Workplace safety is a priority of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. Governor Rendell is committed to the goal of reducing workplace injuries and illnesses in Pennsylvania. Good safety makes good sense for the worker, business, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Being mindful of what is happening at all times and sticking to the safety rules is what all workplaces should automatically do. In various workplaces there are different types of rules, for example, if it is a worksite/laboratory/warehouse, there will need to be safety masks worn at all times to prevent inhalation of chemicals. It is up to the managers to buy 9320 masks online, or have them shipped from a supplier to keep their employees fit and healthy to work.

Providing a safe work environment for Pennsylvania’s workers requires a complete commitment by employers and employees. Let’s say we took the same example where there is a workplace with employees who will be working around potentially dangerous chemicals. Firstly, if interested, they might want to check this out, a natural gas leak detector. While natural gases can be non-toxic at the workplaces, they can go undetected and displace with oxygen, if there happens to be any leakage. In the most extreme cases, it can also cause death by suffocation. Therefore, initially, along with setting up the right equipment, the employees should be provided with proper training and safety training, as well as include the likes of eye washing facilities you can see on a site like Storemasta, in case an employee was to endure chemical exposure to their eyes. Workplace safety is a major issue for employers and employees alike. For this reason, Governor Rendell has instituted a new workplace safety initiative called WorkSAFE PA ® “Promoting Pennsylvania Workplace Safety”.

The mission and function of the WorkSAFE PA is to provide Pennsylvania employers and employees with the information and technical assistance needed to develop comprehensive safety practices in the workplace. It will also recognize successful employer-employee joint safety programs, which result in the achievement of safety excellence.

At the Department of Labor and Industry, many resources provide a coordinated effort to ensure workplace safety throughout the Pennsylvania.

There are four main components to the WorkSAFE PA include:

  • A community forum to review safety-related policies, programs, and legislation to make Pennsylvania a safer place to live and work.
  • Technical assistance and training
  • Outreach through conferences, speaking engagements, literature, and the Internet.
  • Recognition annually of select companies that demonstrate safety excellence through comprehensive safety programs and labor management cooperation.

A workplace safety initiative cannot be a successful on its own. A commitment from public and private sectors must work together to further reduce the number of workplace injuries and illnesses.

Here are some questions to include when performing a workplace safety accident investigation:

  • Who was involved in the accident?
  • Were there any witnesses?
  • Where and when did the accident occur (specific location and time)?
  • Was there a fatality?
  • What injuries were sustained and by whom?
  • What was the victim doing at the time of the accident?
  • Was the victim authorized and qualified to do this operation?
  • Were approved procedures being followed?
  • Was the victim familiar with the job and procedures?
  • Is the job or process new to the area?
  • Were proper tools or equipment being used?
  • Was the proper supervision being provided?
  • Had the victim received hazard potential training prior to the accident?
  • What was the location of the accident?
  • What was the physical condition of the area when the accident occurred?
  • If there were witnesses, what were they doing at the time of the accident?
  • What immediate or temporary action could have prevented the accident or minimized its effect?
  • What long-term or permanent action could have prevented the accident or minimized its effect?
  • Had corrective action been recommended in the past but not adopted?
  • What equipment or property was damaged?
  • Did the accident involve a motor vehicle?
  • Did the employee exhibit any behavioral or physical signs or symptoms of drug or alcohol impairment?

Other questions may be needed, depending on the accident. If you or a loved one has been involved in a Pennsylvania workplace safety accident, you may be eligible for a settlement. Contact a PA Workers Compensation Lawyer experienced with workplace safety accidents.

(Source: Pennsylvania Labor & Industry Department)