No matter what role employees play in Connecticut businesses, there are always chances that a worker could suffer an injury or illness. For example, a worker who sits at a desk could develop carpal tunnel due to repetitive movements while a construction worker could nearly miss falling from heights. Regardless of the types of risks different employees face, generally only the injuries that actually occur, and not the mere misses, are recordable to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Essentially, an accident or injury must occur before the incident can be investigated. All work injuries are treated the same. However, an increasing number of safety advocates argue that focusing on the prevention of injuries is more important and more effective. Prevention programs attempt to identify the risks that could result in serious injuries or fatalities before they occur.
In order to identify the potential risks that could result in harm, company safety professionals need to involve their workers. This includes talking to employees about what risks they face, what additional protections they need and if they feel comfortable in pointing out potential risks and breakdowns in the system. Managers who go out and attempt to experience the risks that employees face will not only be more likely to fix the problem quickly but are also likely to build trust with their employees.
Although most employers make attempts to ensure that the workplace is safe for their employees, accidents can occur. In these cases, workers’ compensation could cover an employee’s medical costs and a portion of his or her wages if the injury required a prolonged absence from work. However, the process of obtaining workers’ compensation benefits can be complicated to some workers, and thus they might want to have the help of an attorney in preparing and submitting the required claim.
