Rancho Mirage Workers' Compensation Law Blog

The National Fire Protection Association reports that the average number of on-duty deaths of firefighters in California and across the country has remained steady at 70 per year, although the number was below 70 through the past five years. Some of the incidents in which firefighters suffered fatal workplace injuries in 2018 include two wildfires in which four firefighters died and a collapsing floor in a structure fire that claimed two more lives. Two fatalities occurred in a crash when firefighters responded to an automobile accident.

However, the average reported number of on-duty deaths does not include indirect loss of lives among firefighters. Studies by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health indicate that these workers face multiple workplace hazards that can lead to chronic illnesses. The primary risks include cardiovascular conditions and cancer, both of which have claimed the lives of many firefighters.

Following warnings of high temperatures in California by the National Weather Service, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health reminded employers of their responsibility to protect workers from known hazards. Having a prevention plan to prevent heat-related workplace injuries is one of the requirements included in the Cal/OSHA safety standards. By assessing each employee's level of risk based on his or her duties and exposure to heat, appropriate steps can prevent heat illness.

Among those most vulnerable are workers in the construction injury, along with agricultural workers and landscapers. Other at-risk workers are groundskeepers, security guards and others who spend significant parts of their workdays outdoors. Delivery truck drivers and other transportation employees who spend most of their work hours in vehicles that are not air-conditioned can also be overcome by heat exhaustion.

From June 17 to June 21, safety authorities will reinforce the importance of compliance with trench-related safety regulations. During the Trench Safety Stand Down, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will remind employers and employees of the potential hazards that could cause severe or fatal construction workers' accidents. The agency reports that more than 50 lives are lost in trench collapses nationwide each year, including California.

Trench collapses are the primary hazards that can be prevented by implementing systems that involve sloping, shoring or shielding. The designated competent person must determine the method to be used after evaluating soil stability, weather conditions and more. Toxic atmospheres in trenches with depths exceeding four feet has claimed many lives, and frequent testing for harmful gases or oxygen depletion is crucial. If necessary, workers must be equipped with properly fitted respirators.

No one should be exposed to conditions that are so unsanitary that workers are infected with bacteria that cause typhoid fever. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health issued a fine that exceeds $5,000 after inspecting workplace conditions to which Los Angeles Police Department officers were exposed. Reportedly, some officers were diagnosed with Salmonella Typhi. The investigation took place last November, and their medical expenses will likely be covered by workers' compensation claims.

LAPD officers have to deal with the risks of being injured or shot while they are out trying to keep the city streets safe. They also have to deal with exposure to rats, trash and other hazards while working in unsanitary encampments. Cal/OSHA says employers are responsible for the health and safety of employees, and as a part of that duty, workers must be informed about potential hazards, how to recognize the risks and how to protect themselves.