Recent News – Smith & Griffith Legal Blog

The dangers of hazardous energy in the workplace South Carolina workers may not be aware of the dangers of hazardous energy, which can occur when various machines or equipment are unexpectedly started or release stored energy during maintenance. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, there are several million workers at risk for hazardous…

An overview of excavation and trenching dangers Although South Carolina workers in trenching and excavation jobs may be aware of the dangers that they face, it is good to review safety standards periodically to ensure that the best practices are in play on an ongoing basis. The major areas contributing to serious injuries in these…

Volvo aims to make death-proof vehicles Many of the car accidents that take place in South Carolina and around the country could be avoided if cars were equipped with autonomous technologies, according to some car manufacturers. Recently, automaker Volvo announced that it had plans to create a ‘death-proof” car by the year 2020. Using a…

Top causes of disabling workplace injuries South Carolina workers in all different types of occupations can be injured due to overexerting themselves. According to the 2016 Workplace Safety Index that was released by Liberty Mutual on Jan. 14, overexertion tops the list of common causes of disabling workplace injuries. The second most common cause was…

Just a few inches of snow can make roads treacherous South Carolina motorists rarely encounter significant accumulations of ice or snow, but they can turn the winter months into an ordeal for drivers in areas of the country with less forgiving climates. While it is well known that blizzard conditions can make driving very dangerous,…

In 2015, mine deaths fell to new lows A January 2016 report from the Mine Safety and Health Administration may be of interest to some people in South Carolina. The report looked at the number of mine deaths that occurred in 2015 and showed that they have reached levels that are historically low. According to…

Dangers of keyless ignition systems and carbon monoxide A feature that is often touted to sell new cars to people in South Carolina is a keyless ignition system. While these systems are popular, they also bring hidden dangers about which people should be aware. Unlike keyed ignition systems, keyless systems do not automatically shut off…

Ways employers and insurance companies minimize costs When South Carolina workers are injured on the job, it is important for them to understand some of the tactics their employer and the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier may take. It is common for both employers and insurance companies to try to either dispute claims or minimize…

Reports draw attention to work-related illnesses Many workers in South Carolina fall ill after they are exposed to toxic substances on the job. According to government statistics, around 50,000 workers in the United States die each year because of work-related illnesses. In comparison, gun violence kills about 30,000 people each year. While shooting deaths draw…

Self-driving cars having problems interacting with regular cars South Carolina drivers may want to be on the lookout for self-driving cars on the roads, as recent statistics have reported higher rates of accidents for them than for human drivers. Reportedly, all of the problems that have come to light so far have been minor. Statistics…