often involve an employee being crushed by a piece of machinery or being trapped in or pinned by it. Due to the risks associated with using heavy machinery, workers should be properly trained on the equipment before using it. To prevent machinery accidents, equipment should be well maintained.

Heavy machinery poses a safety risk for equipment operators and other workers, especially in the construction industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that approximately 150,000 construction workers are injured each year. Thirty-five percent of workplace injuries and 14 percent of work-related deaths are caused by machine accidents. It is important for both workers and employers to understand the hazards of working with heavy machinery and the appropriate precautionary measures to take.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are four leading causes of construction industry fatalities referred to as “the fatal four”. The fatal four are: falls, struck by object, electrocutions and caught in/between accidents. Seventy-five percent of these fatal work accidents involve heavy machinery. However, workers on construction sites are at risk of sustaining injury from many different causes, including the following hazards.

First, workers may be struck by falling materials or other objects such as heavy machinery or vehicles. Second, workers may also be injured when they are out of an equipment operator’s line of vision or when an equipment operator fails to set the brakes or chock the wheels. Third, heavy machinery may not be properly locked/tagged out during maintenance, causing serious injury to unaware workers. Finally, workers may get caught in/between equipment with unguarded or rotating parts; this type of accident accounts for seven percent of construction worker deaths.

Employers have a duty to provide their employees with a safe and healthful work environment. Workers should also take an active role in workplace safety in order to reduce workplace accidents. Operating heavy machinery is highly technical; to do so safely requires training and experience. Ensuring that workers are properly trained can help prevent accidents. Heavy machinery requires regular inspection and maintenance. These procedures should be done after performing lockout/tagout procedures to prevent workers from being exposed to hazardous energy.

It is important to communicate safe work practices to employees. Inform workers about the safety procedures for handling heavy equipment and put administrative controls in place to minimize the risk of injury. Workers must be provided with personal protective equipment and equip heavy machinery with rollover protective structure (ROPS).

Also, a limited access zone or swing radius around heavy machinery so workers do not get inadvertently injured must be clearly designated. When workers are under pressure to meet deadlines, they are more likely to get in accidents. Encourage workers to take the time to complete all tasks safely. Extra attention is required when working with heavy machinery due to their potential to cause work-related deaths.

For more information and enhance your company’s fall protection program this spring and summer contact HURT-511 and our personal injury lawyers help injured workers recover the benefits to which they are entitled by law. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, call us toll-free at 800-4878-511 or complete our online form. Our firm handles accident and injury claims throughout all five boroughs of New York.

HURT-511 operates in all boroughs of New York including all Bronx neighborhoods, namely: Bedford Park, Belmont, Fordham, Highbridge, Hunts Point, Jerome Park, Kingsbridge, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Parkchester, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Throgs Neck, University Heights and Woodlawn.