California workers who earn their incomes on industrial plants will likely know that they will always be exposed to multiple safety hazards. Employees who suffer on-the-job injuries may claim workers’ compensation benefits, but there are ways to reduce incidents that could cause workplace accidents. Although it is the responsibility of employers to protect the health and safety of employees, workers who look out for themselves are more likely to escape injuries.
Any worker can do a risk assessment of the area in which he or she works. This process involves exploring that space to identify potential hazards and risks. Any dangerous situations must be reported to a supervisor, and if nothing is done about it, the worker could report it to the owner of the company. However, being aware of a potential hazard may enable the employee to take precautions and stay safe.
If each worker maintains cleanliness and order in his or her surroundings, the injury risks may be lessened. Another aspect that could keep workers safe is attending all safety training exercises to help maintain vigilance. It is easy for workers with long service records to become complacent and disregard the need for yet another safety training session. This, along with a comprehensive knowledge of the safety guidelines and regulations prescribed by the California Division of Safety and Health, could avoid loss of income due to injuries.
California workers are entitled to file benefits claims with the workers’ compensation insurance program, but only if they reported their injuries to their employers promptly. There is also a time limit within which benefits claims must be filed. Some injured victims choose to seek the support and guidance of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to navigate the claims process for them.
Source: reliableplant.com, “Why You Should Conduct a Risk Assessment of Your Plant“, Jayde Ferguson, Accessed on Nov. 3, 2017