When you go to work, you may not be thinking about the various ways you could end up with painful and potentially debilitating injuries. There are some jobs that come with an increased chance of injuries, and if you have one of these jobs, you need to know what risks you are facing and how to avoid injury. Every Minnesota worker deserves to know how to stay as safe as reasonably possible.
Workplace injuries can happen for many reasons, and they are often avoidable with caution and the implementation of certain safety measures. Your employer has the responsibility of making sure you have what you need to avoid injury, whether that is training or safety equipment. If you did suffer an injury while at work, it is possible that you have grounds to pursue financial support through a workers’ compensation claim.
Ways to stay safe
One important step for every employer is to carefully evaluate the potential risks faced by employees. By looking at job requirements, environmental factors, types of equipment used and more, it will be easier to identify which safety steps are necessary for your specific type of workplace. Some of the most common work-related safety concerns include:
- Lack of fall protection for those working from heights or on elevated surfaces
- Improperly assembled or insecure scaffolding
- Lack of measures to ensure machines and equipment stop operating after an accident
- Lack of training for the use of power equipment and large trucks
- Failure to provide necessary protective equipment, such as eye protection, harnesses and more
- Lack of training on how to avoid falls
In addition to being aware of safety concerns and taking steps to reduce workplace accidents, most employers must have workers’ compensation insurance. This means you have the ability to seek financial support if you do suffer an injury because of your job.
What to do after an accident
After an accident, you may find it beneficial to act quickly to learn about the legal options available to you. This includes filing a workers’ compensation claim. This can help you recoup some of your lost wages and costs associated with any medical bills you accumulated after your injury. If you are unsure of where to start, you may want to seek a detailed explanation of your employer’s procedures and your rights as an injured employee.
