Connecticut winters can be harsh, and unfortunately, many people injure themselves in the process of removing snow.

A new hazard alert highlights the risk of fatalities occurring in the oil and gas industry in Connecticut and across the country by vapors igniting when vehicles and motorized equipment are in use.

Employers in Connecticut and throughout the country have a duty to keep workers safe in all weather conditions. During the winter months, this generally means taking steps to protect against cold weather, snow and wind.

Employers in Connecticut who have their workers handle hazardous chemicals will want to make sure the following 11 rules are incorporated into their own safety policies.

Online retail giant Amazon currently has over 140 fulfillment centers across the U.S. However, these warehouses have frequently been hotbeds of worker injuries.

Mining activities in Connecticut present many workplace hazards due to the nature of the job.

Trench digging is a necessary task for a multitude of Connecticut construction projects.

Accidents at workplaces around the country killed about 13 workers every day in 2015, and figures from the U.S. Bureau of labor Statistics reveal that a further 3 million workers suffered an injury or became ill while at work

Far too many companies in Connecticut fail to put sufficient attention on protecting workers' safety on the job.

Construction workers in Connecticut often face dangerous work on the job that can be an inherent part of dealing with shifting earth, unfinished structures, heavy machinery and physical labor.

To create safer job sites, it's important for construction workers and employers in Connecticut to understand the dangers of working outdoors during summer. The top five hazards are fatigue, heat-related illness, dehydration, sun exposure and cars in roadside construction zones.

Composting large amounts of municipal waste requires physical labor and heavy machinery within busy work environments. These conditions create the potential for serious injuries and even deaths.

Government data reveals that transportation accidents are the leading cause of workplace deaths in the United States. According to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 40 percent of the workers killed in 2016 lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes.

This devastating occupational disease had appeared to be dying out by the end of the 20th century. At that time, there were only 31 cases of the most severe form of the disease reported to researchers and new cases of black lung had reached a historical low number. However, as the 21st century progresses, it is clear that far from being eliminated, black lung is perhaps a greater threat to workers' health than ever before.

The fines assessed against employers in Connecticut and around the country for violating workplace safety regulations increased by up to 78 percent in August 2016. These financial penalties had remained largely unchanged for several years, but a key provision of the 2015 Bipartisan Budget Act required federal agencies covered by the legislation, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, to update their penalties in order to bring them into line with increases in the cost of living.

Some agricultural workers in Connecticut use heavy equipment and machinery in their normal daily work. While accidents can cause serious injury and death, even the normal everyday operation of some farm equipment can cause chronic issues like back pain. A recent study shows that the vibration of many types of farm machinery can cause health concerns for workers, even though OSHA does not have any standards regarding this issue.

Construction worker deaths have been on the rise in Connecticut and across the U.S. In fact, data from the Center for Construction Research and Training shows that overall deaths in the construction industry increased by 26 percent between 2011 and 2015.

There are many different ways in which a Connecticut worker could get hurt while working in a warehouse or a production facility. However, falls are one of the most common, so employers may want to look at their fall protection plans. OSHA requires workers to have fall protection if they are walking 4 feet above the next lower level.

Connecticut residents may remember that actor Bill Paxton died during surgery in February 2017. His estate claims that his surgeon and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center were negligent in diagnosing, managing and treating him. However, the hospital and the doctor said that Paxton knew that the surgery could be risky. They also claimed that the actor had an existing condition that made the procedure an even bigger risk.

Connecticut motorists may be interested to learn that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has recently published new data about the number of fatal truck accidents. After analyzing nationwide wrecks, the agency reported a 3 percent increase in deadly truck accidents in 2016. The top causes of fatal crashes for both commercial trucks and passenger vehicles were speeding and distracted driving.