The Occupational Safety and Health Administration prescribes safety standards specific to industries like construction, transportation and others. The federal agency also issues rules and guidelines for general industry workers in Ohio and across the country. Employers must provide safe work environments, regardless of the industry.
One of the most important rules is providing workers with adequate safety training. Furthermore, safety standards must be in place, and enforcement is crucial. The following basic safety regulations apply to all workplaces:
- Housekeeping: Keep work areas free of slip-and-trip hazards. Wet spills and randomly placed objects pose dangers that could lead to strains, sprains, lacerations and even back injuries or head trauma suffered in falls.
- Personal protective equipment: Many preventable injuries occur when employers fail to provide the necessary PPE. Furthermore, workers must receive training in the appropriate wear and care of PPE.
- Proper tools for the task: Employers must provide the right tools for each job and never allow workers to take shortcuts by using improper tools to get the job done quicker.
- Lockout/tagout procedures: Properly maintaining energized equipment could cause fatal electrocution or amputation injuries. Keep co-workers informed: Assuming that co-workers are aware of hazards or changed conditions can be deadly.
- Storing and labeling chemicals properly: OSHA prescribes the storage and labeling requirements for chemicals, and noncompliance could result in injuries, corrosion, fires and even explosions.
- Stop work to address hazards: Workers must be free to report or address safety hazards as soon as they notice dangerous conditions.
Compliance with safety regulations is the best way to prevent injuries. However, accidents will surely continue to happen. When Ohio workers are injured on-the-job, they will be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Their employers must pay for medical expenses, and workers’ compensation benefits will cover lost wages for those who suffer temporary disability.