Workers in Pennsylvania may face a number of risks on the job on a daily basis. People who are hurt in workplace accidents could lose wages and businesses lose revenue as a result. However, many on-the-job injuries are preventable. In many other cases, the severity of the injury can be lessened by taking proper safety precautions.
One of the most common workplace injuries is a slip-and-fall accident. According to some figures, one-third of all on-the-job injuries are caused by slips, trips and falls. While they may sound like relatively minor incidents, they can be serious and lead to back and spinal cord injuries, head trauma and traumatic brain injuries, pulled muscles, sprains and broken bones. Approximately 15 percent of all accidental workplace fatalities are caused by falls and slips while they comprise 17 percent of permanently disabling workplace injuries. Businesses can reduce the risk of these potentially devastating injuries by properly cleaning up, warning and labeling slippery areas. Uneven or damaged walkways should also be repaired to avoid workers slipping and falling.
Machinery, especially broken or malfunctioning machinery, can be another common cause of workplace injuries. When employees aren’t trained properly on even well-functioning equipment, the result can be severe injuries, amputations or even deaths. All machinery should have proper protective guards, and repair work should involve a proper tag-out system to ensure that security mechanisms are in place.
When people are injured on the job, the consequences can be significant. They may be unable to return to work at all due to disabilities caused by the accident. A workers’ compensation lawyer may work to help injured workers protect their rights and pursue the benefits they deserve. An attorney may also be able to help workers who have been hurt as a result of a company’s violation of safety regulations.
