OSHA’s Top 10 Safety Violations - How Can Workers’ Comp Help?
The OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) comes up with a list of the top ten most frequently cited standard violations that have taken place in the previous fiscal year. The purpose of this list is to ensure that employees stay vigilant and for employers to recognize these safety violations and impart necessary fixes.
Following the end of the fiscal year on September 30, the OSHA will soon be coming up with a new list for 2022. In view of that, let us revisit the previous year’s list.
Top 10 Violations in 2021 as per OSHA
Fall Protection - General Requirements
Fall protection, or rather, the lack of it, continues to be the number one concern at job sites across the nation. Employers often fail to provide workers with protection. Most also did a poor job of training employees in fall protection.
Respiratory Protection
Respiratory protection standards involve control measures, respirator use, maintenance, repair, and medical evaluations.
Ladders
Ladder injuries and deaths are usually falls. A ladder may not be properly supported or a rung may be wet. These are preventable accidents and direct violations of standards set by OSHA.
Scaffolding
More than 70% of scaffolding incidents happen because of defective planks, tripping of slippery surfaces, and falling objects. Scaffolding mishaps are most common in the construction industry.
Hazard Communication
Hazard communication requires the employer to inform the workers of the presence of dangerous chemicals in the workplace. Acids, asbestos, heavy metals, pesticides, and petroleum products are some of the most common substances that fall under HCS.
Lockout/Tagout
Lockout/Tagout violations occur due to poor documentation and inadequate employee training. There should be written procedures for every piece of equipment in the workplace.
Fall Protection - Training Requirements
Fall incidents account for 36% of all fatal injuries on work premises. Employers must eliminate tripping hazards, keep floors dry and clean, and guardrail on open platforms to combat this risk.
PPE - Eye and Face Protection
Every year, thousands of workers are blinded or incur facial injuries due to an unsafe environment at work. PPE can reduce exposure to such hazards.
Powered Industrial Trucks
There are mostly two types of industrial truck accidents - one, when the forklift tips over, and two, when the truck is driven too fast.
Machine Guarding
Industrial equipment like power saws, shears, milling machines, and guillotine cutters are supposed to be handled with extreme caution. These machines can crush and tear off body parts if operated incorrectly. Machine guarding is the term for protection mechanisms.
Workers’ Comp and On The Job Injury Lawsuits
When a worker is injured on the job, they are offered workers’ compensation, regardless of fault. Workers’ comp benefits include medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation, and disability (temporary or permanent) coverage. It also pays for death benefits if the worker loses their life.
The policies of workers’ compensation don’t allow the employee to sue the company for a work injury. However, on the job injury lawyers can help you file third-party suits against manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, or property owners. Such lawsuits may help you recover wages for excessive wage loss and mental suffering. However, keep in mind that, unlike workers’ comp, here you will need to prove fault.
You Deserve Compensation; We Will Help You Fight for It
Chiaf Law Offices fight for the rights of injured workers in OKC. Our on the job injury lawyers are highly skilled and harbor the professional expertise to get you the most out of your workers’ comp claim. They will also help you with third-party lawsuits. Between deadlines and tight rules and regulations, it is important that you do not delay your claim at all. Contact Chiaf Law Offices at (405) 524-1501.
**This content is not legal advice and does not presume, establish or imply any relationship between client and attorney.