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Independence Day —a Dangerous Day for Drivers As West Virginians plan their travel, picnics,parties,and fireworks, themostessential concernthat may be neglected is a focus on safety. It is unfortunate, but the 4thof July is often linked to boat,whitewater raftingandcar accidents, drowsy or drunk driving, speeding, and recklessness on our highways. In addition to becoming one of…

Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of accidents, and this type of impact can do serious damage to both the vehicles, the drivers, and the passengers inside. Rear-end collisions typically occur at intersections or in heavy traffic where one car is stopped or slowed and another comes up behind it and is…

Problems with Water Quality Contamination near Gas and Oil Drilling Sites The oil and gas industry in West Virginia was significant in our past and is vital to our future. Presently, the state of West Virginia is anticipating tremendous economic growth as the oil and gas industry develops. Not only are thousands of jobs being…

Fatigued semi-trailer drivers are a significant safety risk on our roads here in West Virginia and across the country. Federal regulations limit the number of hours a trucker can be on the road without rest, but some say that these rules need to be even stricter. In the aftermath of a truck accident that left…

In the past five months, natural gas developers applied for 272 well permits and 230 of those have been approved, according to Department of Environmental Protection Office of Oil and Gas public notices. The majority of the boom is confined to 13 north-central counties, with the vast bulk of activity based in just five of…

As you take offfor vacation this summer,keep in mind thesedriving tips toavoid an accidentonour West Virginiahighways.Withfive major interstate highwaysin WV including I-79, I-68, I-77,I-70,and I-64,there is a highlikelihood of accidents involving semi-trucks. Planning and prevention are much easier than dealing with the consequences ofahighway crash, especially one which could have been prevented by following best…

Although the U.S. has made strides in workplace safety over recent decades, thousands of people still lose their lives in workplace accidents every year. In fact, an average of 150 people died due to workplace injuries or job-related diseases every single day. Many of these injuries and fatalities are preventable. Last month, the AFL-CIO released…

Oil Well Drilling Fatalities Though the investigations are not complete, NIOSH has learned aboutseveral worker fatalitiesassociated with flowback operations. According to their information, at least four workers have died since 2010 from what appears to be acute chemical exposures during flowback operations at well sites in the Williston Basin (North Dakota and Montana). The available…

Roadway and highway construction work zones are hazardous both for motorists who drive through the complex array of lane changes, signs, and barrels and also for workers who build, repair, and maintain our streets, bridges, and highways. Road construction workers place their lives in the hands of other workers on site, as well as equipment…