State officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are currently investigating reports of fumes at an elementary school.

According to officials, maintenance crews were trying to unclog a sewer line that was backed up and were using a solvent to do so, but this allegedly did not work.

he next day, teachers claimed that they smelled a strong odor throughout the school. Workers then used fans and opened all of the school’s windows in order to alleviate the smell. Teachers then started to complain that they were feeling ill and some experienced respiratory illnesses.

If you or a loved one has been injured or become ill at work, you need experienced representation on your side. Contact the Raleigh workplace injury lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PPLC by calling 919-851-3311.

Two weeks ago, a man who was working as a forklift operator at Jones County Cotton Gin to raise money for Christmas was injured in a workplace accident at the cotton gin.  The 62-year old worker passed away later that day from the traumatic injuries he suffered in the accident.

Emergency crews found the man conscious and lying on the ground surrounded by cotton bales that appeared to have fallen.  The bales weigh several hundreds of pounds each.

There were no witnesses to the accident.  Investigators with the North Carolina Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Division, Jones County Cotton Gin, and the company’s insurance company are looking into what caused the fatal accident.

Our utmost sympathies go out to the victim’s family and friends.

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This coming Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is Black Friday.  Accordingly, retailers across the country will be opening early and offering huge sales for consumers looking to get started on their holiday shopping.

Last Thursday, officials with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a statement encouraging retailers to implement plans that will protect their employees from being injured on the job.  In particular, the agency recommends that retailers come up with crowd management strategies.  On Black Friday in 2008, a retail store employee was killed when a mob of shoppers rushed the store and he was trampled.

The statement included a tip sheet which suggests using an online lottery for more desirable items to prevent crowd rushing or fights among shoppers, implementing additional communication systems like using bullhorns, and designating certain workers to call 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency or injury.

If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, contact the Raleigh workplace injury lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC at 919-851-3311 to speak with one of our attorneys.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, workplace injures in the healthcare industry are increasing.

Last year, nonfatal injuries and illnesses to attendants, orderlies, and nursing aides increased by 7 percent with approximately 489 incidents per 10,000 workers.  Support workers in the healthcare industry experienced a 6 percent increase in injuries and illnesses to a rate of about 283 incidents per 10,000 workers.

The highest increase was in musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare workers.  The rate of these injuries among healthcare workers increased by 10 percent with 249 incidents per 10,000 workers.

The average injury and illness incident rate for workers in the U.S. workforce is approximately 118 incidents per 10,000 workers.

OSHA Assistant Secretary David Michaels stated, “It is unacceptable that the workers who have dedicated their lives to caring for our loved ones when they are sick are the very same workers who face the highest risk of work-related injury and illness.”

Contact the Raleigh workplace injury lawyers by calling 919-851-3311, if you or someone you love has been injured or become ill due to working conditions.

A New York woman’s arm was  amputated last Friday afternoon in a manufacturing accident at her job at Brand Packaging Group Inc..  The Long Island Press reported that the accident occurred around 2:30 PM at the Brand Packing Group Inc. plant on Price Parkway.

37-year-old Beatriz Blas of Wyandanch was working on a packing machine at the plant when her arm became stuck in the machine.  One of Blas’ coworkers ran to help her when he heard her screams and was able to free her from the machine.  Blas was airlifted to Nassau University Medical Center by emergency care officials.  Later, medical authorities had Blas transferred to Stony Brook University Medical Center where doctors are trying to reattach her arm.

On July 26th, two Pennsylvania men were injured in a terrible workplace accident at the AmeriCold shipping and refrigeration company facility in East Manchester Township around 3 AM.  The accident occurred when a 1,000 pound dock plate fell onto the two men.  One worker was able to get out from underneath and help 23-year old Robert Enfield out as well.  Enfield’s head was crushed by the dock plate.  Dock plates are metal ramps used to connect the gap between a truck and the floors of a dock.

Enfield and the other worker were rushed to a nearby hospital.  The worker was treated for injuries and release not long after.  Enfield suffered critical injuries and later passed away on July 31st.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating this terrible accident.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Enfield’s family and friends.