Workplace Injuries

• Another Construction Worker Falls To Death

  Bob Carroll | September 26, 2006 11:27 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  How many times do construction workers have to fall to their deaths before proper guardrails or other barriers are put in place? The St. Petersburg Times reports another worker has died after a fall of some 10 stories.Construction worker dies in 10-story fall off liftA construction worker fell to his death Monday morning from the 10th floor of a condominium complex.Howard Theriot, 31, of St....

• Shortage Of OSHA Inspectors In Florida

  Bob Carroll | August 31, 2006 7:30 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Thanks to Confined Space for this explanation of the lack of workplace inspections by OSHA. SHOCKED! Not Enough OSHA InspectorsFollowing the death of a construction worker who fell from the roof of the 30-story building to the sixth floor deck, Jacksonville, Florida media seem surprised that there aren't enough OSHA inspectors to ensure that workplaces are safe.According to Charles Sorenson, an...

• Indiana Coal Mine Construction Accident Kills Three

  Shannon Weidemann | August 11, 2007 5:12 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Three construction workers were killed at a mine in Princeton, Indiana while they were building a new air shaft. A basket was being used to raise and lower workers in the air shaft and that is where the worksite accident occurred. The air shaft is 600 feet long. Police say crews are working to remove the bodies at Gibson County Coal. The accident occurred about 11 a.m. Central time. Police...

• Flagman Flattened By Cement Truck

  Bob Carroll | January 25, 2007 5:45 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  The flagmen of the world keep us safe. They slow us down and guide us though construction sites. But, who is keeping them safe? Flagman hurt when he's hit by cement truckA flagman at a Fort Lauderdale construction site was rushed to the hospital this morning after being run over by a cement truck, authorities and witnesses said.It happened at the Trump International Hotel and Tower off of...

• Hold The Applause For Work Comp Rate Reductions

  Bob Carroll | October 18, 2006 2:41 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Over at Insurance Journal we are told Florida is providing a significant boost to Florida businesses in the form of a 15.7% reduction in the workers' compensation insurance rates. The reduction is supposed to produce a savings of $400 Million for Florida employers. I would join the cheering and applause if the entire savings had not been built on the backs of injured workers whose benefits and...

• When The Employer Is Reckless What Should Penalty Be?

  Bob Carroll | October 14, 2006 8:51 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  I have investigated an "accident" at a large industrial facility in Florida that happened because the company had intentionally by-passed the safety interlock system on six giant machines. Why had the safety systems been by-passed? To increase the production of the machines and avoid shutdowns.In my mind, the terrible injury sustained by my client was no "accident" - it was an inevitable...

• Deaths In The Florida Workplace

  Bob Carroll | September 18, 2006 4:58 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  The list of workplace deaths in the past week compiled at Confined Space underscore the need for greater attention to safety. And, sadly, features a number of Florida incidents. A sampling of the list: Weekly Toll: Death In The American WorkplaceAttendant dies after struggle with maximum security patientCHATTAHOOCHEE, Fla. - An attendant at the state's largest mental hospital collapsed and...

• Labor Day Thoughts About A Deadly Week For U.S. Workers

  Bob Carroll | September 04, 2006 8:13 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  On Labor Day we should pause to realize how many workers in the U.S. die each week performing their duties, providing needed services, building our homes, transporting our goods, supporting their families and chasing the American Dream. Confined Space provides a listing of the weekly death toll for us to review.Weekly Toll: Death In The American WorkplaceTree service worker dies as saw taps...

• TampaBays10.com Details Construction Site Fall To Death

  Bob Carroll | August 26, 2006 12:30 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  TampaBays10.com is breaking the news of a tragic construction site death in Southwest Florida. Sadly, it is a story of preventable mistakes I have heard before. Construction worker falls to death in EsteroSouthwest Florida authorities say a construction worker fell 21 stories to his death through a ventilation shaft at a high-rise work site.The Lee County Sheriff's Office says 24-year-old Jose...

• It Ain't Easy Being Mickey

  Bob Carroll | April 10, 2006 8:42 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Visitors to the theme parks of Florida may not appreciate the pain and suffering going on under those character costumes. The word from China is that being Mickey or Pluto is not a walk in the park. In Florida, the Workers' Compensation law requires that the employer provide a safe workplace. If costumed characters are regularly experiencing physical problems, which may be the case, I would...