Reducing the Risk of Injuries in Ohio Workplace Environments

A discount store chain in Cincinnati has recently been asked to ensure its locations adhere to federal health and safety  in order to reduce the risk of staff accidents and injuries at work. All employers have the responsibility of providing a safe environment for their workers, and this must include eliminating potential hazards, and ensuring workers have the proper safety equipment to protect them. While workers compensation can ease the financial stress caused by an accident or injury at work, physical recovery may be slow and returning to work can be overwhelming. By adhering to federal and state regulations, employers in Ohio can protect their workers from incurring injuries in the first place, whether they are working in a retail store, on a hazardous production line or in a home office.

 

 

While hazards vary from workplace to another, every industry poses certain risks of injury and accident. Accidents can result in life-changing injuries that place workers in a very stressful situation and keeping them from harm at work is every employer’s responsibility.  To offer further support to one group of workers in Ohio, OSHA launched a program last year to protect permanent and seasonal food production workers. These workers are particularly vulnerable to accidents at work and have been experiencing very high rates of serious injury, including fractures and amputations, compared to the rest of the manufacturing industry.  As part of the Local Emphasis Program, OSHA worked with a number of stakeholders to raise occupational health and safety awareness through safety presentations and free consultations to ensure safety standards are always met. 

 

 

According to a recent survey using data from the Census Bureau, almost 1 in 5 people in Hamilton County now work from home at least some of the time. Managers have less control over workers’ home environments and it can be harder for employees to recognize work-related injuries such as repetitive strain or back pain. Nevertheless, the OSH act applies to injuries incurred whilst working from home just as it does to accidents and injuries that occur in other formal workplaces.  Remote workers are also entitled to compensation but, according to a new Ohio law, only for injuries caused by employment activities. Workers can also take steps to minimize the risks associated with working in their own home. One of the most common workplace injuries experienced by sedentary office workers is back pain but this risk can be reduced through the use of ergonomic furniture and taking regular breaks from sitting.

 

Employers in Ohio must meet federal and state laws that aim to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries in the workplace.  These regulations cover all employers whether they are working in high risk environments such as manufacturing or food production or in the relative safety of their own home. In addition, any worker who incurs an injury while undertaking work activities is potentially entitled to compensation.