How can employee safety training prevent injuries?
Most individuals go to work every day expecting to work in a safe environment. Not only is this a normal expectation, it is a fundamental right of all workers. If they are denied this right, employees are more likely to suffer an injury or a work-related illness. One way for employers to ensure their employees have a safe workplace is to establish and implement employee safety training programs.
Unfortunately, many companies have ineffective or even non-existent safety training programs. While this can jeopardize the safety of all workers, new employees are more frequently injured in workplace accidents or suffer from work-related illnesses.
What is the role of OSHA?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide safety training related to an employee’s particular tasks as soon as he or she begins the job. This training must meet a number of different standards, all of which must ensure that work is performed in a safe manner. Workers also must be forewarned of the potential of exposure to hazards in the workplace.
In short, training and education are crucial for a strong injury and illness prevention program. Such programs often help employers identify and resolve workplace hazards before workers are injured, and can also reduce the number and severity of workplace injuries and illnesses.
Common Elements of Safety Training
According to OHSA, an effective safety training program includes the following elements:
- Management leadership
- Worker participation
- Hazard identification, prevention and control
- Education and training
- Program evaluation and improvement
Moreover, the best method of safety training is either classroom or one-on-one instruction that is in-depth and covers safety issues related to the employee’s position.
What are workers’ rights?
Workers have the right to:
- Work in a safe environment
- Be covered by workers’ compensation insurance
- File a workers’ comp claim
- Receive medical treatment
- Receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Have a hearing
- File an appeal
In sum, workplace injuries and illnesses can often be prevented if workers are provided with effective safety training. Nevertheless, some accidents are inevitable and workers can and do sometimes suffer injuries. If you have been involved in a workplace accident and have questions about your rights to receive benefits, you should consult with a qualified attorney with expertise in workers’ compensation law.