Category: Workers’ Compensation

Warehouse workers in Illinois face a range of physical risks on the job. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the rate of fatal injury in the warehousing industry is considerably higher than the corresponding rate in other industries. While some warehouse accidents are unpreventable, many others can be avoided with proper policies and safety procedures.

Baggage handling can be a dangerous job. Airline employees spend many hours a day grasping, lifting, moving and adjusting heavy luggage. These activities can lead to severe workplace injuries. According to a study sponsored by the Flight Safety Foundation, more than 70 percent of baggage handlers have faced some degree of pain or impairment because of their job. By learning more about common injuries and strategies to avoid them, Illinois baggage handlers can decrease their chance of injury.

Illinois police officers witness many traumatic events on the job, especially when they work in urban areas. They face the aftermath of murders, rapes, robberies and other violent crimes. Even well-trained police officers can suffer severe consequences from what they see on the streets. In some cases, officers are rendered unable to work by job-related post-traumatic stress disorder.

A lack of physical health creates occupational hazards for Illinois law enforcement officers. Studies show that those who are overweight are more likely to experience work injuries. Engaging in a total fitness and wellness program has proven effective for reducing injuries while improving job performance, overall health, and longevity after retirement. In spite of this evidence, the average officer’s level of fitness is lower than that of the average U.S. civilian.

Railroad workers are in an unusually hazardous industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the fatal injury rate for rail transportation workers employed by railroads was twice that of the all-industry rate. In 2013, the Federal Railroad Administration’s Office of Safety Analysis reports that there were 7,627 incidents, which included 468 fatalities. An incident involves any event causing a work-related illness, an injury, or a fatality to a railroad employee.