Hotel staff members play an important role in Wilmington’s booming travel industry, but they face several risks as they go about their daily duties. It is up to each hotel to implement a safety plan that puts workers’ needs first. Relaying the protocol during training and again throughout the course of employment can help to ensure that everyone remains as safe as possible.

One of the most grueling job duties in the hospitality industry is housekeeping. These individuals face some very real hazards that can become critical. Even though this is a competitive industry, there is never an excuse to put guest comfort before employee safety.

Daily cleaning hazards

Just the basic task of cleaning a hotel room can lead to serious issues. One hazard has to do with the products used to clean. Bathroom cleaner and similar cleaning agents can cause respiratory conditions and skin irritation.

The material safety data sheets must be available for each chemical. This gives workers who have to use them the ability to minimize risks.

During the cleaning of the rooms, workers might be exposed to bodily fluids and unknown substances. They should have gloves and other personal protective equipment. In fact, wearing gloves when changing out bedsheets and towels might be a good idea.

Additional tasks

Sometimes, housekeepers have to flip mattresses or move them around in a room. This can lead to muscle injuries if the lifting isn’t handled properly. Heavy cleaning, which might involve moving furniture, can lead to serious musculoskeletal injuries. These additional tasks might also lead to stress when the management doesn’t plan proper time for them to get done.

Risk of violence and harassment

These workers face the risk of violence from unhappy guests. They can also be subjected to harassment. These situations must be covered by hotel policies so all workers know that they don’t have to deal with these types of issues while they are working. It must be clear that they need to report the issues, and steps must be taken to address the problems when they creep up.

Injured hotel workers have the same rights to workers’ compensation as people in other industries. This includes being covered to receive medical care to treat injuries. Workers who have to take time off work to heal may also be eligible for partial wage replacement while they are off.

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Now that the holiday season is here, anyone on the road needs to ensure that they are aware of the signs of a drunk driver. If you spot someone who you suspect is driving under the influence of alcohol, try to stay away from them. This might be challenging; however, it could help you remain safe on the road.

There are several signs that a driver might be impaired. These include behaviors like swerving between lanes, driving off the road, stopping in the middle of the traffic lane, failing to obey traffic signals or tailgating. Some impaired drivers won’t turn their headlights on once it gets dark outside. Others might straddle the centerline, accelerate quickly, drive too fast or too slowly and drive against traffic. All of these behaviors are dangerous and put innocent people in danger of being struck.

One thing that you should do if you see a driver who might be drunk is to report them to the police department. Try to have a passenger in your vehicle do this or use a hands-free device so that you can avoid becoming distracted. Don’t try to match the driver’s actions. You might only be able to relay a make, model and color along with the route of travel and the direction when you contact the police.

It isn’t always possible to avoid a drunk driver. If you are struck by an impaired individual, contact emergency services so that you can have the police and an ambulance come out. You might opt to pursue a claim for compensation for the damages that you suffered, but you need to do this before the time limit for filing expires.

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Commercial trucks are several times taller, longer and heavier than even the largest passenger vehicles on the road. That means that they create unique concerns for the people driving them. Commercial truck drivers have to go through special educational programs to safely manage large commercial trucks, and standard driving school usually includes lessons on sharing the road safely.

As someone in a passenger vehicle, you want to avoid getting into a collision with a commercial truck, as their size makes it highly likely that you will suffer devastating injuries or catastrophic property damage. Knowing how to stay out of the big blind spots around a commercial truck can help keep you safe.

Pay attention when driving close to commercial trucks

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) advises that all drivers avoid the blind spots around big trucks. Even with large mirrors, the drivers may not see you if you drive too close to the truck.

You want to leave at least 20 feet between the back of your vehicle and the front of a commercial truck at all times. Remember, they take much longer to stop than smaller vehicles do, and take extra care when merging in front of a truck.

You also want to make sure there are at least 30 feet between the front of your vehicle and the back of a commercial truck in case either of you needs to stop quickly, as underride crashes often prove fatal for the person in the smaller vehicle.

Finally, you want to avoid driving directly to the left of the trailer attached to the truck, as well as in the two lanes directly to the right of the truck. By avoiding these areas, you reduce the potential for a crash.

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People typically assume that working in an office setting is pretty safe. While it is true that these workers don’t have a lot of the same hazards as construction workers or others who have manual labor to handle, there are still some risks that office workers face that must be addressed.

Even in an office, there is sometimes lifting that must be done. This might be picking up a case of paper or other office supplies. In order to do this safely, you have to ensure that the object isn’t too heavy to lift alone. If it is heavy or bulky, you should get someone else in the office to help you lift it.

