If your Missouri job requires you to perform repetitive motions with your hands, fingers and/or wrists, you face a high risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Typing represents the most common cause of job-related carpal tunnel syndrome, but other jobs such as those found in the construction industry that require you to constantly perform the same motions with your hands can also put you at risk.
What are the best shoes to wear on a construction site?
Personal protective gear is essential on a construction site in Missouri. Often, your gear is the only thing standing between you and a serious injury. One commonly overlooked piece of equipment is shoes. Many times, workers just wear a pair of standard boots. However, putting more attention into choosing your shoes can really help you to avoid injuries of many kinds.
Your shoes not only protect you against injuries from outside things but they also protect your body from internal issues. EHS Today explains that when your footwear is uncomfortable, your body suffers. You may have leg, foot, ankle or back pain all because you chose the wrong shoes.
First aid for fall victims
Missouri laws and federal regulations attempt to prevent falls on building sites, but no amount of preparation could possibly cover every possible risk. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and it is important to be ready for this unlikely occurrence.
Witnessing a construction accident is often stressful. Being the victim of one is even worse. Despite the emotions and adrenaline, it is often necessary to remember the importance of certain actions in order to secure the best possible future for everyone involved.
Can my employer fire me for being on workers' comp?
There are many things that could be valid grounds for termination, but your workers' compensation status would not be one of them. If your employer were to tell you that you were being fired because you were receiving benefits, they would probably be violating your rights under Missouri law.
Even if your boss were to give a different reason for firing you -- other than your workers' comp, that is -- there could be more to the story. Looking into the situation surrounding the incident could help you in multiple ways, by illuminating what you did wrong or revealing the fact that your company is trying to illegally fire you, for example.
What are the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury?
If you experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) at your place of work, chances are you have a long road to recovery ahead of you. TBI can have very serious consequences in some cases, including long-term health effects. Brainline.org explains some of these effects in greater detail, including how your life will be impacted by the injuries you've sustained.
Behavioral changes
How myths affect safety in machining
Common sense reveals that those who work with dangerous equipment are likelier to sustain injuries on the job. Statistics confirm that assumption, as areas such as manufacturing, construction, forestry and warehousing experience high injury numbers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
However, just because an occupation may be inherently hazardous does not mean industry leaders cannot reduce risk through proper measures. Government regulations supply one source of safety, yet even then, adherence does not happen. In machining, myths regarding safety standards share responsibility in noncompliance.
What is a repetitive motion injury?
Missouri residents who work in a wide range of jobs may be at risk for developing a repetitive motion injury that is related to the performing of their work duties. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one type of condition that can be experienced due to repetitive strain on an area in the wrist or hand.
WebMD.com explains that bursitis and tendinitis are the two most common forms of repetitive strain or repetitive motion injuries. A bursa is essentially a fluid-filled sac that cushions the friction point between a tendon and a bone. When it becomes agitated and bursitis develops, it will swell and a person may even notice a reduced range of motion in the area. Manual labor is said to be one contributing factor to bursitis.
When is amputation necessary?
If you have a severe injury to an extremity, the doctor may suggest amputation. Unless it is an emergency situation, the doctor will generally consult with you beforehand and get your consent to do the surgery. It is always a good idea to be informed and to know why the doctor is making this recommendation. It also can help to reassure you that this is really a necessary procedure.
To begin with, amputations are something that are often done as a last resort. According to WebMD, they generally only occur if you have a situation where there is damage to the arteries, death of tissue or an infection that will not get better with treatment. Amputations are typically performed to prevent the spread of infection or necrosis to healthy surrounding tissues, preventing further loss of viable tissue and even loss of life. In fact, in many instances an amputation is a lifesaving operation.
Permanent partial and total disability: What is the difference?
If you get injured at work in Missouri, you have the right to seek benefits from workers' compensation. These benefits are typically decided based on your injury and the impact it has on your ability to work now and in the future. The length of your benefits relies on which type of disability workers' compensation determines you have. Two of those options are permanent partial and permanent total.
Permanent partial disability, according to the Department of Labor, is any injury that prevents you from doing some of your previous work tasks but does not prevent you from working in another position or job. This means you probably will not be able to return to your previous job, but you will be able to work again in the future. You could qualify for benefits paid at 66.66 percent of your average weekly wages before you were injured. You may be able to settle for a lump sum payment instead of getting payments over time.
How does a hard hat provide protection?
One of the standard pieces of safety equipment on every construction site is the hard hat. If you work in construction in Missouri, wearing a hard hat should be second nature to you. You should slip the hat on before you enter the work zone and only remove it when you get your vehicle to go home at night. However, some workers see hard hats as a nuisance. Those people are putting themselves at great risk.
According to Safety and Health, hard hats offer amazing protection against serious head injuries that could cause severe effects and even death. There were 1020 death in 2012 alone due to head injuries on worksites. That is why hard hats should be worn all the time when in a construction zone.
