Key Points of This Article: There are more than 30,000 lost-time workplace injury reports filed in Kentucky each year, according to the Kentucky Labor Cabinet. The majority of injury events are related to falls, slips and trips, overexertion and bodily reaction, and contact with equipment. Many workplace safety violations occur year-after-year despite a push for... read more
What You’ll Learn From Reading This Article In 2017, there were more than 30,000 lost-time workplace injury reports filed in Kentucky, many caused by falls or slips, lifting and strains. Nursing and residential care facility employees, and those working in correctional institutions, transportation and trade, natural resources and mining carry the highest workplace injury and... read more
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
