Top 3 Types of OSHA Violations That Get People Hurt

 Posted on May 24, 2022 in Workers' Compensation

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets out safety standards for a good reason. Without these federal standards in place, quite a few more workers would be trying to do their jobs in an unsafe environment. OSHA standards exist to force employers to take employee safety seriously and put measures in place to minimize the occurrence of workplace injuries. However, there are some employers who still stubbornly refuse to comply with OSHA’s safety requirements. When a violation occurs, everyone on the job site could be at risk.

Each year, OSHA publishes a list of the most commonly cited safety violations. Sadly, these violations are often not discovered until someone gets hurt and needs workers’ compensation. Note that you do not need to prove that your employer was at fault or in violation of a safety law to receive workers’ compensation. However, a violation does increase the chances that an injury will occur. Any time you suffer a workplace injury, the smart move is to immediately contact an attorney. 

What Are the Most Common Categories of OSHA Violations?

While it is possible to get hurt at work even when all safety procedures are correctly followed, injuries are more likely to occur when they are not. Some of the most common types of safety violations include: 

• Fall safety - Several of the most common OSH violations involve fall prevention measures in the construction industry. Standards involving fall protection, fall protection training, scaffolding, and ladder safety all made OSHA’s top ten list of violations for the past year. Fall injuries can be life-altering when they cause permanent issues such as paralysis or traumatic brain injuries.
• Personal protective gear - Wearing the proper safety gear is essential in a variety of professions, from construction to health care. Specifically, face and eye protection and respiratory protection standards were both commonly violated in 2021. When appropriate respiratory protection is not used, workers can develop very serious lung problems from breathing in dangerous fumes or dust. Eye injuries caused by a lack of protection can lead to permanent vision loss.
• Machinery - Violations related to heavy machinery and industrial trucks were also common. Safety procedures are critically important when machinery is present at a worksite. The specific steps employers must take to protect employees in these industries varies based on the types of heavy machinery used. 

Even if your employer was following all the proper procedures, you could still receive workers’ compensation after getting hurt on the job. 

Call a Santa Clara County Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you have been injured on the job, Cramer + Martinez may be able to help you recover compensation. Our skilled Gilroy workers’ compensation lawyers are dedicated to helping injured workers receive the compensation they deserve. Contact us at 408-848-1113 for a free consultation. 

Source: 

https://www.osha.gov/top10citedstandards