Companies in Texas and every other state have an obligation to keep workers safe. However, Amazon was a part of the April 2018 "dirty dozen" list created by the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health. According to the list, there were seven deaths at Amazon warehouses since 2013, and three of those deaths took place within a five-week period in 2017.
Tree care workers face high risks and patchy safety regulations
On-the-job hazards come at tree care workers in Texas from all directions. They can get hurt or killed by falling from high places, getting struck by falling limbs, coming in contact with electrical utility wires or encountering problems with chainsaws or wood chippers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not have regulations specifically for tree care workers. They work under rules developed for various occupations like loggers or construction workers. Although OSHA plans to create safety standards for tree workers, employers currently observe a patchwork of OSHA rules, state regulations and Arboricultural Operations--Safety Requirements.
OSHA guidelines on preventing struck-by injuries
Being struck by objects is one of the four most deadly hazards in the workplace according to OSHA. Struck-by injuries can be caused by a range of objects, including falling, flying, rolling, swinging and slipping objects. Employers and employees in Texas will want to know what OSHA guidelines are regarding the prevention of these injuries.
