Is My Boss Responsible for Safety Training?

Handling hazardous chemicals is one of the most dangerous aspects of an industrial workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has strict requirements for employee training, including personal protective equipment (PPE), labeling and transportation procedures to minimize worker exposure.

Seeler Industries Inc. provides storage, transfer and packaging services for bulk chemicals, both liquid and dry. Its workers handle hazardous chemicals daily, putting them at an increased risk for health problems linked to long-term exposure.

OSHA inspected the company’s Joliet, Illinois facility in February. Its investigation uncovered 19 willful and serious health violations, carrying proposed penalties of $134,400.

Seeler’s management failed to label hazardous chemicals with identifying information or exposure warnings. As a result, employees were already being exposed to chemicals at higher levels than OSHA permits.

Seeler also failed to provide an effective hazardous chemical training program, which teaches workers about important safety procedures, symptoms of exposure and emergency procedures for addressing spills and leaks. Without proper training, every worker faced an increased risk of harmful exposure.

Is Safety Training a Requirement?

OSHA requires every employer to provide the training and equipment employees need to do their jobs safely. This is especially true with hazardous chemicals, several of which can cause cancer, kidney problems, chronic lung disease and other permanent health problems.

If you are being forced to work in hazardous conditions, your rights are being violated. Do not allow your employer’s negligence to endanger your health. Call Larrimer & Larrimer today to discuss your workers’ comp claim with one of our experienced attorneys.

Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus Workers Comp Attorneys