Recent News – Smith & Griffith Legal Blog

Diesel exhaust is an occupational hazard for oil and gas workers Inherent in certain industries are conditions that pose potential hazards to workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an agency of the federal Department of Labor, sets and enforces standards and provides education and training, and South Carolina has its own OSHA plan as…

Trucking groups say hours of service rules encourage speeding Commercial vehicle accident fatalities throughout South Carolina and the rest of the country have reached levels not seen in 29 years, according to figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Some truck drivers and trucking industry groups say that federal hours of service regulations are…

Safety while driving in the sun Drivers in South Carolina and other areas of the country often face conditions when the sun can make it difficult to see the road. Many car accidents occur in the early morning hours and later in the evening because of the angle of the sun during these times. Fortunately,…

Technology aims to combat truck driver fatigue Trucking accidents can be particularly devastating to other drivers and passengers on the road in South Carolina. Due to the size and weight of semi trucks, people in other vehicles may be more likely to suffer serious injuries or even lose their lives in a crash. Because truck…

OSHA announces most common safety violations Workers in North Carolina workplaces far too frequently face unsafe conditions that could pose a serious risk to their well-being. As part of the 2018 National Safety Council Congress, a deputy director of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration presented the 10 most common workplace safety violations that the…

Halloween and the threat of drunk or reckless drivers Aside from ghosts and goblins, there are real dangers to Halloween. Among the biggest threats are drunk or reckless drivers. South Carolina residents who intend to party on Halloween or have children who will be trick-or-treating should consider the following safety tips from AAA. Based on…

OSHA kicks off trenching and excavation safety program On Oct. 1, OSHA kicked off its National Emphasis Program on trenching and excavation safety. With the NEP comes certain changes that employers in South Carolina will want to be aware of. Employers will also want to review OSHA’s Trenching and Excavation Quick Card, which lays out…

Public remain skeptical about self-driving cars Several car manufacturers have promised to introduce a fully autonomous car within the next five years, and many models currently on sale are equipped with autonomous and semi-autonomous accident prevention systems. However, the results of a recent poll conducted by the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and the…

Foot injuries on the job can be painfully damaging Workers in South Carolina may be concerned about the potential for serious foot injuries on the job. Many employees frequently lift heavy items, walk long distances or stand for lengthy periods. While each of these tasks may ordinarily seem unremarkable, workers could eventually develop disabling injuries…

NTSB lists ways to enhance motorcycle safety The National Transportation Safety Board has a report out that should be of interest to both drivers and motorcyclists in South Carolina. After studying federal crash data, the agency found that many high-risk traffic situations between the two could be avoided if drivers were better able to detect…