Massachusetts Personal Injury And Workers' Compensation Blog

When people think of industries that pose the biggest threat to workers' safety, one that may not immediately cross their mind is aviation. While flying can certainly pose risks to everyone on board, what about the workers who manage safety protocols on the ground and are actively loading and unloading aircraft? These workers in Massachusetts face unique risks as their job requires significant physical exertion, close contact with large machinery and potentially dangerous equipment and sometimes difficult visibility. 

In a recent accident at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, a worker was killed in what coworkers said was a preventable accident created by several factors including poor visibility. An investigation showed that the man was transporting luggage and turned quickly when he spotted a piece of luggage in his path. His sudden movement caused the vehicle he was operating to overturn and he was pinned underneath. His coworkers contend that had better lighting been installed, he may have seen the luggage before it turned into an unavoidable hazard. 

Advanced technology and increased knowledge and experience have prompted advances in the medical industry that may help you and your family stay healthier. For instance, surgeons can perform operations today that no one had even heard of a few decades ago. When man's progress moves so fast, however, there's a danger of taking certain things for granted or overlooking potential risks.

If you're pregnant, you've hopefully been attending prenatal visits with a Massachusetts obstetrician or midwife who is carefully monitoring your and your baby's condition. You may have heard of people scheduling C-sections out of convenience. Most medical safety experts agree, this is not a good idea. If your doctor recommends a C-section, you have the right to question the recommendation to make sure it is medically necessary.

New technology has made it possible for drivers to operate certain functions in their vehicles by simply speaking commands. Voice-activated technology is designed to minimize manual and visual distractions by allowing drivers to perform certain tasks, such as changing the radio station, making phone calls and composing texts, by speaking. Many manufacturers have incorporated this technology into their vehicles. While voice-activated devices help to reduce manual and visual distractions, however, researchers looked into whether it helps with cognitive workload. 

In the study released by AAA, researchers asked participants to drive through a closed course while performing certain tasks using voice-activated technology. Six systems were tested in all. While drivers were engaged in the tasks, researchers measured their cognitive workload by observing reaction times, brain activity and heart rate. They also asked participants how distracted they felt while completing the study. The results showed the even while drivers could keep their hands on the steering wheel to initiate and complete tasks, their focus was taken off driving and the road. This, in turn, causes delayed reaction times and makes it difficult for drivers to respond to other hazards, such as objects in the road, bad weather conditions, other drivers, stop lights and pedestrian crosswalks. 

When teens in Massachusetts pass their road tests, they are very excited about the independence a driver’s license imparts to them. However, with that privilege also comes an enormous amount of responsibility. It is important that parents or guardians of young drivers have frequent and serious discussions with them about the best way to prevent motor vehicle accidents.

The New York Times notes that parents should model good driving behavior for their teens years before they start learning to drive. When adults consistently follow the rules of the road, including driving within the speed limit, children are able to observe the best practices for operating an automobile. Also, these behaviors need to include refraining from using a mobile device, wearing a seatbelt at all times, and never using substances such as drugs or alcohol before driving.