The list of the top ten most deadly jobs for 2011 is out, and once again on the list, weighing in at number 3, are pilots and flight engineers. Given the extraordinary safety record of commercial flights, this is a bit of a surprise. I am sure we overlook many of the most dangerous segments…
Rugby Player Who Drops a Ball on the Job is One Tough Cookie
Paul Wood is a British rugby league player, and he is one tough dude. Wood was playing for the Warrington Wolves against Leeds Rhinos in the Super League Grand Final in Manchester on Saturday, when he lost a testicle after a collision one minute into the second half of the game. He played the rest…
At Least Detroit Sewage Horsies Would Be Properly Shod
The city of Detroit is notoriously bankrupt. They tear down vacant homes every week. They are turning off city lights. Their police are passing out flyers calling the city a war zone and warning people that they “enter at their own risk”. But despite all this, their water and sewage department still employs a horseshoer.…
On Monitoring Prescriptions, We Were Just Kidding
We know that Florida established a much needed Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, but left it unfunded and in danger of collapse. We know that the Florida legislature, in addition to not allowing state funds to be used, expressly prohibited pharmaceutical companies from contributing, despite the offer of $1 Million from the makers of Oxycontin for…
The Extraordinary Choice Between Right and Happy
I was helping my wife change the sheets recently when we got into a brief disagreement over a minor item. It was one of those critically important discussions involving what corner of the fitted sheet goes on which corner of the bed. You see, king size mattresses aren’t perfectly square, and if you start with…
Meningitis Scare Gives Workers Comp Back Pain Sufferers Bigger Concern
An outbreak of aspergillus meningitis that has sickened 30 and killed 5 people has been linked to spinal steroid injections, a common treatment for back pain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reported that a vial of the steroid, called methylprednisolone acetate, was found to contain fungus. Most of the cases, and 3 deaths,…
Brown Vetoes Nanny State Nanny Bill
California Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed legislation this week that would have made domestic workers eligible for a range of labor protections and benefits, as well as make it easier to qualify for workers compensation. A.B. 889 would have eliminated a requirement that domestic workers perform at least 52 hours and earn more than $100 in…