When you do have to pick something up, make sure that you use your legs and not your back. This helps to protect your back and could prevent considerable pain. If you are getting the item from the floor, be sure to squat down to pick it up. Trying to lift something by bending over puts all the weight on your back.

You also need to watch for other hazards in the office. This includes trip hazards like cords on the floor or loose carpeting. Falls are a big source of injury for people who work in office spaces. When you fall, you run the risk of hitting your head or back on something, which would increase the chance that you suffer a serious injury.

Even if you are as careful as possible, there is a chance that you will have an office accident that causes injuries. Remember, workers’ compensation is here to help you in those cases. You may receive medical benefits and partial wage replacement, as well as specific other benefits when you file your claim.

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People who ride motorcycles understand that safety must remain a priority while they are on the roads. It is imperative that they don’t do things that might lead to them having accidents, but bikers can’t control every potential hazard that they face. Other drivers are a huge risk for people who are on motorcycles.

The weather here lately hasn’t been conducive to riding, but that doesn’t mean that motorcycle enthusiasts are staying off the roads. Some choose to ride even though it is colder than normal, and they might also decide to head out when wintry precipitation is expected. For this reason, all drivers must ensure they remain vigilant as they traverse the state.

One way that motorcyclists can improve their safety is by matching their speed to the conditions on the roads. If the roads are wet or slick because of rain, snow or ice, you shouldn’t try to speed. In fact, those are conditions that require you to dial back how fast you go. It is usually better to drive a bit slower than the speed limit if you have any doubts about the road conditions.

Motorcyclists should ensure they are wearing proper safety gear, including a helmet. When they are out on the roads, having the lights illuminated on the bike can also help to improve safety. This is especially important if the weather is dreary or it is darker than normal outside. If you drive from dusk to dawn, be sure that you keep the lights on, and consider wearing gear with reflective properties to help increase the chance other drivers will see you.

If a motorcyclist is injured in a crash, they might choose to seek compensation for the injuries they suffer. This can help them reduce the financial impact the incident has on them.

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Most people know that wearing a seat belt is the law, but what they might not realize is that there is a chance that this life-saving feature could cause injuries. The seat belt stops your body from flying around the vehicle, and possibly out of it, if there is a crash.

Occupants of vehicles have to realize that the benefits of wearing a seat belt far outweigh the hazards of not wearing one. The risk of having it on comes from the impact of your body pushing against it when the vehicle comes to an abrupt stop.

Some of the more common injuries that can come from a seat belt include things like whiplash, bruising, chest injuries, abdominal injuries and internal bleeding. The higher impact the crash, the more likely the occupants are going to suffer injuries related to the seat belt.

One factor that can also impact the severity of the injury is how the seat belt is worn. If it isn’t put in the correct position, internal injuries might occur. For example, pregnant women should wear the lap belt over the hips. If she is in an accident and it is over the abdomen, the force can lead to a placental abruption, which is life-threatening to her and the baby.

If you are injured in an accident, you might choose to seek compensation. If the injury is from a seat belt, determining what happened is a priority. You can seek compensation from the party who struck you, but you might also be able to launch a product liability claim if the seat belt was defective.

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Manual labor takes a toll on the body. Workers in the construction industry, those who have a warehouse position, and individuals in similar positions are at risk of a back injury. Around 30% of construction workers suffer from an injury to the back or spine that requires them to miss work.

To minimize the chance of construction workers and other laborers suffering from these injuries, employers and employees need at least a basic understanding of what can lead to them. Setting protocol to keep the risks minimal is imperative for all companies that have workers who might suffer injuries.

Why are these workers at an increased risk of back injuries?

Physical laborers are often responsible for heavy lifting. This sometimes involves having to twist, bend or reach when they have those objects in their arms. This can lead to a strain on the back. There is also the possibility of having to wear a heavy tool belt that puts pressure on the lower back.

Many of these jobs require the worker to move in unnatural positions, such as a plumber who has to stoop down to reach lower pipes and overstretching the back to reach overhead pipes. Many of these motions are repetitive, which puts even more strain on the back.

What can they do to reduce these risks?

One of the most important ways that these workers can minimize the chance of suffering a back injury is to wear an appropriate brace. Workers should also stretch before starting work so that the back is ready to handle the day’s tasks. There should also be protocol in place that establishes limits for solo lifts. When items are heavy or bulky, the worker should get help from another worker or from an assistive lifting device.

What happens when workers experience back pain?

Some back pain might seem minor. However, repetitive motion injuries often start out this way. You have to be sure to report any back pain to your employer so you can get medical care. No worker should try to continue with a shift if they are experiencing back pain. It is especially important to get care if you fell or had another accident that contributed to the problem.

