Personal injury claims can be costly and time-consuming for businesses. From slip-and-fall accidents resulting in 8 million ER visits, to injuries from defective equipment, businesses have a responsibility to maintain safe conditions for employees and customers. Taking proactive measures can help reduce the likelihood of facing lawsuits over preventable incidents. This article outlines key steps businesses should implement.
Create and Enforce Safety Rules
Having clear, written safety policies sets expectations for safe behavior in your workplace. Include procedures for operating equipment, handling chemicals or other hazardous materials, reporting unsafe conditions, and protocols after accidents or injuries. Train all employees on rules and have supervisors consistently enforce them. Document training and track policy violations so dangerous trends can be addressed. Conduct regular safety inspections and update policies as needed. Following detailed safety rules shows you aim to prevent foreseeable harm.
Address Hazards and Fix Problems
Actively look for dangers in your facilities and promptly fix them. Pay attention to tripping hazards like uneven floors, frayed carpet, cluttered walkways, and poor lighting. Address slippery surfaces, install anti-slip floor treatments, put out “Wet Floor” signs. Ensure stairs have grip strips and handrails. Fix broken equipment and address repetitive strain injury risks with workstation adjustments. Document repairs and track changes. Leaving hazards unaddressed increases liability if injuries later occur.
Maintain and Inspect Equipment
Machinery, company vehicles, ladders, and other equipment should undergo regular maintenance, cleaning, and inspections based on manufacturers’ guidelines. Keep maintenance logs. Equipment like forklifts and pallet jacks should only be operated by trained employees. Defective equipment and improper use are common sources of employee injury suits; in fact, over 196,000 workplace injuries were linked to equipment in 2021.
Provide Protective Gear
For hazardous work, provide appropriate masks, goggles, hard hats, steel-toe boots, earplugs, protective clothing or other gear to shield employees from harm. Make sure gear meets industry standards and train workers on proper use. Even with safety rules, hazards exist in many workplaces. Providing protective equipment shows you aim to safeguard those unavoidable risks.
Get Liability Insurance and Follow Reporting Procedures
Carry adequate commercial general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, product liability coverage, and other relevant policies. Reporting procedures for incidents and injuries should be clear and aligned to insurer requirements. This ensures problems get properly documented and are not excluded due to technicalities. Review policies annually and when operations change. Staying properly insured gives a level of financial protection if you do face claims.
What Employees Should Do After a Workplace Injury
Despite best efforts, workplace accidents still occur. If you have experienced an accident at work, you should immediately report your injuries to your supervisor and seek medical care to get documentation for the incident. Reporting promptly can be essential for workers’ compensation and insurance claims. Next, reach out to a personal injury lawyer if you feel as though the accident could and should have been prevented.
Implementing strong safety protocols requires effort but pays dividends through reduced risk. Going above and beyond basic compliance shows customers and employees you value their well-being. While claims can still happen, following these guidelines puts businesses in a more defensible position and builds a culture of safety.
