Employers and organizations have a responsibility to mitigate the risk of personal injury to their employees while on company property. When practices to promote safety in the workplace are not adhered to, it can open up the organization for civil litigation from injured workers. Read on for best practices for promoting workplace safety.
Organize and Update Chemical Safety Data Sheets
For any company or organization that handles dangerous chemicals that may cause personal injury, it is important to ensure that the relevant Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are organized and maintained. Many organizations of this nature may find they are not currently compliant with the Globally Harmonized Standard of safety communication required by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Obtaining the current and updated SDS is often as easy as going to the manufacturer’s website and downloading the relevant document. For companies with a large number of SDSs to manage, it may be worth looking into utilizing a processing service that manages the work of ensuring compliance.
Review Safety Color-Coding and Equipment Labels
If safety signs and labels are worn out and not clearly visible, it can open up an organization to potential personal injury litigation if someone is injured due to the company’s negligence. These safety labels are color-coded depending on the nature of the equipment:
- Red for fire protection equipment, danger signs, flammable liquid containers, and stop buttons/switches.
- Orange for signs and equipment that designate dangerous or energized machines and equipment.
- Yellow for specific physical personal injury hazards including falling, tripping, and striking, as well as general caution.
- Green for specific safety information and first aid equipment.
- Blue for information not directly related to safety, such as property policies.
Review and Update the Company’s Safety Program
The safety program of a company includes all the paperwork, procedures, professional development, and other documentation necessary for promoting the safety and well-being of an organization and its employees. All too often, a company can go years without reviewing their safety program.
When an accident occurs on company property and the protocols listed in the safety program are not relevant to the situation, it can open up the organization for negligence claims and litigation. Employers should be reviewing their company’s safety program at least annually.
Prepare and Maintain a Safety Training Matrix
A safety training matrix is a document that employers can use to manage the safety training of specific employees within the company. A good safety training matrix will have information such as the employee’s name, any safety training and/or certification their position requires, what date the relevant safety training was completed, and when the current safety training certification expires.
When to Contact an Attorney
When an employee suffers an accident on company property, they are likely going to want to explore their options for litigation. For years, the attorneys at H&P Law have been helping accident victims in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada fight for their rights to fair compensation after an accident. Contact H&P Law today for insight into your unique situation.
