Construction worker safety is of utmost importance in Colorado, and ladder safety is one aspect that has recently received a lot of attention. The U.S. Department of Labor says roofers are at a particular risk, and between 75 and 100 of them are killed in workplace accidents every year. Around 75 percent of those deaths…
Although forklifts are used in many industries in Colorado, their presence in lumberyards typically causes severe hazards. The risks of serious injuries — and even permanent disability — apply not only to the operators of lift trucks but also workers sharing their workspaces with these dangerous machines. Because the use of forklifts is so prevalent…
Most people work in regular, eight-hour shifts during daylight hours. They also get an overnight break that gives them a respite from job pressures and enables them to sleep, for a while at least. But what about people who are working extended hours under stressful conditions, such as utility workers trying to restore electrical service…
Colorado workers in different industries are exposed to safety hazards every day. Some of these are not injuries that are immediately evident; rather, they develop over time. One such hazard is exposure to excessive noise, which can cause permanent disability after frequent exposure over a number of years. High noise levels in the workplace can…
Colorado workers in the scrap recycling industry may find comfort in learning that there a cooperative effort involving the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries promotes improved safety. Workers’ rights include the right to work environments that are free of known hazards. Nevertheless, the number of workplace accidents within…
Colorado workers at fracking sites are exposed to a disease that dates back to ancient times and one that remains a severe threat. The danger is in the silica particles — often too small for the eye to see — that are contained in the sand that is used in the fracking process. After a…