Greensboro Workers' Compensation And Personal Injury Blog

OSHA safety codes are designed to prevent workplace accidents in North Carolina and throughout the country. These rules normally focus on a specific task per rule, such as the height of an electrical outlet from the floor. But a new rule takes a more comprehensive approach to the workplace.

National Fire Prevention Association Rule 70E focuses on a work zone rather than a single task. The rule was created pursuant to a request from OSHA to help eliminate electrical hazards. It is not a single rule, but a series of rules. It focuses on setting up, implementing and management of a work zone.

Employers in North Carolina should make sure that their electrical systems are working properly. If not, employees could incur catastrophic injuries, some of which could be fatal. A lack of proper grounding or bonding systems could also result in downtime concerns that could put companies at a competitive disadvantage. If the downtime occurs in a 911 call center or other emergency facility, it could put the entire community at risk. To prevent this from happening, it is important to comply with the National Electrical Code.

Ideally, businesses and emergency centers will go above and beyond those requirements. This is because it is not always the best or easiest system to employ. Therefore, it should be seen as a starting point to keep electrical damage to a minimum. It is similar to how meeting OHSA safety requirements should be a starting point as opposed to an end goal. In many cases, upgrades are relatively affordable, and they can save money in the long run as well. For example, some buildings can be made safer simply by changing out existing wires for new ones.

Drivers who text while behind the wheel in North Carolina can be fined $100, but they are assessed no driver's license points and face no auto insurance surcharges. Road safety advocates say that penalties like this do little to deter behavior that is thought to be a major factor in surging traffic accident fatalities. Figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggest that distracted driving accidents claimed 3,450 lives in 2016, but advocacy groups believe that the problem is underreported and the true death toll is actually much higher.

The reason that distraction may be underreported is because the behavior leaves no obvious clues for law enforcement. Lawmakers in Nevada are debating whether a device known as a textalyzer could provide such evidence. The device plugs into a cellphone and reveals whether a driver was swiping or typing when they crashed.

Car accidents are disorienting. Suddenly you're worried over potential injuries, repair costs, insurance, getting to work and more. In this flurry of questions and confusion, it can be challenging to focus on the important steps you need to take.

In the aftermath of a car accident, follow these four steps to ensure you are within your legal rights.