Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

OSHA’s role in reducing workplace injuries

On behalf of Godwin and Rubin posted in Workplace Injuries on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is a national organization charged with ensuring the safety of workers throughout California and the rest of the country. The agency’s policies extend to around 130 million employees at over eight million places of business. A congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives from another state recently held a hearing to review OSHA’s role in preventing workplace injuries as well as creating policies that protect employers and employees alike.

The representative noted that while OSHA’s goals are to implement protections in the workplace, many employers are confused by the policies issued by the agency. Many requirements create hardships on some business owners as they attempt to comply with the regulations. Smaller companies, in particular, simply do not have adequate resources to meet some of the standards. Unfortunately, customers may experience higher prices for products and services as the costs of compliance are passed along to them.

Some advocates support OSHA’s positive focus on safety, rather than always having a punitive approach. At the hearing, delegates from the construction industry voiced concerns about how new regulations were a burden for them. They bemoaned the additional rules imposed on them as well as costs required to implement the new rules. The representative stressed the need for businesses to work closely with OSHA to promote greater trust with the ultimate goal of safety for everyone in the workforce.

Even with focus on safety at the nation’s highest level, workplace injuries are still happening. If an employee has been injured on the job, he or she is entitled to certain benefits. To ensure that someone receives the appropriate benefits, contact a California workers’ compensation attorney. A respected lawyer will help clients through every step of the legal process.