Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

4 hazards that are common in many industries

On behalf of Godwin and Rubin on Tuesday, January 29, 2019.

Workers in various industries all face some of the more common hazards. For employers, knowing what these are can help them to improve employee safety. It is necessary for everyone to embrace the culture of workplace safety.

No matter what type of business you work in, these are some of the dangers and issues that should be addressed by employers.

Clutter around the workspace

Clutter around the work area is very hazardous because it can lead to a variety of incidents. If objects are within 18 inches of a sprinkler head, the fire suppression system can’t work properly. The clutter itself is also a problem because it is a fire and health hazard. Items on the floor can lead to someone tripping and falling. Unorganized spaces also come with a risk of things falling onto employees when they try to get things down from shelving.

Heavy equipment

Some companies use forklifts to move pallets of merchandise. Others use different types of heavy equipment. Anyone who works on these must be properly trained to avoid an accident. When these machines are being used around people, it is a good idea to require a spotter who can watch for individuals and help to direct them away from the machinery.

Falls from any height

A fall from any height, even one that involves a person who is standing on the ground, can lead to injuries. People who are working from heights above ground should have some type of safety system to help prevent falls. Keeping trip hazards, such as power cords from the floors, having level flooring, using rugs without curled edges and similar measures can also help to prevent people from falling.

Chemical safety

Any chemical used at a company should have an accompanying material safety data sheet that explains the proper usage, indications and risks of the product. This is the blueprint for employees to safety use the product. If there is any personal protective equipment required by the MSDS, it should be provided.

When workers suffer injuries, liability falls on the employer (in most cases) because the company is the one responsible for safety. These injured workers might choose to seek workers’ compensation benefits. Primarily, workers will need the medical care coverage, but people who aren’t able to return to work right away might also need the temporary disability benefits the program offers to qualified individuals.