Saint Clair County Law Blog

Proper maintenance is required to keep the roads in Illinois in good shape for drivers. Whether there is a need to repair a road or to completely redo it, construction workers are going to have to head out to get the job done.

While many drivers think of these work zones as inconveniences, the workers who are in them are counting on those drivers to move through them in a safe manner. There isn't any reason why a driver should drive unsafely or aggressively through these areas because the laborers deserve a safe work space so they can go home to their family members after their shift.

Sorting through the Illinois workers' compensation laws can be a trying experience. There are many points in this state's system that haven't changed much since its inception early in the last century. This can make it difficult for workers who count on the coverage and for the employers shoehorning the job descriptions and requirements.

Many aspects of the current system are still geared toward the types of accidents that occurred during the Industrial Revolution. As time has evolved, safety has improved for jobs in manufacturing and other areas. Unfortunately, the same isn't true for many of the points that are found in the workers' compensation laws. This can actually put workers in danger.

Do you work in an industry in which you use a ladder on what seems like a daily basis? While this basic tool can make life easier on you, it's also extremely dangerous if you're not careful 100 percent of the time.

There are many minor mistakes that can lead to a serious ladder accident at work. Here are some of the things you should try to avoid at all costs:

• Using a damaged ladder. A ladder with any type of damage or defect should be removed from service immediately. A cracked ladder could break once you put more pressure on it.
• Carrying a heavy load when climbing up or down a ladder. This is dangerous because it can cause you to lose your balance, thus knocking the ladder to the ground.
• Setting up a ladder on unleveled or soft ground. If you place a ladder on a slope, for example, it increases the likelihood of it tipping.
• Neglecting to use three points of contact. It's imperative to keep three points of contact on the ladder at all times. For example, one hand and two feet or two hands and one foot.
• Standing on the top rung of a ladder. This increases the likelihood of the ladder tipping, so make sure you stop before you reach this point.
• Leaning or stretching while still standing on the ladder. It's better to move the ladder to the appropriate position than to do this.
• Placing the ladder in an area where it could be struck by a passerby or vehicle. For example, you never want to place a ladder in close proximity to a door.

Farm workers face a host of hazards when they are in the fields. While this is very hard physical labor, each worker plays an important part in the nation's economy. Taking care of these employees is a priority, but the duty to make this happen falls on the employer.

There are several threats that come with field work in the summer. Minimizing these threats can improve the safety of workers. It is critical that workers take care of themselves as best as possible while they are outside.