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Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton

All We Do is Injury Law

Toll-Free: 1-800-752-0042
Phone: 1-757-460-7776

PHONE: 757-460-7776
TOLL FREE: 800-752-0042

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Solutions: Preventing Amputations in Hazardous Work Areas

Richard N. Shapiro
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Rick is a Virginia injury attorney who handles car accidents, medical malpractice, FELA, wrongful death, etc.
Attorneys with our Virginia personal injury law firm handle many workplace hazard cases, some of which involve the amputation of legs, arms, hands and fingers. Although amputation injuries have been decreasing over the years, more than 6,200 work-related amputations occurred during 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Our experience representing employees injured on the job, has taught us that the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires special guarding for any machine part, function or process that may cause an injury such as cutting off a thumb to employees and operators. Three common approaches to machine guarding are using barriers, installing guarding devices and posting warnings.


A barrier guard creates a physical separation between a machine's user and the parts that can cause injuries. While effective, barrier guards are often removed because they can make using a piece of machinery inconvenient, which slows down production. The best type of barrier guard is one attached to a machine in such a way that a worker cannot removed it.


Guarding devices include mechanical or electronic control workers or supervisors can use to stop the moving parts of a machine when doing so can help prevent or limit an injury. The devices can take the form of switches that require two hands to operate, pull cords and buttons, and more than one person may have to act in order to kill a machine that presents hazard. These devices devices do not prevent workers from touching the machinery, but installing them and making sure they work properly can be essential for ensuring employees' safety.


Warnings are another important component to have on hazardous work objects. The warnings should never be the only safety precaution on the hazardous equipment, posting them in highly visible locations helps inform and remind people of workplace dangers.


Safety precautions should be taken in any area where hazardous machines are used. Doing so helps prevent serious injuries.

MC




Best Virginia Injury Attorneys Virginia Super Lawyers   

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia (VA) injury law firm whose attorneys focus exclusively on personal injury and accident law. We have a proven track record in the court room, and you can review our case results to see for yourself. We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in VA if you've been seriously hurt by the carelessness of another person or company.

Virginia injury lawyers Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been recognized as among the 
Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Shapiro and Lewis have
 also been selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009. Rick, Jim and Randy have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law (Jim since '06, Rick since '10, and Randy since '12). This is a prestigious recognition that only 5 percent of lawyers receive.

We were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Our Virginia Beach accident injury firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill. 


We also 
offer free special reports and edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard blog sites as a public information service.

Our attorneys have deep roots in Virginia and handle cases throughout the commonwealth including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton and Suffolk, VA. 


While no
t every injury case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential consultations, so call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to the high call volume, please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you shortly. 

 Virginia injury lawyer    Best Lawyers in Virginia