Construction deaths in New York increased during first year of pandemic, report shows
Forty-one employees were killed on construction sites in New York in 2020, including 13 in New York City, according to a report published Thursday by the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health. At the same time, federal regulators conducted the lowest ever number of inspections in New York State in 2020, a 53% decline from 2019, the report found. Gotham Gazette
Employer not liable for death of employee who drowned at work
An employee drowned while pressure-washing a dock. At the time, he was not wearing a personal floatation device. Did his employer have a legal obligation to make sure he used one? The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued a recent ruling on the issue. HR Morning
St. Cloud Times urges COVID-19 frontline workers’ comp coverage
There’s no doubt frontline employees were at heightened risk of exposure to COVID-19 infection during the height of the omicron variant’s community spread, and they should not be harmed financially for the risk they took, writes the editorial board of the St. Cloud Times, in support of legislation to make it more likely frontline employees would receive workers’ compensation coverage during the first five weeks of the year. St. Cloud Times
Wearable devices monitor potential ergonomic issues
Computer-based training programs have proven to be effective overall in improving workplace safety and food safety. An executive with a company that supplies wearable devices says managers can use the data to identify high-risk employees and focus on coaching those individuals who may benefit from one-on-one sessions in addition to the device feedback. Baking Business