Greenville Corporation Issues Safety Resolutions to Prevent Workplace Injuries
South Carolina workplace injuries continue to cost both employers and injured workers millions of dollars every year.
South Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws are there for our protection, but they can be difficult to navigate in order to get the full and proper amount of financial compensation an injured worker deserves. Aside from that, companies see their profits drop when they have to pay for accidents that injure to their workers. Some companies shrug off safety concerns and choose to fight injury claims, while others see more benefit in accident prevention.
Work-related injuries and fatalities are far more common than you might think. In fact, almost 4 million reports of workplace injuries in the U.S. were recorded last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Cintas Corporation, which operates facilities in and around Greenville, makes first-aid and safety products and are taking pro-active steps in reducing those numbers.
Cintas’ Top Safety Resolutions for 2012
Perform regular audits of workplace safety initiatives:
Benchmark safety programs to establish a baseline of performance. Once this has occurred, regularly audit the program to ensure it is working. Solicit feedback from employees and work with third-party organizations to pinpoint areas that work well and/or need improvement.
Set a zero-injury goal:
Studies show that workplaces with more active employee engagement programs are less likely to have accidents and that reducing the frequency of incidents allows worker productivity to remain high. To achieve a culture of safety, create prevention programs that exceed compliance regulations. Engage employees in the safety process by having them lead committees and facilitate safety audits.
Offer training classes that engage employees:
Blended training programs that incorporate adult learning principles with traditional and technology-mediated learning is more likely to capture the attention of employees, and in turn, be more successful. In addition to adjusting meeting formats, focus the content of safety meetings on topics of interest to employees.
Raise awareness of leading causes of workplace injuries:
Overexertion from excessive lifting, falling objects and slip and fall injuries are among the most common reported workplace incidents. Ensure that employees understand the conditions that lead to common injuries and the potential hazards associated with not following protocol. For example, to reduce slip and fall incidents, train personnel to clear excess liquid and objects from the floors immediately.
Implement a first-aid cabinet:
Having a first-aid cabinet in the workplace ensures emergency response can occur quickly in the event of an injury or illness. Cabinets provide a centralized location for bandages, aspirin and antibiotic ointment so employees know where to go should an accident occur. This also makes it easier to maintain inventory and keep track of items that need restocking.
If you have been hurt on the job, you need to contact an experienced Greenville workers’ compensation lawyer. The lawyers at Harris & Graves have represented injured workers throughout South Carolina, including Greenville, Columbia, Anderson, Spartanburg, Rock Hill, Sumter, Orangeburg, Florence, Conway, and Myrtle Beach.
Workplace injuries can be severe and sometimes fatal. They can cause life-altering disabilities and chronic pain. Don’t settle for less than you need and deserve when you are hurt at work.
Contact the South Carolina personal injury lawyers at Harris & Graves today for FREE LEGAL ADVICE about workers’ compensation and work-related injuries.
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