OSHA Campaign for Workers’ Safety and Health

Employers in the United States have an obligation to provide a safe workplace for their employees. Workers in Pennsylvania should know that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched the Safe and Sound Campaign. It is an operation geared toward having employers review their safety and health programs to ensure that workers are sufficiently protected and to reduce workplace injuries and death.

Every year, over 4 million workers sustain grave injuries or illnesses due to their job. In addition to harming the workers and their families, the incidents also negatively affect businesses in a number of ways. Each week, companies spend $1 billion on workers’ compensation for injured workers instead of investing the money into small businesses and creating jobs. According to a regional administrator at OSHA, by recognizing and regulating the hazards that occur in the workplace and that result in injuries and illness, businesses can enhance their safety and health programs, preserving funds and increasing competitiveness in the process.

Employers have shown that safety and health programs reduce the rates of injuries and illnesses, which increases their profits. Although there are varying approaches to keeping workers safe and healthy, there are three elements all effective programs possess. They include management leadership, worker participation, and a systemic method of identifying and rectifying hazards before they result in workplace injuries.

Individuals who are injured on the job may want to consult with an attorney to explore the legal options that may be available. In addition to workers’ compensation, workplace injuries, such as arm, back, neck, brain or spine injuries, also may be compensated by settlements obtained from third-party lawsuits. An attorney who practices workers’ compensation law may review the factors surrounding the workplace incident and may work to obtain financial compensation for any medical expenses, rehabilitation and lost wages.