Employers Should Have Plans in Place to Keep Workers Safe

Injuries at work can happen for many different reasons. While in some cases employees may make poor choices that cause them to be injured, it is common for workers’ injuries to result from the failure of their employers to provide safe working conditions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration suggests that employers have plans in place that cover worker safety.

Plans to prevent injuries and illnesses at work are generally multi-faceted. They may include an agreement from the employer’s management to ensure that the plan is followed, and it may include direct participation from employees to be aware of what is going on. Safety plans should include ways for workplace hazards to be identified and remedied, and protocol for how to safely perform common tasks taken on by employees.

According to OSHA, around 12 American workers lose their lives while doing their jobs each day. This means that more than 4,380 individuals die every year while trying to earn a living and provide for their loved ones. An additional 4 million workers suffer injuries while at work and all of these individuals may lose the income they need to survive.

Employers have a vested interest in keeping their employees safe and free from injuries and illness while they are at work. Keeping workers out of harm’s way may save employers money and may keep individuals in their jobs where they are effective. Maintaining a safety and health plan at a place of employment is a good step toward prioritizing the well-being of the employer’s workers.