labor lawAdivision of labor law center

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics tells us that millions of work-related injuries are investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) each year.  Records of injuries and deaths that happen in the workplace are maintained by the OSHA on an annual basis.  Workplace safety in each state has to be regulated, and OSHA is in charge of worker safety and health in the state of Ohio.  Injuries and deaths that happen on job sites are more common than you might think.

According to Ohio worker safety statistics, 503,530 people endured tears, strains or sprains as a result of workplace accidents.  In addition to those injuries, 270,890 people hurt their back in a job-related accident.  People slip, trip and fall all the time.  Most people don’t consider falling or tripping a life threatening experience, but the figures for 2005 (the most current statistics we have) show that 732 people died because of a fall that happened on the job.  The complete figure for job-related falls is 255,750.  Work related driving accidents claimed the most lives, with a tragic 1,258 casualties.

On source for reader friendly health and safety information is the OSHA Workplace Safety Pack.  It has three posters (Workstation Safety Tips, Lifting Safety, and Slips, Trips, and Falls) and information on ergonomics.  It is a great idea for all employers to have the safety pack at their business.  Every employee should be trained and informed about safety techniques, proper procedures, and the importance of safety and not cutting corners.

I am sure that most employers and employees don’t plan to fall and hurt themselves, but these things happen all too often.  It is very easy to get comfortable at a job that you have done for several years, but no one should get comfortable with taking shortcuts and compromising safety and health in the workplace. 

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