Posted: June 15, 2021
National Safety Month is an annual observance created by the National Safety Council. Celebrating its 25th year, the purpose of this month is to provide employers with the tools and resources they need to ensure workers are educated about workplace safety. The observance of National Safety Month serves the dual purpose of providing workers with information about their rights, ways to report safety violations, and actions they may be entitled to when injured on the job.
Common Workplace Safety Violations
Safety standards are in place to help protect workers from avoidable injury and illness. Sadly, many employers place profit and expediency over the health and safety of their workforce.
According to OSHA, “Far too many preventable injuries and illnesses occur in the workplace.” To combat this, workplace inspectors are sent to various job sites every year, where they record all present workplace safety violations.
OSHA reports that the most common safety violations that result in citations involve:
- Fall Protection (construction)
- Hazard Communication Standard (general industry)
- Respiratory Protection (general industry)
- Scaffolding [General Requirements] (construction)
- Ladders (construction)
- Control of Hazardous Energy [Lockout/Tagout] (general industry)
- Powered Industrial Trucks (general industry)
- Fall Protection [Training Requirements]
- Eye and Face Protection
- Machinery and Machine Guarding (general requirements)
Many of these workplace hazards increase the risk for serious or even fatal injury. But what are your options when your workplace has not been cited or when an injury involves a risk that is not as common?
Workers’ Compensation vs. Personal Injury
Injured workers typically have two options for compensation:
- Workers’ Compensation: a no-fault insurance that provides a portion of a workers’ weekly wage along with compensation for all medical expenses
- Personal Injury Claim: a civil action that seeks compensation for injury resulting from someone else’s negligence
A clear choice is not always provided between these two types of compensation. It is a good idea to talk to an attorney about your case to learn more about your options and to ensure you are choosing the best solution for your needs.
Call Us for a Free Consultation
If you have been injured on the job, call Shapiro & Sternlieb, LLC at 732-617-8050 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your rights. We serve Englishtown and all surrounding areas of New Jersey.
