Hackensack Workers' Compensation Law Blog

Many New Jersey factory workers face serious risks from pinch points. A pinch point is a gap between two moving parts where a person or a body part could get caught or stuck. In some cases, pinch points involve spaces between a moving part and a stationary object. They are generally found in printing presses, press brakes or conveyors. Powered covers, doors and hatches may also contain dangerous pinch points.

Workers can be protected either by guards or devices. Devices are designed to either stop when a worker's hand or other body part is in a machine or to not allow a worker to get stuck in a machine at all while it's in motion. For example, a machine may not run unless both of a person's hands are on the controls. Any guard or device should be difficult to remove or tamper with, and it should be strong enough to withstand damage.

Depending on your profession, you may need to use a ladder to complete various tasks. For example, roofers and painters use ladders almost every day of the week.

Even if you've been safely using a ladder for many years, you could still make a mistake that causes an accident. Here are some safety tips that will give you peace of mind:

• Don't use a damaged ladder: Ladders don't last forever, so you should check for damage and defects before taking your first step. A damaged ladder is one that's much more likely to cause an accident.
• One person at a time: Even if you're in a hurry, there's never a good time for two or more people to use a ladder at the same time.
• Choose the right size ladder: The ladder you use to reach a roof is not likely to be the same one you use to paint the interior of a home. The wrong size ladder can force you to lean or reach, which puts you at risk.
• Keep an eye on the weather: Inclement weather, such as rain and wind, can compromise your safety when using a ladder. If conditions take a turn for the worst when working outdoors, pull down your ladder and move to safety for the time being.
• Don't set your ladder near high traffic areas: If you set your ladder near the path of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, there's a greater chance that someone or something will knock into it. If this happens while you're on the ladder, you're likely to fall to the ground below.

Pneumoconiosis is a form of interstitial lung disease, or lung disease that causes scarring to lung tissue. The most common types of pneumoconiosis are asbestosis, silicosis and black lung, which is properly called coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Workers in New Jersey should be aware that these are all caused by the inhalation of certain particles. In the above-mentioned cases, the particles would be asbestos fibers, silica dust and coal mine dust.

Dust containing other elements like aluminum, graphite, iron and talc can lead to pneumoconiosis, but this is not as frequently reported. Workers who develop asbestosis, silicosis or black lung disease may not show any symptoms until years later. By that time, they may experience lung impairment and disabilities.

Loading docks can be a dangerous area for workers in New Jersey to find themselves in. The good news is that there are basic steps that companies can take to minimize the opportunity for an accident to occur. One such step is to provide training as it relates to using forklifts. To comply with OSHA regulations, employees should be taught how to use the specific machines that they will be working with on the job.

Workers should be equipped with safety gear such as footwear that won't cause them to skid or slide on a dock floor. They should also be given protection for their ears, eyes and face. Helmets may protect employees from objects falling from shelves or similar objects. The dock itself should be dry and in good condition at all times. Doing so may prevent workers from slipping, tripping or falling.