Employers in California need to make sure they have a work safety program in place, or else their employees will not know what hazards to look out for, report and address. Below are eight tips that every employee should be clear about. It all starts with being aware of one’s surroundings and the various risks presented by, for example, heavy machinery or debris cluttering the floor.
Correct posture is the second tip as workers can easily injure themselves if they sit for a prolonged time with a bad posture or lift with their back and not with their legs. If necessary, they should use a forklift or wheelbarrow to aid in lifting. This ties in with the third step: Never take shortcuts. Employees must use the right tool or machine for every job.
Fourth, workers should always take the breaks that are given them since fatigue can cause them to become inattentive to their surroundings. Next, they must be up-to-date on new safety procedures, especially if the company installs new machinery.
The emergency exits should be kept clear of ladders, trolley carts and so on. If any unsafe conditions exist, these are to be reported immediately. The last tip is to always wear the right personal protective equipment. PPE can range from earplugs and safety glasses to chemical suits.
Injured workers, regardless of whether they were at fault or not, may be eligible for benefits that cover some of their losses, including all of their medical expenses. It means pursuing a workers’ compensation case, which can be a complicated thing to do without legal help. Victims may want a lawyer to take on every aspect of it. He or she may also explain the two ways one can settle: a stipulation and award, and a compromise and release.
