Keeping workers safe should be a priority for employers every day. If an employer begins to cut corners when it comes to providing equipment and training or does not ensure that safety rules are being followed, workers could be at risk of being involved in an injury-causing accident. If a worker does suffer a serious injury, he or she may qualify for workers’ compensation.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, recently banned an Illinois contractor from doing excavation work and other related tasks after repeatedly exposing workers to serious hazards. The employer had apparently been fined for violations, but he did not correct those violations and continued to put workers at risk. The employer did not pay penalties set forth by OSHA, and the company apparently hindered inspections at work areas.
Excavation can cause workers to be at risk of cave-ins, machinery accidents and other serious hazards. Therefore, employers should take the proper measures to prevent such accidents. Work sites should be examined for hazards, equipment should be kept safe distances from trenches, and workers should have easily accessible means for exiting an excavation site.
Construction, excavation and other similar work can lead to severe injuries if an accident takes place on the job. If a worker is injured, it is likely the he or she will face considerable setbacks, including time for recovery, medical expenses and potentially lost income. Luckily, workers’ compensation could help qualifying parties with these setbacks. Information on obtaining such benefits in Illinois could be helpful for concerned individuals.
Source: safety.blr.com, “Illinois contractor banned from excavation work following OSHA violations“, Mar. 3, 2015