Going to work is a necessity for most California residents. They need the income generated by their hard work to ensure their livelihood and the livelihood of their families. Unfortunately, workplace injuries could easily put that livelihood in jeopardy, which is why is it important to work to prevent injuries whenever possible.
Employers have a substantial responsibility to create a safe work environment for employees. Though some jobs have inherent risks, employers can provide training and implement safety measures to ensure that those risks are not more hazardous than necessary. Additionally, workers can do their part by paying attention during training, practicing safety measures and pointing out safety concerns to management. These concerns do not have to be blatant hazards either as fatigue and pain while working could point to safety issues within the work environment.
Often, numerous safety measures can be put in place to help better ensure the well-being of workers. For example, machinery and tools should have the proper guards to lessen the likelihood of injuries while using them. Additionally, carrying out hazard assessments periodically could help employers find and remedy hazards in the workplace before they result in injuries.
In many cases, on-the-job accidents are preventable. Of course, not every California worker can avoid workplace injuries because even preventable accidents do happen regularly. If individuals do suffer harm while on the job, they may qualify for workers’ compensation. These benefits could help cover certain costs, such as medical expenses and lost wages, while the worker recovers from the injuries. However, obtaining these benefits is not always easy, and having legal assistance throughout the application process may be wise.
