The Importance of Safety Training in the Workplace

Accidents can happen in the workplace even when all safety measures are being followed. However, the chances of an accident occurring are more likely when there is a lack of safety training or proper supervision. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure all of their workers are properly trained and have access to safety manuals and guidelines should they need them.

When employers do not conduct regular safety checks to ensure that everything is done properly and safely, accidents can happen. While an injured worker has a right to claim workers’ compensation benefits without the need to prove fault, it is possible for them to pursue further compensation through additional claims or lawsuits if an employer is found to have been negligent by not maintaining safety standards.

However, whether the incident was purely an accident or negligence was involved, injured workers would benefit from working with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to ensure they are adequately compensated for their injuries. Workplace injuries not only leave you with expensive medical bills to cover, but they also often result in a loss of income due to your inability to work while recovering. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for employers or insurance companies to deny claims to reduce benefit amounts.

At Lunsford, Baskin, and Priebe, PLLC, our team has years of experience handling workers’ comp cases. We understand what it takes to build a strong case to get you the compensation you deserve so you can recover without worrying about medical expenses or missed wages.

Safety Guidelines That Employers Should Follow to Keep Their Workers Safe

Even with proper safety protocols in place, accidents can still happen. For this reason, it’s especially important for employers to maintain safety standards and conduct regular training to help reduce the number of accidents that occur. When employees don’t have proper training, guidance, or access to safety manuals, they are more likely to injure themselves and others around them.

To keep employees safe and avoid unnecessary accidents, employers should:

• Thoroughly train all employees: All employees should go through safety training before starting work. Even employees who are hired with years of experience should be made to attend safety training sessions. It’s also beneficial to conduct regular training throughout the year to remind employees of protocols.
• Ensure a supervisor is present and available at all times: Workers should never be left unsupervised. While it is not necessarily required that a supervisor stand watch over their shoulders at all times, they should still conduct walk-throughs and check in regularly to ensure everything is running smoothly. New and inexperienced employees especially should be watched more carefully until they become more familiar with the work they are doing.
• Identify and remove potential hazards: Walk-throughs can also help supervisors spot any potential hazards. Failing to identify or remove them can be dangerous and quickly lead to an accident.
• Ensure equipment and machinery are properly maintained: The equipment and machinery that many workers use daily are often very heavy and dangerous. It’s imperative that employers check equipment regularly to ensure it is in good working order. Equipment and machinery malfunctions put workers at risk.
• Provide proper safety gear and protection: Employees should always wear proper safety gear and equipment to protect themselves and others. If an employee forgets to wear their gear or if an employer fails to provide the proper gear, someone could easily get hurt.
• Keep records: Keeping organized records can help employers stay on top of maintenance checks and safety training. It’s easy to forget when something was last checked or when a training session was last conducted without proper records.

Accidents That Can Occur in the Workplace Due to a Lack of Safety

While the following accidents can occur even if safety standards are met, they are more likely to happen when employees aren’t properly trained and don’t have access to necessary safety gear or equipment:

• Overexertion
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Slips and falls
• Contact with moving equipment or machinery
• Getting stuck or caught in or beneath equipment or machinery
• Striking or running into stationary equipment or machinery

When employees aren’t properly trained or supervised, they may not understand how best to move their bodies when operating or moving around heavy machinery and equipment. Safety training sessions can quickly address these issues to ensure all employees know how to properly operate and utilize equipment, tools, and machinery. Guidance from a supervisor can also ensure they are moving their body to avoid straining themselves or slipping and falling around equipment.

Connect with an Experienced Mississippi and Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you are injured in a workplace accident, you should speak with a worker’s compensation attorney as soon as possible to ensure you are adequately compensated for your injuries and missed wages. Injured workers are entitled to workers’ comp benefits without the need to prove fault. However, if the injury is the direct result of an employer’s negligent actions, such as failing to properly train workers or maintain a safe environment, it might be possible to pursue further compensation.

For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Mississippi or Louisiana, contact Lunsford, Baskin, and Priebe, PLLC. After-hours visits are available.