Workers’ compensation coverage does apply to workers who suffer from a back injury. This enables them to get medical care and to receive partial wage replacement benefits if they are off work for a while, ensuring that you get the benefits you are entitled to receive. This can sometimes take appeals, so be prepared to fight for what you’re due.

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The logging industry comes with several hazards for workers, but these can usually be minimized by the employers if they establish proper safety protocols. The rate of fatalities in this industry is 23 times higher than the rate for all workers in this country.

The greatest hazards for them are falling objects and being caught in or between objects. These accounted for around 59% of all fatalities. In 90% of those cases, the falling object was a limb, log, tree or snag. These are also the factors that can lead to catastrophic injuries on the job site.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has standards in place to help keep workers safe. The employers must ensure that they have everything in order for compliance. Some of the most recent changes to these standards include:

• Establishing felling procedures for various situations.
• Setting the standards for protective equipment.
• Requiring first aid training and other job training for employees.
• Outlining requirements for protective structures and rollovers.

While employees must follow the proper procedures exactly, it is up to the employer to get them established and ensure compliance. One way to do this is to have inspections throughout the job site. This gives supervisors a chance to make changes to the day’s duties and methods based on any unsafe situations that are present.

Workers who suffer injuries in this industry might have extensive medical care needs, which come at a considerable cost. Seeking compensation can help them receive the care they need. They may also access other benefits like partial wage replacement that can assist them during this time.

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There are many hazards that construction workers face on a daily basis, including electrocution, which is one of the four most fatal types of accidents. People who work in the construction industry are approximately four times more likely to suffer an electrocution than those in other industries.

While the percentage of workers who die from electrocutions is relatively low, there are still too many workers dying from this often-preventable cause. Employers must have a clear plan to help prevent electrocutions from occurring on job sites.

Temporary power is a big problem

Many construction sites don’t have permanent power. The use of temporary power comes with an increased risk of electrocution. Whether the job relies on temporary lines from the main power line or generators, anyone who is working at the site must know where these live sources of electricity are located and how to avoid them. All live sources should have marking to alert everyone of that status so nobody assumes they aren’t connected to a power source.

When temporary lines are necessary, they must be secured in a way that won’t allow them to come into contact with water. This might be a challenge on some job sites, but the contractor must find a suitable method to make this happen. Another way to improve safety is to de-energize any unused electrical circuits so they aren’t the cause of an electrocution.

Improper lockout/tagout is unacceptable

Failing to use appropriate lockout/tagout procedures is another issue that can lead to electrocution. When any equipment isn’t functioning properly or requires maintenance, remove the power source from the item. Take the proper steps to verify that there isn’t any power to it. Once you verify this, use a tagout or lockout device to ensure that nobody will accidentally reconnect to it. After the maintenance or repair is complete, take the proper steps to reconnect the equipment and get it back online.

Multiple contractors increase the risk

When contractors and subcontractors are all working on the same project, the risk of deaths and accidents go up. The issue here is that the subcontractors might not practice the same safety standards as the general contractors. These individuals must be trained on proper work practices around electricity so they can reduce the risk of being electrocuted.

If a worker is shocked by a high voltage current, they can suffer from catastrophic injuries. Some may pass away from the injury. Workers who survive and the family members of ones who perish will likely qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. It is imperative to handle this as quickly as possible after the incident because there are time limits in place.

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Car wrecks lead to many types of injuries, including fractures. These occur when one of the bones in the body is broken or cracked as a result of pressure put on them. This is an injury that is usually noticed at the accident site because it causes intense pain in the area of the break. You might also notice discoloration, and the bone might poke through the skin in more serious breaks.

The violent force of a crash can break even the largest bones in the body. Broken legs, including the femur, are common in car wrecks. It is also possible to break the neck or spinal cord, the pelvis, the arms and the clavicle.

The breastbone might also fracture, which can put some of your internal organs at risk of damage. This type of break is usually due to the body flinging forward and being stopped by the seat belt.

Skull fractures are also possible, and these are usually very serious. There is a good chance that the brain might have suffered damage in the crash. These fractures aren’t always easily noticed because there may not be any visible signs and a headache could be the only symptom.

A victim of a car wreck who has severe pain in an area might undergo a medical evaluation to determine what’s going on. This can include imaging scans, such as an x-ray or a CT scan. You may see an orthopedic doctor or surgeon who can evaluate the injury to let you know what needs to be done. This might involve surgery and wearing a cast.

The cost of medical care and the time you take off work might be costly. Seeking compensation for these could help you to recoup those damages, as well as others you might face.

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