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One of the best ways to address federal and state compliance requirements is to start with an understanding of the target areas of enforcement by regulators and inspectors and why these are target areas. Compliance in four key areas is crucial to avoid catastrophic injuries as well as costly fines, citations and criminal charges.

In this post, I am not going to refer to any particular regulation or statute. These four general categories cover many, many state and federal regulations. Trainers and inspectors categorize many regulations and standards into four compact categories and focus their attention on these general categories because these accidents cause 90% of construction fatalities. Called “The KILLER FOUR,” they are:

1. FALLS – Falls from elevation continue to be the biggest source of catastrophic injuries to construction workers. Falls account for nearly one-third of construction fatalities.
2. STRUCK BY – 22% of construction fatalities are the result of being “struck by” a falling and/or moving object.
3. CAUGHT IN/BETWEEN – This category includes cave-ins, trenching accidents and being pinned by machinery or supplies. 18% of fatalities occur in this manner.
4. SHOCK – 17% of all fatalities are because of an electrical accident.

These “Killer Four” were developed after a 10-year study by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and published in 1990.

Based in part on that study, OSHA inspectors and regional offices began target enforcement programs into specific construction trades and sites in their region where these “Killer Four” are regularly found. OSHA has determined that violations in these four areas are a top priority.

I will focus on each of these four areas in posts to come and you can review our main web site for links and more information.

Filed by Gregory Boop under Workplace Safety Business
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A great source of information regarding resources available to families and businesses in Cuyahoga County can be found a the Cuyahoga Board of County Commissioners website. The site features a very concise guide to various county services and programs for families. The guide lists income requirements for the programs and lists programs that don’t get a lot of attention such as the “The Grandparent/Kinship Caregiver Program.”

For businesses, the site provides the Economic Development Handbook that lists many loan and business development programs offered by the state, county, and local cities. I’ve downloaded a copy and I use it at my office as a resource for my small business clients.

It is a great source of information and we will add the site to our library as a link.

Filed by Gregory Boop under Consumer Law
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If you, or some one you know, are being called to active military service there are a number of programs and laws designed to help you. In Ohio, you can call the PATRIOT program at 1-866-GI-HELPR (1-866-444-3577)and get information about the program from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. The AG’s website also offers an online brochure that provides an overview of the program.

All active duty servicemembers are entitled to the protection of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a law which amends the prior Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act. It is a federal law applicable in each state and provides some very powerful protection to the active-duty servicemember.

Some of the more important provisions of the Act are:

• A mandatory reduction of interest on mortgage and consumer loans to 6%.
• A mandatory delay of court or administrative proceedings for 90 days.
• The termination of leases – including automobile leases.
• Some protection from being evicted.
• Default judgment protection.
• Clarification of what states and municipalities can tax as “income.”
• Protection for life and health insurance benefits.

If you are an Ohio servicemember about to be put on active duty, we can offer assistance dealing with landlords, lessors and creditors who refuse to honor your service and rights under this law.

Filed by Gregory Boop under
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