Employers are responsible for preventing workplace injuries and ensuring their workers’ health and safety. Although employers can’t control some occupational hazards, the following tips can help protect workers against the most preventable workplace injuries.
Implement a Workplace Injury and Illness Prevention Program
Awareness of workplace hazards and potential accidents in order to prevent them from harming anyone is the best way to mitigate and avoid injury. According to OSHA, employers must implement a program that focuses on preventing workplace illness and injury, and the program must include:
- Hazard identification, evaluation, prevention, and control
- Worker participation
- Management leadership
- Training and education
- Program assessments and improvements
Invest in Regular Safety and Health Training
Employers must meet with their workers frequently to discuss health and safety and require or encourage workers to go to industry safety classes and workshops. They should likewise ensure that workers are capable of:
- Identifying the most common occupational hazards in their specific work assignments
- Understanding and explaining in detail how they could prevent these hazards from causing accidents
- Explaining the proper procedures for dealing with workplace accidents
Communicate with Workers Effectively and Regularly
Employers should have a protocol for sharing company safety policies, and regularly revisit them to ensure that they’re still effective. All workers should have a copy of the safety policies, which outline vital steps workers must take in case of an accident.
Get Legal Advice from an Experienced Greenville, SC, Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you need more information about navigating your workers’ compensation claim or appealing one, contact the law firm of David R. Price Jr., P.A. today. Our skilled Greenville, SC, lawyers can discuss your case during a free consultation, which you can schedule by phone at 864-392-3278 or through our online form.
Workers’ Compensation FAQ
What medical treatment can I receive?
Workers’ compensation benefits should cover hospitalization, surgery, medical supplies, prescriptions, and prosthetic devices. But remember that you will only receive these benefits if you go to a doctor or medical provider that has been approved by your employer or your employer’s insurance provider.
What should I do if my workers’ compensation claim was denied?
Ask an experienced lawyer for help pursuing or appealing your claim.
Who is qualified to receive workers’ compensation insurance benefits?
Employers with at least four employees must provide workers’ compensation insurance to all full-time and part-time employees.