August, 2018 - Braunfotel and Frendel

Workplace safety plans are crucial for roof work

According to federal safety regulations governed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, employers nationwide, including in New York must protect workers from known safety hazards. One area in which control is often neglected is roof work. When workplace safety plans are not in place for working at elevated levels, the consequences could be devastating.By establishing a management plan for rooftop work, an employer can maintain safety control throughout a project. A proper plan ensures that the employer or supervisor will know which workers are on the roof at all times, and what their respective duties are. All the roof workers will know whether access to the roof will be obtained by the use of a ladder, stairwell or an aerial lift.The plan will specify which equipment will be used, [...]

Workplace safety plans are crucial for roof workjames2018-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

Reality star’s daughter facing drug charges

Lynne Curtin, former star of Real Housewives of Orange CountyThis is not the first time Alexa has been in trouble with the law. She was previously charged for having heroin-covered paraphernalia and driving under the influence of drugs. Repeat drug or drugged driving offenders may receive harsher sentences each time they commit a crime.For example, driving while under the influence of drugs is a misdemeanor for first time offenders in New York and penalties include a fine from $500 to $1,000, up to a year in jail and a minimum 6-month revocation of your license. However, a second offense within 10 years may get bumped up to a felony, which could result in a $1,000 to $5,000 fine, a minimum of five days in jail or 30 days of community [...]

Reality star’s daughter facing drug chargesjames2018-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

Drug charges filed against passenger of New York comedian

The actor and comedian, Pete Davidson, recently had a close encounter with law enforcement. It was reported that the actor was pulled over by upstate New York police in the early morning hours of a Saturday earlier this month. However, it was his passenger who was arrested on felony drug charges.A report by the Manlius police indicates that Davidson was pulled over at approximately 4 a.m. and subjected to a field sobriety test. He passed the test and avoided a citation. However, his passenger - also a stand-up comedian - was not so lucky. Officers claim they noticed a marijuana smell emanating from the vehicle when they approached the driver.Police officers allegedly found the passenger in possession of a controlled substance, which led to his arrest and felony charges. The [...]

Drug charges filed against passenger of New York comedianjames2018-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

New tool could eliminate surgical ‘never events’

A startup called SafeStart Medical wants to use cloud technology to make sure that New York patients aren't victims of surgical mistakes. The startup's app, which is compliant with HIPPA laws, involves the patient throughout the treatment process. Both patients and physicians review photos, consent forms and other relevant information prior to a surgical procedure taking place. SafeStart Medical's founder says that about 8,000 to 10,000 patients a year are impacted by what are referred to as never events.""These events include the wrong body part being operated on or receiving the wrong organ. However, with this new tool, the goal is to completely eradicate such events from happening. It is thought that about half of these errors are the result of poor communication. Although the service is not yet available [...]

New tool could eliminate surgical ‘never events’james2018-08-29T00:00:00+00:00

New Yorkers arrested for alleged organized retail theft

Organized retail theft refers to shoplifting on a much larger scale. Generally, a person commits organized retail theft or fraud if they work with other parties to steal from retailers with the intent of reselling the stolen items for financial gain. Two New Yorkers are now facing various theft-related criminal charges, including first-degree forgery, organized retail theft, third-degree larceny, possession of shoplifting devices and conspiracy to commit organized retail theft and third-degree larceny.The man and woman were stopped by police for making an unsafe left-hand turn. During the stop, officers found an expired vehicle registration that did not belong to that vehicle.The men were arrested after police searched the vehicle and reportedly found stolen merchandise from a local mall worth $4,000 and hundreds of dollars in counterfeit bills. Officers also [...]

New Yorkers arrested for alleged organized retail theftjames2018-08-25T00:00:00+00:00

Government campaigns against DWIs involving drugged driving

People in New York may think that DWAIs can only be assessed against drunk drivers. However, a drugged driver can also be charged with driving while ability impaired, as drugs can impair a person's ability to operate a motor vehicle. And, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is taking steps to bring awareness about the issue of drugged driving.The NHTSA has announced a new campaign called, Drive highHowever, the fact remains that many police officers do not have sufficient training to recognize drugged driving in comparison to drunk driving. In addition, unlike a blood alcohol content test, toxicology tests for drugs cannot always provide a conclusive result, as marijuana can remain in a person's system long after they are impaired. Thus, motorists who test positive for having marijuana in their [...]

Government campaigns against DWIs involving drugged drivingjames2018-08-23T00:00:00+00:00

OSHA’s safety guidelines for tree care workers

In New York, as elsewhere, the tree care industry is one of the most hazardous. According to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, landscape service workers make up 3.5 percent of all workplace fatalities despite composing less than 1 percent of the nation's workforce. Approximately 75 percent of these fatalities are related to tree trimming or removal with the three leading causes of death being falls, struck-by incidents and electrical accidents.While the Tree Care Industry Association has been petitioning OSHA for a federal tree care standard since 2006, none is forthcoming. However, OSHA's Spring 2018 regulatory agenda does call for a panel on potential tree care rules by April 2019. OSHA has always held the tree care industry to various other federal standards. Its safety recommendations are summarized [...]

OSHA’s safety guidelines for tree care workersjames2018-08-22T00:00:00+00:00

Driver accused of speeding faces drunk driving charges

Drivers in New York who exceed the speed limit, drive erratically or have malfunctioning brake lights or other problems with their vehicles will always be at risk of being pulled over. What they say and do when this happens could lead to drunk driving charges. For this reason, many drivers call their attorneys immediately when they suspect they might be accused of driving while impaired.A 31-year-old driver who resides in Pearl River was pulled over by the Orangetown Police Department on Western Highway on a recent Wednesday night around 10 p.m. Law enforcement claims a patrol officer noticed the vehicle traveling at a speed that was allegedly much faster than the posted limit. The officer proceeded to carry out a traffic stop and alleged that the driver was intoxicated.Further allegations [...]

Driver accused of speeding faces drunk driving chargesjames2018-08-21T00:00:00+00:00

Construction workers’ accidents: Chainsaw accident kills worker

Workers in the New York construction industry are supposed to be protected from known hazards by their employers. Sadly, many employees do not enjoy that kind of protection. Some construction workers' accidents occur in circumstances that involve safety violations. Compliance with safety regulations might have prevented the recent death of a 50-year-old worker.According to a spokesperson for the Department of Design and Construction of the city, the worker was a member of a crew installing water mains and sewers in Staten Island. Reportedly, he was in the confined space of a utility hole where he was working with a chainsaw. While trying to saw through a pipe, it appears the chainsaw slipped and cut the worker's hand and throat.Co-workers tried to stop the blood flowing from the deep laceration. NYPD [...]

Construction workers’ accidents: Chainsaw accident kills workerjames2018-08-21T00:00:00+00:00

NYSDOT concerned over too many construction workers’ accidents

The New York State Department of Transportation recently urged drivers to take extra care as they travel through road construction zones. Reportedly, crashes in work zones totaled almost 700 in 2017, with most of them caused by distracted driving. NYSDOT highway maintenance employees are at risk of being injured or killed in construction workers' accidents on every shift they work.Workers remind drivers that they are incredibly vulnerable, working right next to those orange cones with no protection. They report seeing drivers talking and texting on mobile devices every day. One worker even saw a driver working on his laptop as he went through the work zone. The same worker says he is still suffering the consequences of injuries he suffered when his construction vehicle was rear-ended by a tractor trailer [...]

NYSDOT concerned over too many construction workers’ accidentsjames2018-08-14T00:00:00+00:00

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