Occupational Fatalities
Despite significant progress in recent years, workplace safety is still a
major issue for both employees and employers alike in San Antonio. According to a recent article published by My San Antonio, there have been 26 worker deaths in the city since 200, and of the occupational fatalities during the last six years, 15 were caused by falls. Most accidents and deaths occur in the construction, landscaping, and transportation industries, but this problem extends far beyond these industries, the city of San Antonio, and even the state of Texas: over 4,500 workers died on the job in the U.S. in 2013 alone.
There are many causes of workplace accidents and deaths, ranging from a lack of posted signs in hazardous areas to truck drivers logging too many hours and falling asleep at the wheel. Therefore, it’s important for employees and employers alike to assess potential risks and take the proper precautions to avoid them. While accidents do sometimes occur, one death is one too many. Ensuring employer safety should always be a top priority, and this can be accomplished in a number of ways:
1. Training
Instituting training programs is essential for establishing a safe work environment. Both employers and employees should know and understand all of the rules and regulations that govern workplace safety as laid out by OSHA. Without devoting the requisite time and resources to making sure that all employees are well versed in a company’s safety protocols, accidents are guaranteed to happen. Regular instruction and drills are important, but it’s crucial for the proper personnel to see past the routine nature of safety training, truly assess risk, properly train all employees, offer incentives for safe work behavior, and hold everyone accountable—regardless of their position within the company.
2. Developing and Communicating Company Policy
To avoid accidents (and potentially even deaths), companies must establish, communicate, and post policies to prevent dangerous situations. It is imperative for companies to have policies in place that will help prevent dangerous situations. The language and processes required should be job specific, and they should be analyzed at a granular level to determine risk and provide proper training and guidance. Also, if a workplace is especially prone to specific issues (like wet floors or tricky maneuvering), all employees should be made aware that they need to take special care when traversing these areas. This involves posting signs and also issuing company-wide statements to ensure that everyone understands the potential risks and takes measures to keep themselves as safe as possible.
3. Research
In the busy and stressful environment of an office or work site, it’s easy for human resource employees and other safety monitors to overlook industry standards and regulations. While applying common sense to reduce risk is essential, the proper personnel should also be vigilant to make sure their company and its employees are following the protocols established by OSHA. More than that, though, employees and employers should exceed compliance if they want to ensure safety across the board. The bare minimum is rarely enough, and work safety is far too important an issue to merely settle for the lowest passable grade.
Go above and beyond to make sure that everyone at your company is doing their absolute best to stay safe. One great resource is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They provide free evaluations to determine if your workplace contains potential health hazards. It’s also important to note that workplace safety risks vary significantly from office to office and from industry to industry. For a list of the most common safety violations by industry, you can visit OSHA to look up specifics that pertain to your industry.
Crosley Law Firm and Workplace Safety
At Crosley Law Firm, we have extensive experience dealing with workplace injuries and deaths as well as premises liability cases. We have the knowledge and resources to ensure that employers and other responsible parties are held accountable for negligent behavior, and we offer free consultations to assess the merits of your claim and provide you with advice about your best course of action. Additionally, we offer a “No Fee” policy, which means that our clients do not pay any costs or fees out-of-pocket unless or until we have reached a favorable verdict or settlement. If you or someone you know has suffered a work-related accident or lost a loved one due to a workplace incident, contact Crosley Law Firm today at (877) 535-4529 or fill out a brief online form, and we will contact you to conduct a free consultation.
References:
Eudaily, C. (2015, June 11). 26 workers died on the job in San Antonio in the past 6 years. MySA. Retrieved from http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/OSHA-records-show-14-workers-died-from-falls-in-6316854.php
Spiro, J. (2010, May 14). 9 avoidable workplace health and safety hazards. Inc. Retrieved from http://www.inc.com/guides/2010/05/9-avoidable-workplace-health-safety-hazards.html
