Hispanic Construction Workers Have Greater Risk of Dying

According to a new study from the Center for Construction Research and Training, construction workers in the United States have a large risk of work-related injuries and an increased risk of work-related illness and death.

Researchers peered over data from several national sources and discovered that a construction worker has a 75 percent chance of suffering a disabling injury over a 45-year career, and a 1-in-200 risk of being fatally injured at work. (WCxKit)

Meantime, Hispanic construction workers have a 20 percent greater risk of dying from a work-related injury than whites.

The authors of the study also discovered that people who begin construction work at age 20 have a 15 percent chance of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease over their lifetime and an 11 percent chance of developing dust-related changes to the lung tissue.

"While great strides have been made in reducing construction injuries and illnesses, the numbers are still stubbornly high," Pete Stafford, executive director of CPWR, commented in an APHA news release. (WCxKit)

"Workers and their families suffer the consequences of disabling injuries, and this research shows it's far too common. So we must continue to raise awareness of the problems and hope to see our research findings put to use to reduce construction fatalities, injuries and illnesses," Stafford added.

Nova Scotia Labor Department Charges Employer Following Death

Nova Scotia's Labor Department has laid charges following an 18 month investigation into the death of a 12-year-old boy who was run over by a truck in Cape Breton.

According to information from the NSLD, Dylan LeBlanc of Cheticamp was killed while riding his bicycle near a local inn that was being renovated in August 2010. The boy was hit and run over by a boom truck. (WCxKit)

Labor Department spokesman Brian Taylor reports charges were laid recently against 5823 NWT Ltd., the company that owns Maison Fiset House, and project manager Darren MacPhee.

Taylor says the company has been charged with failing to take every reasonable precaution to ensure the health and safety of people at the workplace and failing to take adequate precautions to ensure pedestrian safety.

He says MacPhee is charged with failing to take reasonable precautions to ensure health and safety at or near the project.

Taylor says a third person who has not been named by officials is also charged, but that person has not been served notice yet. (WCxKit)

Those charged are to appear in provincial court in the spring in Port Hood, N.S

Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He is an editor and contributor to Workers Compensation Management Program: Reduce Costs 20% to 50%. Contact: Info@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com.

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