labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Many people may not realize how accidents such as slips, trips, and falls affect Florida worker safety.  This sort of accident is much more than simply an annoyance. Slips, trips, and falls are a common cause of workplace fatalities. In fact, only driving accidents involving employees resulted in more fatalities than slips, trips, and falls. In 2005, the most recent full year for which statistics are available, 732 workers died after falling at the jobsite. Driving accidents resulted in 1,258 employee deaths.

Florida worker safety is overseen by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, also known as OSHA. Each year, millions of workplace accidents are investigated by OSHA. Accidents in the workplace are the last thing either an employer or an employee wants. An accident can result in the employee not only experiencing pain, but also he or she may have to miss work and pay expensive medical bills. In addition, sometimes workplace accidents result in lawsuits.

The statistics regarding the number of workplace accidents are surprising. In 2005, the total number of accidents that occurred in the workplace was 4,214,200. These accidents resulted in 1,234,700 days of work missed by injured employees. Tragically, of that number, 5,702 employees died as a result of an accident in the workplace. Moreover, although these numbers may seem high, they do not include the figures for paramedics, firefighters, police, and other types of government workers. The accident figures for employees of non-profit organizations are not included either.

Statistics also show that 503,530 employees were involved in workplace accidents that caused sprains, tears, and strains. The total number of employees who hurt their backs during 2005 was 270,890. Finally, 255,750 employees were injured when they fell at work.

It’s easy to understand why businesses need to have safety programs in place at work. To prevent and reduce accidents, employers should remind employees to exercise care and to follow crucial safety techniques. One way OSHA helps employers is by proving the OSHA Workplace Safety Pack, which includes helpful information.

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