News

The operator of a specialty frozen pizza manufacturing plant in Illinois could have prevented the death of a 29-year-old sanitation worker by following proper machine safety procedures, a federal investigation has found. Inspectors with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration learned the sanitation worker suffered fatal injuries while working on the overnight shift under the supervision…

A 29-year-old worker suffered the amputation of a fingertip while reassembling a pump at a Hostess Brands LLC facility in Chicago, an injury the employer could have prevented by ensuring to shut down and lockout the equipment to prevent it from unexpectedly starting during maintenance, a U.S. Department of Labor investigation found. Inspectors with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health…

As information about long COVID evolves, workers compensation experts are watching how clinical changes and statistics may impact compensability for workers who continue to struggle with the disease’s effects. Last week, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California released data showing that in 2020 and 2021, comp claims involving treatment for long COVID symptoms were four times more likely…

An Illinois specialty frozen pizza manufacturer has been issued $2.8 million in proposed fines by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration after a worker died while cleaning company machinery. OSHA on Thursday announced it cited Gurnee-based Miracapo Pizza Co. for 16 willful egregious violations, one willful violation and 12 serious violations after a temporary worker died during a December…

An Illinois roofing contractor who still owes $31,163 in outstanding workplace safety penalties has again been cited and hit with additional fines after the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration says its inspectors found the company continues to expose workers to fall hazards. OSHA announced Tuesday that it cited Fairmont City-based JZ Exteriors and Repairs LLC for five repeat violations,…