In an October 21 press release, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an encouraging decline in workplace injuries and illnesses. Across much of the U.S., workers compensation claims are down in many industries, particularly construction. Among private employers, nonfatal accidents declined to a rate of 3.6 cases for every 100 full-time workers in 2009, down from 3.9 per 100 in 2008. BLS also announced a drop in the total number of cases in the U.S., which declined … [Read more...]
L&I Fines Tesoro $2.39 Million for Fatal Workplace Accident
October 11, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Last week, the Department of Labor & Industries released findings from its investigation of the April explosion at the Tesoro plant in Anacortes, which killed seven people. L&I determined that the accident could have been prevented, and has issued a $2.39 million fine against Tesoro, citing the company for 39 “willful violations” and 5 “serious” violations of Washington state workplace safety and health regulations. In an Oct 4th press conference, an agency spokesperson noted … [Read more...]
Worker Awarded Occupational Disease Benefits for Asbestos Exposure
October 7, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Debates over the latency period for developing asbestos-related lung disease reemerged in a recent case involving a union worker suffering from an occupational disease. The claimant—a 74 year-old industrial worker employed by the Delaware City Refinery from 1982 to 2007—developed bilateral interstitial fibrosis from asbestos-related lung disease. His employer is not contesting the diagnosis itself, but instead raising questions about the latency period and the worker’s risk from the … [Read more...]
