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A recent workplace accident at an Ohio manufacturing plant is a great example of why it is important for companies to provide workplace safety training to all workers.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined a New Philadelphia manufacturing company for unsafe workplace conditions. According to OSHA, this is the second time in recent months that one of the company’s workers has suffered debilitating workplace injuries. In January of 2015, a worker’s hand was crushed in a hydraulic press. Only 15 months later, a worker’s finger was severed by an unguarded pneumatic bench cutter.
OSHA fined the company and placed it on its Severe Violators Enforcement Program (SVEP). One of the reasons OSHA fined the company is because it did not train temp workers on lockout/tagout procedures needed to safely operate machinery.
Why Is Workplace Safety Training Vital to Workers?
Training programs are essential to workplace safety for the following reasons:
Teaching workers how to identify workplace hazards
Training workers how to safely use equipment needed to carry out job duties (lockout/tagout procedures or how to use respirator equipment are examples)
Workers learn how to respond to workplace hazards in the event of an emergency
Failing to train workers is an extremely common workplace safety violation. It is especially problematic among companies that hire blue-collar temp workers. According to research published by ProPublica, temp workers are much more likely to suffer injuries from workplace accidents. In many cases, these workers do not receive adequate safety training. However, training requirement violations are also a problem in the regular workforce. OSHA statistics claim it among the top 10 workplace safety violations.
Businesses cannot afford to neglect safety training. Untrained workers can suffer permanent disabilities or they may lose their lives.
Injured employees and temp workers may have options to recover workers compensation. Depending on the circumstances, additional benefits outside of the workers comp system may be possible.
The workers comp attorneys at Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC can help injured workers or their families discover available options.