6 common workplace safety violations

Your job can become much more difficult when your employer is not vigilant about keeping your workplace safe.

Employers have workplace safety obligations. If your employer ignores those obligations, you could end up suffering serious injuries. If that happens, you may need medical attention for your injuries and workers’ compensation for the financial repercussions.

Employer workplace safety violations

In some cases, safety violations occur because employers are trying to cut costs or because an employer is not aware of a hazard. Nonetheless, it is the duty of the employer to know when hazards exist and know what steps they and workers can take to minimize the risks associated with the hazard.

The following violations are common in various workplaces:

• Employers not providing proper fall protection
• Employers failing to ensure that scaffolding meets standards and is secure
• Employers not providing safety training for workers who must use scaffolding
• Employers allowing uncertified or untrained workers to operate heavy equipment
• Employers failing to provide proper eye and face protection
• Employers not communicating the existence of hazards or not ensuring that employees know how to communicate about existing hazards

These are just a few of the many very real issues that could exist in a work environment that could lead to serious accidents and injuries.

What can you do after an accident?

Reporting a work-related accident as soon as possible is a wise step. If injuries occur, seeking medical attention is also a prudent course of action. A medical exam ensures the proper treatment of any obvious injuries. A doctor also could find less-obvious injuries.

Medical bills, lost wages and other financial difficulties can result from an on-the-job accident, so pursuing workers’ compensation benefits may be the best course of action.