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OSHA issues online tools to reduce chemical exposure

Many workers are at risk for being exposed to dangerous chemicals while working in the United States. Workplaces that use dangerous chemicals are supposed to follow safety regulations and rules issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Unfortunately, OSHA’s guidelines for chemical exposure are lacking. A majority of the hazardous chemical exposure limits issued… Read more

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Ticket to Work Program

The Social Security Administration (SSA), which has served the most vulnerable Americans for decades, discovered years ago that some Supplementary Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program participants were likely to receive disability benefits their entire lives. Many of these beneficiaries wanted to work, but were limited by SSA program rules which… Read more

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PROMISE initiative aims to provide better outcomes for kids on SSI

The United States government recently announced a new initiative aimed at improving the long-term health, education and employment outcomes for children with disabilities who are currently receiving Supplemental Security Income. The new initiative is known as Promoting Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income, or PROMISE. It will involve a coordination of efforts between the… Read more

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More People Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits

The number of people receiving Social Security disability benefits is on the rise. It has almost tripled since 1980, when there were about 2.8 million workers and 1.8 million dependents receiving Social Security disability insurance payments. By 2010, this number rose to 8.2 million workers and 2.1 million dependents, reports Reuters news. Social Security disability… Read more

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Initial SSD claims often rejected

Although it is natural to feel defeated when a claim for SSD has been denied, the process is nowhere near over. In fact, the majority of individuals who apply for SSD are rejected on their initial application. So long as it is filed within 60 days of the initial decision, an individual can appeal the… Read more

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Sufferers Eligible for Disability Benefits

Many people who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, sometimes known as Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, face skepticism from the general public. But it is a very real and very debilitating condition. The cause of CFS is uncertain, and no treatment has proven very effective. However, a promising study out of Norway has shown… Read more

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Backlog of SSD Hearings Increases

In 2007, the Social Security Administration (SSA) set a plan in motion designed to reduce the backlog of pending disability applications and to eliminate the backlog of hearing requests by 2012. However, a study conducted this year by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) disputes that this goal is being met. In 2007, SSA had… Read more

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Healthcare workers still have high workplace injury rate

Workers in the health care industry face many hazards on-the-job, and it appears that the dangers in the workplace are leading to many workplace injuries in the United States. Injuries in the health care industry resulted in more than two million missed days of work in the U.S. in 2011, according to the UL Workplace… Read more

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Work-related car accidents leading cause of death for workers

Many times on this blog we have discussed different hazards in the workplace. Many workplace accidents are caused by equipment use, inexperience, lack of training and safety violations. All of these factors increase the risk for a workplace accident, but there is one type of accident that is the leading cause of death for workers…. Read more

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OSHA not able to inspect as many workplaces during shutdown

The federal government shutdown could have a significant impact on the safety of workers in Pennsylvania and throughout the country. Due to the federal government shutdown, the Labor Department will not be able to continue most of their investigations into workplace safety issues and hazards. The Labor Department said that only 18 percent of their… Read more