Monthly Archives: April 2012

Identify Playground Safety Issues Before They Cause an Accident

Spring is now in full force, and the warmer weather brings legions of children outside to play. Parks and playgrounds are important for communities and help children get proper exercise outside, but it is important for parents to inspect playground equipment to identify problem areas that have the potential to cause serious personal injury. National Playground Safety Week was last week, and Safe Kids, USA, has offered the following tips to spot safety issues before a playground accident occurs: Playgrounds should have shredded rubber, mulch, wood chips or sand to protect children from falls. Grass and soil are not good surfaces for playground safety. This surface material should be at least 12 inches deep and extend 6 feet past the equipment. Contact your local parks and recreation department if the equipment is in need of repair. These departments rely on community input. Make sure your child is dressed properly for…
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OSHA Investigating 19-year-old Worker Killed in North Augusta Construction Accident

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death of the 19-year-old construction worker in North Augusta. The worker was employed by Southeastern Freight Lines where he was working with another young man to hook two trailers together. Tragically, the worker was pinned between a truck and a dolly when the other backed up the trailer into him. OSHA began its investigation of this construction accident almost immediately, as the administration looks into every incidence of serious injury or fatality occurring on job sites. OSHA has the power to fine or make orders to companies not in compliance with federal safety laws and standards. CBS news attempted to learn whether the two workers had appropriate training and licenses to operate the machinery involved in the accident, but Southeastern Freight Lines did not return their calls. (Not surprising since the accident is still under investigation.) Spring is the time of…
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13th Annual Work Zone Awareness Week Reaches Out to South Carolina Workers

South Carolina workers are getting a boost this week with a nation-wide campaign regarding work zone safety, as April 23-27 is National Work Zone Awareness Week. This week affects not just workers, but all communities as work zone fatalities occur on public roads and highways and often involve other motorists. Between 2005 and 2009, over 4,000 car accidents occurred in work zones and during this time, 42 workers were killed and 1,755 were injured. Not just a worker issue, the public must be aware of such dangers when they get behind the wheel. The goals of the Work Zone Awareness week were threefold: To increase public awareness of the need for greater caution and care while driving through work zones; To reduce fatalities and injuries in work zones; and To increase public sector, industry and worker awareness of the value of safety training and best practices regarding work zone safety….
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Posted in Auto Accidents, Construction Accidents, Workers Compensation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment