Safety should always be a priority, especially if you’re working at a high risk work environment. According to the National Safety Council, at least seven employees are injured on the job per second. Construction sites and manufacturing plants are just some of the most hazardous places to work at, but a good number of white collar jobs also have the potential to cause serious injuries. Indeed, it doesn’t matter where you are and what you do, workplace safety is something you shouldn’t take lightly across the board.
Employees will have to be adequately informed about safety protocols in their respective workplaces. Knowing what to do in the event of a chemical accident or an injury caused by faulty equipment should go along with knowing the nature of such accidents and how should employers and employees address better workplace safety.
Here are a few things you need to know about workplace injuries, how best to deal with them, and how to get properly compensated by your employer.
What are the most common types of injuries in the workplace?
According to the NSC, muscle sprains and tears are just some of the most prevalent cases of work-related injuries in the United States. Soreness and lacerations are also frequent. But most of these are a result of overexertion, slips and falls, as well as repetitive movements.
How much do these injuries cost?
Given that seven workers are injured every second, the number of recorded injuries per year should be around 4,600,000. Of course, this is a rough estimation by the NSC, but it should give us an idea of the cost of these injuries in total. As per NSC estimations, the cost of work injuries amounted to a staggering $161.5 billion at $1,100 per work. These amounts include medical expenses and losses due to unproductivity. They do not include any legal charges that both employer and employee accrue.
Are there any safeguards at all?
Emphasis on workplace safety is a requirement for businesses to operate legally. Different states have different laws pertaining to this, but businesses should always use the processes and procedures prescribed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration under the Department of Labor. This agency is tasked with prescribing measures that should reduce the risk of accidents in the workplace. Construction sites, for instance, should have adequate safety facilities in line with OSHA standards, such as scaffolding and fall protection.
What should employees do when they get injured?
The best thing for employees to do is to, first, get immediate medical attention if the injury resulted in trauma or any other serious result. If there’s supposed negligence on the part of the employer, employees can work towards getting just compensation, especially in the case of a debilitating injury. Legal action will be considered, depending on the nature of the accident. Whatever the case, employees should be able to choose the right attorney to help them come up with a strong lawsuit. For instance, you can hire an attorney who can help you understand the elements of a slip and fall case and get you the settlement in line with your needs.
Workplace injuries should always be approached properly, and knowing more about them can help employees save time and money in obtaining proper compensation.
