Workplace Injuries

• Iowa Workers' Compensation - PERC - Part X - Drycleaning Machinery Maintenance

  Steve Lombardi | February 11, 2008 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  If maintenance is being ignored or improperly performed the drycleaning workers exposures to PERC may be increased. Machine Maintenance - Real-time evaluation of drycleaning machine maintenance showed that exposures during maintenance were less than exposures during loading/unloading or transfer. Maintenance activities that were evaluated included cleaning the drycleaning machine's lint trap,...

• Iowa Workers' Compensation - PERC - Part IX - Drycleaning Waterproofing

  Steve Lombardi | February 10, 2008 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  This is a high risk exposure job. Obviously you have to know what personal protective equipment is used, whether maintained and if properly fitted. Look at the equipment, examine it, don't assume it all works as expected or intended. Waterproofing - Clients will know if the drycleaner where they work offers this service, if they perform waterproofing and how they do it. This same type of process...

• Iowa Workers' Compensation - PERC - Part VIII - Drycleaning Wearing the Right Protective Equipment

  Steve Lombardi | February 09, 2008 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  There is much ado made about "regulations" and how it makes lowers our competitiveness worldwide. Perhaps that is true, but there is a hidden cost to ignoring working environment safety. Medical costs for illnesses will certainly increase. There is no free lunch with safety. Personal Protective Equipment - This is the workers first line of defense. But just having personal protective equipment...

• Iowa Workers' Compensation - PERC - Controlling Exposure - Part VII

  Steve Lombardi | February 08, 2008 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  Material substitution, isolation of activities, machine design, proper maintenance, ventilation and work practices are the six ways to control exposure to PERC. Control of Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Commercial Drycleaning - Perchloroethylene (PERC) is the most commonly used drycleaning solvent so unless you know otherwise assume that is the chemical being used. We know from the previous...

• Iowa Workers' Compensation - PERC Part VI - Exposure to Spotting

  Steve Lombardi | February 07, 2008 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  Drycleaner workers need to protect themselves by knowing the signs, symptoms and illnesses that drycleaning chemicals can cause. Exposure to Spotting Chemicals - What I would suggest is that if you work at a drycleaner business and have any of the conditions discussed below that you assume you're being exposed to solvents and see a doctor. After you receive a medical opinion then consider filing...

• Crane collapses not as rare as one might hope.

  Steve Lombardi | February 06, 2008 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  San Franciso, CA - A 300-ft tower crane collapsed onto the intersection of two major streets in downtown San Francisco during the morning rush hour. The accident fatally injured four crew members on the crane and a bus driven on the street below. Twenty-two pedestrians were also injured by falling crane pieces or flying debris.Seattle Washington - "The biggest issue for discussion was probably...

• Iowa Workers' Compensation - PERC Part V - Drycleaning Worker Ventilation

  Steve Lombardi | February 06, 2008 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  The key to avoiding PERC is don't breath the vapors. Know the shop you work in and how air flow is maintained. Obviously you need to keep filters clean.Ventilation - Most of the shops studied had inadequate local and general ventilation systems to control worker exposures. Local ventilation can be used to reduce inhalation exposure during a variety of tasks, such as loading/unloading the...

• Iowa Workers' Compensation - PERC Drycleaning Workers Part IV

  Steve Lombardi | February 05, 2008 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  PERC exposure of drycleaner workers can be a health hazard. You should know the risks, symptoms associated with exposure and how it can affect your brain, nervous system, internal organs and long term health.Perchloroethylene (PERC) is the most commonly used drycleaning solvent. PERC can enter the body through respiratory and dermal exposure. Symptoms associated with exposure include: depression...

• Iowa Workers' Compensation - Part III - PERC - Potential Hazards

  Steve Lombardi | February 04, 2008 12:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  Potential Hazards - Perchloroethylene (PERC) - In the U.S. PERC is the most commonly used drycleaning solvent and is also occasionally used as a spotting agent. PERC can enter the human body through both respiratory and dermal exposure. Although nonflammable, if PERC is heated sufficiently, thermal decomposition will result in the formation of hydrogen chloride and phosgene gases. Symptoms...

• Iowa Construction Law - Iowa man died - Crain Collapse

  Steve Lombardi | February 03, 2008 1:00 PM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  Reports concerning a construction site accident are circulating. Omaha - Sioux City -A Glenwood, Iowa man died Saturday after being injured when a crane at a gas pipeline construction site in Pacific Junction collapsed and crushed him.This is the type of case that involves both workers' compensation and the general personal injury area of Iowa construction law. The employee worked for WHC Inc....