If inhaled in high enough concentrations for too long, hydrogen sulfide, sometimes called H2S gas, can be deadly. Although industries have exposure limits put in place by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), it is up to each individual employer to maintain the monitoring equipment and enforce proper safety protocols.
Which workers risk exposure to hydrogen sulfide?
Protections from the hazards of warehouse work
Warehouse employment has risen 90% since the year 2000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The reason, of course, is e-commerce. With this sudden surge in online business, many distributors are eager to tap into the profit stream.
Construction zone worker airlifted for medical treatment
Construction zone workers on Colorado highways will always be vulnerable. Not only does the traffic that passes through pose a risk but also the construction vehicles on site. A member of a construction crew on Highway 149 was airlifted to a hospital in Durango for medical treatment after a recent workplace accident.
ACL injuries can be painful and disabling
We hear about professional athletes suffering knee injuries all the time. These can occur when undue stress is placed on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) which connects the upper and lower parts of the leg. When the knee is twisted or bends too much, the ligament can stretch or partially tear. In severe cases, the ligament can be torn entirely. Some athletes recover from these injuries, while for others, an ACL injury marks the end of their careers.
Higher than expected rate of hearing loss for health care workers
The popular conception of hospitals, clinics and dental offices is that they are low-noise environments. But within certain health care settings, noise levels can be so high that they can lead to hearing loss among those who work there.
The violence problem faced by health care workers
Health care workers face their share of workplace job hazards that may lead to injury, most notably overexertion along with slips and falls. But one area that sometimes gets overlooked is workplace violence, which has become a major issue.
Mental conditions can increase women's risks for work injuries
It's no surprise that personal stresses from home and family life and affect one's performance on the job. Now there is evidence that a person's mental state can increase the likelihood of a work injury. That's especially the case for women, as documented in a recent study published by the Colorado School of Public Health's Center for Health, Work and Environment.
Auto maker Tesla accused of under-reporting injured workers
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was established to ensure that workplaces are safe from hazardous conditions. Along with conducting regular inspections of Colorado companies, the agency is responsible for investigating reports of injured workers who suffer illnesses or injuries during the normal course of their duties. In the event an employer is found negligent, the federal agency issues citations and fines in order to correct the deficiencies.
What is de Quervain Syndrome?
This post, we'll continue our series on repetitive stress work injuries older workers are prone to get after years on the job.
Workplace injuries stemming from violence
There are enough concerns for workers trying to do their jobs and stay safe without adding the element of assaults and other violent attacks. According to data compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there was a 20 percent increase in workplace homicides from 2015 to 2016. The 500 reported homicides represented around 10 percent of all deadly occupational incidents across the country in 2016.
