Recent News – Smith & Griffith Legal Blog

The size and safety of a vehicle People in South Carolina who are considering purchasing a new vehicle may want to factor in that its size will have a role in their safety during an accident. Generally, bigger vehicles, like trucks and SUVs, are able to endure accidents better than smaller cars. When the safety…

OSHA requires employers to provide safe working environment South Carolina workers have the right to a safe workplace under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. they also have the right to file a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration if they believe there are serious hazards in the workplace or if…

Avoiding accidents involving slow drivers While most South Carolina drivers likely know the dangers of driving too fast, they may not be aware that it can also be dangerous to drive too slow. This is because driving too slowly for the general flow of traffic can cause confusion, prevent other drivers from being able to…

Area, time, distance all impact drive safety All drives are not created equal when it comes to the statistical likelihood of a car accident. Fatal motor vehicle crashes are most likely near the home of the driver, with many South Carolina crashes happening within 25 miles of home. Part of the reason is that most…

Potential financial ramifications of chemical exposure South Carolina residents who work in plastic manufacturing plants might be exposed to dyes, lubricants and flame retardants among other liquids. They may also be exposed to acetone or other chemicals that are used in machining or to add gloss to 3D printed parts. There are many dangers that…

Mitigating risk posed by hot work Defined as an activity that produces sparks, flames or heat, hot work carries inherent risks that could lead to injury or death in some situations. South Carolina employees who are required to perform hot work may want to be aware of some of the most significant hazards and take…

Focusing on hazard reduction in the workplace Some workplaces in South Carolina and throughout the country may shift to a greater focus on preventing serious injuries and fatalities, also known as SIF programs. These programs move the focus away from the traditional approach of waiting for an accident to occur and then addressing the problem.…

Some drivers are turning off their collision avoidance systems Not all drivers in South Carolina appreciate the warning beeps of their collision avoidance systems. A researcher at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety suspects that some drivers become annoyed by the sounds meant to alert them to lane drifting or objects in their blind spots.…

Workplace Injuries related to cured-in-place pipe repairs While the cured-in-place repair process is a conventional procedure to fix water pipes in South Carolina and across the U.S., a new study says that it may not be safe for workers. Authors of the study, which was conducted through Purdue University, claim that the process should get…

Safety tips help composting workers avoid injury Composting workers in South Carolina and across the United States have some safety tips to consider on the job. The Solid Waste Association of North America has published a safety guide for composting operations employees as part of their “Five to Stay Alive” program, which seeks to address…