Safety hazards in the workplace are often the result of lax safety practices, according to workers’ compensation lawyer Philadelphia PA trusts to litigate workplace injury cases. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) monitors trends in safety violations and publishes a list of the top violations annually. Employers who fail to assure workplace safety are often liable for employee accidents. A workers compensation lawyer Philadelphia PA relies on will review the top OSHA safety violations for 2021 and outline what to do if you have been injured at work.
Notably, fall protection earns spot as the number one safety violation for the 11th consecutive year. These hazards continue to top the list because they are present in many workplaces. Falls can occur from use of ladders, stairways, or any elevated work surface. Because of the high risk of injury from falls, employers should continually reevaluate their workplaces to identify and mitigate fall hazards.
A Philadelphia work injury lawyer shares the top 10 OSHA Safety Violations for 2021:
- Fall Protection: General – OSHA issued over 2,000 safety violations in 2021 for failure of the employer to adhere to fall protection guidelines. Fall injuries at work can be catastrophic and cause long term or permanent harm. Fracture, sprains, and head injuries are often the result of fall injuries at work.
- Respiratory Protection – OSHA requires that workplaces help to control occupational diseases caused by breathing harmful dusts, fumes, vapors, or gases by providing proper ventilation and engineering controls
- Ladders – OSHA has strict standards about ladders and their use. Ladders rank in the top 3 of OSHA safety violations for 2021.
- Scaffolding – OSHA’s standards for scaffolding are to ensure that they are secured to prevent swaying. Scaffolding standards include fall protection requirements as well.
- Hazard Communication – The OSHA hazard communication standard requires all employers to train their employees about hazardous chemicals in the workplace. A workers compensation lawyer Philadelphia PA trusts has seen cases where employees are not aware of chemical hazard and response to a chemical exposure.
- Lockout/Tagout – this standard covers the servicing and maintenance of equipment to prevent the unexpected release of stored energy (electricity) that could hurt employees. Electrocution lawsuit lawyers in PA at the Wieand Law Firm frequently deal with these types of cases.
- Fall Protection: Training – OSHA requires the employers provide a training program for every employee who might be exposed to fall hazards
- PPE and Life Saving Equipment: Eye and Face Coverings – This standard requires employers to ensure that employees use appropriate eye and face protection when exposed to hazards such as flying particles, liquid, chemicals, or gasses.
- Powered Industrial Trucks – Many employees are injured each year by operation of powered industrial trucks, including forklifts and motorized hand trucks. This requirement also includes requirements for training on such equipment.
- Machine Guarding – This standard covers the guarding of dangerous machinery to keep employees safe from hazards.
What Happens If You Get Injured on the Job or at Work?
Each year, there are nearly 2.8 million non-fatal workplace accidents. Individuals who are hurt at work can feel overwhelmed by recovering from their injury while also pursuing a workers compensation claim with their employer. The workers compensation lawyer Philadelphia PA goes to for workplace injuries can help you through the process to ensure you obtain all the workers compensation benefits that you are entitled to. Your lawyer can help you navigate the many steps involved in filing a successful claim to achieve the best result possible.
Contact the Philadelphia Work Injury Lawyers at the Wieand Law Firm, LLC Today
The workers compensation lawyers Philadelphia PA trusts to litigate high value claims understands the importance of obtaining financial relief and support for you and your family’s future. The right attorney will prioritize your health and well-being as a central part of the claims process. To arrange for a free consultation with a Philadelphia work injury lawyer, call 215-666-7777 or send a message via the online form.
