Each October, the preliminary findings for the year’s most frequently cited health and safety violations is released by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). For 2016, OSHA’s top 10 list is the culmination of 32,000 inspections by federal OSHA staff members.
Every year, there are roughly three million work-related injuries and approximately 4,500 job fatalities. The list was created for employers to follow and refer to when taking their employees safety and well-being into account. If you suffered a work related injury and you’re looking for a personal injury attorney in Las Vegas contact Henness & Haight for a free consultation.
By following the list, millions of injuries and thousands of deaths in the workplace could be avoided each year. OSHA encourages employers to use the following list as a starting point for workplace safety:
- Fall protection
- Hazard communication
- Scaffolds
- Respiratory protectio
- Lockout/tagout
- Powered industrial trucks
- Ladders
- Machine guarding
- Electrical wiring
- Electrical, general requirements
The vast majority of work-related injuries involve falls. Workers are susceptible to falls from high, unprotected places, such as scaffolds and ladders. OSHA encourages employers to make necessary fall protection measures in order to prevent injuries and fatalities.
Proper lockout/tagout procedures and appropriate machine safety-guarding will prevent exposing hands and fingers to dangerous moving parts. Using proper procedures will prevent machines from being turned on unexpectedly while someone is working on them. Installing safety guards on machinery will also improve protection for workers who handle dangerous equipment on a daily basis.
Employers that do not use OSHA standards are not only violating federal safety laws but are also putting workers’ health and safety at risk. When work injuries occur, employees may need to use the workers’ compensation system to get medical benefits and the protection they need while recovering.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a workplace accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Our workplace injury attorneys at Henness & Haight are here to help. We offer a free consultation to review your claim and determine if you have a case that requires legal action.