Slips, trips, and falls (STFs) are a leading cause of workplace injuries year round, and in winter the dangers increase. Icy sidewalks, frost-heaved walk surfaces, wet entryways, and dark stairwells all contribute to potential STFs. Property owners and employers can both be held liable for injuries that occur on the premises or while working, especially…
Nearly 2.9 million non-fatal workplace injuries occurred in the most recent year reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Another 4,836 workplace incidents resulted in a fatality in the same year. That’s approximately 3 out of every 100 full-time employees who were harmed on the job. Obviously, none of us wants to put even one…
Despite being outlawed in 1978, lead-based paint continues to be the main way people in the U.S. become exposed to lead. Lead exposure causes a variety of health problems, including behavioral disorders, seizures, and death. Children under the age of 6 are most at risk, but even adults can suffer health consequences. It’s no wonder,…
It’s common to think that only the owners of old houses have to worry about lead paint. Unfortunately, that’s simply not true. Anyone who works in the renovation, repair, or painting industry needs to understand the hazards of lead paint and how to protect themselves and their employees as well as the building occupants. This…
No property owner wants to hear that one of their buildings has a mold problem. Unfortunately, any building can be susceptible under the right conditions. All a mold outbreak needs is moisture, warmth, and organic matter to grow on. Moisture can be caused by a natural disaster, a leaky pipe, or even simply excess humidity…
In the aftermath of the Houston flooding and the havoc wreaked by Irma, water damage is on everyone’s mind. And with water damage, comes mold growth. In fact, you don’t have to be hit by a hurricane to run into a mold problem. Even a small-scale issue such as a window leak or a dripping…
Everybody knows that air pollution is bad for your health. Many cities issue air quality alerts to encourage people to stay indoors on poor outdoor air quality days. But that may not always be the best advice, as indoor air quality can often be worse in summer than the smog. In fact, according to the…
More than 900 workers die on construction job sites annually, and many more are injured, often seriously. By far, the leading cause of injuries on construction sites is falling. Falling accidents cause more than 350 construction worker deaths each year. Unless you are meticulous in your fall protection standards, it’s likely that your job sites…
A March report from the CDC shows that people are still dying in large numbers from a building-related threat most people think belongs to history: Asbestos. According to the report, more than 45,000 people died between 1999 and 2015 from malignant mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. The EPA,…
Since the year 2000, cases of Legionnaire’s disease have risen by a stunning 286 percent. A report released by the CDC reveals one major culprit: Cooling towers. Out of 196 cooling towers tested by the CDC, 164–a whopping 84%–contained evidence that they either currently or had previously hosted the bacteria responsible for Legionnaire’s disease. More…
