Synopsis Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly referred to as black lung disease, is an illness caused by inhaling respirable coal mine dust such as silica. Monthly benefits are available to coal miners disabled by black lung disease and financial support is also awarded to survivors and family members. The Black Lung Disability Trust Fund is now at risk of being able... read more
Synopsis From 1992 through 2017, heat killed 815 workers nationally and injured another 66,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. High temperatures and extreme hot weather can trigger dangerous conditions for workers in outdoor operations, making them sick from exposure and puts them at risk of falling, or mishandling machinery and tools. The U.S.... read more
Synopsis Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace. More than 2.8 billion workers are injured on the job each year and thousands more die from work-related accidents that could have been prevented by proper trainings and protections. The top 10 most frequently cited... read more
4 Common Causes of Forklift Operator Injury or Death Forklifts are common work vehicles used by most of Kentucky’s construction and manufacturing industries. Also known as powered industrial trucks (PITS), forklifts are used most often to lift heavy loads and transport supplies and can either be operated by a trained worker or controlled by a... read more
Workplace Fatalities Dropped in 2017 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) report released on December 18, 2018, there were 43 fewer workplace fatalities in 2017 than the previous year. A rate that also decreased from 3.6 percent in 2016 to 3.5 percent in 2017 nationwide. In Kentucky, the rate... read more
Investigators & Employers Knew of Coal Miners Risk of Black Lung Disease The multiyear investigation led by NPR and the PBS program Frontline is continuing to release more information about the rise in Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (CWP), an epidemic commonly referred to as black lung disease. The groups continued their reporting on December 18, 2018 stating that... read more
Substance Abuse and Kentucky’s New Workers’ Compensation Law Workers injured on the job in Kentucky, are covered by the state’s workers’ compensation laws – with few exceptions for independent contractors, domestic workers, and most volunteers. Workers’ compensation provides injured workers with funding for medical costs, temporary disability, or permanent disability if lingering injuries or impairments... read more
Kentucky Legislation Supports Workplace Accommodations for Pregnant and Nursing Women A new bill dubbed the Kentucky Pregnant Workers’ Rights Act could make Kentucky the 24th state to require workplace accommodations like more breaks, fair treatment, and support for pregnant women and employees who are nursing. The act will ensure no pregnant woman is forced out... read more
Two Worker Deaths in One Week at Montaplast Plant in Frankfort Another worker tragedy, the second in less than a week, has occurred at the Montaplast of North America, Inc. plant in Franklin County. Initial reports say a production engineer died from an electrical shock while another worker is being treated for serious electrical injuries.... read more
Black Lung Benefits Take a Hit from State Workers’ Compensation Measure Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), also known as black lung disease, is a complicated fatal disease that has been responsible for the deaths of about 78,000 coal miners since the late 1960s. A new tweak to a Kentucky law has caused an uproar with coal... read more
