Rancho Mirage Workers' Compensation Law Blog

In Cupertino stands the house of pane, which is part of the new Apple Park campus. The impressive circular building consists of curved glass panes that offer an open design that seems spectacular. However, the architectural design failed to address employee safety. Some time ago, an official at the building raised concerns about the potential threat of workplace injuries if employees walked into the glass, and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health recently ordered the company to take preventative steps.

One danger area that was initially identified was the cafeteria where employees were having trouble distinguishing between the automated sliding doors and the fixed glass panes. Several workers were injured after bumping into solid glass panes, and decals were placed on the glass in that area. However, the danger remained in the rest of the building.

In 2014, legislation was enacted in California that directed the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health to establish a standard to prevent workplace violence. By April 1 of this year, all the health care employers in the state that are covered must submit plans by which they intend to protect workers from workplace injuries caused by violence. At the federal level, a similar bill was introduced by lawmakers on March 8 requiring the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to oversee the creation of unit-specific violence prevention programs nationwide.

Rep. Ro Khanna, from California, introduced the bill in the House of Representatives. He says doctors, nurses and other health care workers are always at risk of being punched, kicked and strangled, or subjected to other violent attacks. These violent incidents often result in serious injuries and even death. The prevention plans must address specific incidents of violence as well as threats so that issues can be addressed immediately.

Employees of landscaping companies in California often put their lives on the line. Not only do tree trimmers work at dangerous heights, but they are also exposed to the hazards posed by equipment such as chainsaws, wood chippers and other machines. Employers must prevent workplace accidents by protecting the health and safety of employees, and an essential part of that responsibility is providing adequate safety training.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health will likely launch an investigation into the recent death of a tree trimmer. According to an incident report, an emergency call was received by the San Jose Fire Department shortly after 1:30 p.m. on a recent Monday. Emergency workers and firefighters arrived at the scene to find a landscaper that had been electrocuted.

The restaurant industry in California, just like most other sectors, poses its own unique safety hazards for employers and employees to consider. With its typical hustling and bustling of workers scurrying about to keep guests happy, many workplace injuries that occur involve the floor. Spills on the floors of restaurants are not unusual, especially in the kitchens.

Safety authorities say a significant number of slips and trips lead to days off work among restaurant workers every year. The typical heat and condensation, along with accidental spills, cause restaurant floors to be damp almost all the time. Add to those hazards the prevalence of sharp tools in this environment, and the consequences of falls can be devastating.