Tag Archives: negligence

General Safety Issues

FIVE COMMON CAUSES OF FIRE IN THE WORKPLACE (GUEST POST)

 

Knowing how to prevent fires and what to do in the event that a fire does break out is one of the most important components of workplace safety. In order to have a truly safe workplace, it is absolutely crucial that you understand what factors and circumstances can lead to fires, and then take active steps to ensure that you eliminate the risk of fires as much as possible. Here are five common causes of fire in the workplace with which all employees should familiarise themselves (list provided by FireandSafetyAustralia). Once you understand well the common causes of fires, you will be better able to identify steps that can be taken in order to prevent them. 

Faulty electrics 

Faulty electrics such as wiring, adaptors and power boards are very often responsible for disastrous fires. This is a particular risk in old buildings that have been poorly maintained. Ensure that you have a qualified electrician assess your electrics, and at the first sign of any faults such as frayed wiring have a professional rectify the problem immediately. Adaptors, power boards and plug points should never be overloaded, and when in doubt you should not hesitate to seek the advice of a qualified electrician. Ensure that safety switches and the appropriate fuses are installed by a professional. Because of the potential for danger, any electrical problems must be addressed immediately. 

Flammable materials 

Extra caution must be exercised when there are flammable materials on or near the premises. When handling or storing flammable materials, it is of the utmost importance that all the necessary safety precautions are observed, and that the prescribed procedures for storing such substances are strictly followed. For instance, when storing liquids that are flammable and combustible, appropriate storage containers must be used and only the allowable quantities and sizes should be permitted. When disposing of flammable materials, care must also be taken to follow all safety guidelines. 

Human error 

Your employees are not robots, and human error is inevitable no matter what kind of work your employees are doing. You should always pre-empt any accidents and put in place safeguards and emergency procedures to be followed should something go wrong. For instance, all staff should be educated as to the proper procedure to follow should an employee spill a flammable liquid or accidentally damage wiring. 

Negligence  

While some degree of human error is to be expected in any enterprise, many people fail to consider that gross negligence is also a possibility. Albeit a more distant possibility it is one that can yield disastrous results. You should do all you can to lower the likelihood of negligent behaviour. For instance, employees should be constantly reminded that flammable or waste material should never be kept near heat sources not only verbally but also through the use of prominent signage. 

Crime 

Sadly, fires are sometimes caused by deliberate antisocial behaviour. Arson or vandalism can be carried out not only by strangers but also people known to you such as disgruntled former employees. While it can be difficult to pre-empt such behaviour, it is important to be vigilant, especially when your workplace is particularly vulnerable, for instance because flammable materials are stored on the premises. If your workplace is identified as a dangerous or vulnerable location, it is necessary to maintain tight security at all times. It might be necessary to employ security personnel to be on the premises twenty four-seven, and to ensure that the identity of all persons entering the premises is verified. 

While fires are usually impossible to pre-empt, if you make a conscious effort to ensure that all precautions are taken, you will be able to effectively reduce the risk of fire at your workplace. As it is impossible for laymen to accurately pinpoint the fire safety needs of your particular workplace, it is recommended to seek advice of experts or consult government guidelines. You should never compromise safety for convenience, not least because the lives of your employees depend on your efforts to maintain a safe workplace.

Our thanks to Toni-Louise Forsyth, for sharing these fire safety procedures. pb

General Safety Issues

WHY HEALTH AND SAFETY IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR BUSINESS (GUEST POST)

Whether you’re in a management position with a multi-million pound (or dollar) corporation, or whether you own a small business that employs only a handful of staff, health and safety should rank high on your priority list, and not only because of legal obligations. 

It is unfortunate that many employers do not consider Health and Safety to be a pressing issue. There seems to be the mentality that it doesn’t matter if an employee suffers an injury at work as the business does have adequate insurance in place, should that employee decide to sue you in court, which they more than likely will do. 

The point of the matter is that the effects of that original negligent act can be far reaching. The injured employee may not be able to continue with the same career path and could therefore be left jobless, which may affect their personal life should they have a mortgage or rent to pay. Then there is also the issue of dependencies, i.e. children/partner/spouse/parents who rely on the income from the employee.  

Ironic, because the accident most probably could have been prevented at a very low cost.
 
In a perfect world, business owners and all companies would put the welfare of their employees first, but unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world, especially when one considers just how “profit driven” the business world really is.

This is exactly why past governments introduced legislation regarding health and safety. One of these requirements involves carrying out a regular health and safety risk assessment. These assessments can be done by the business owner, any designated employee or employees, or else by way of a third party firm specialising in this field.

While there are no real hard and fast rules pertaining to the actual minimum requirements or standards, it is every employer’s responsibility to ensure their assessments are at least worth something. Inspectors who may call to see your company can and will make recommendations if they feel more could have been done, but that’s basically where it ends. Should you choose to ignore such advice, and something does go wrong, full responsibility lies with you the business owner, rather than with any inspector.  Also, if a court decides your company’s health and safety risk assessment was inadequate,  your insurance company may be closing their door in your face.

To put it mildly, health and safety is a serious issue, and it needs to be viewed as such. If a business is small enough to justify doing their own assessments, or perhaps get one of their staff members to do them, then at the very least they should make sure suitable training is provided.

Author Bio
This article was provided by http://www.safetywearworld.co.uk/. Safety Wear World has written numerous articles on home improvement, DIY and health and safety in the workplace. 

We appreciate our friends in the United Kingdom for contribuing to our safety blog. pb

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Protective Clothing, Respiratory Safety

UNASSUMING WORKPLACE DANGERS: PROTECTION MEASURES (GUEST POST)

Many industrial manufacturers did not understand for many years that there are more dangers in the work place than mere physical problems. Obvious safety hazards were eventually addressed as occupational safety agencies were established in each state, but the emphasis on airborne safety hazards were the last to receive proper attention. Much of this attention began in the court system when workers who were breathing toxic chemicals began to file suit. Rules have been established since that time to help workers working in hazardous chemical breathing spaces, but the contamination possibilities still exist in specific workplaces and still calamities occur.

1. Occupational Breathing Hazards

Companies that have potentially toxic breathing spaces now routinely require breathing protection for workers in the affected area. Full breathing masks are required in some industries like asbestos abatement. Asbestos is the classic hazardous material that was outlawed during the 1970s when its toxic properties became apparent. The form of cancer produced by asbestos often takes 20 years to manifest. This discovery also revealed the fact that many other chemicals can produce lung injuries. Protective work wear is now regularly ordered by the state OSHA agencies and all companies know when they need some form of breathing protection. 

2. Occupational Skin Hazards

Occupational skin disorders or injuries account for approximately half of all workplace injuries. Diagnoses of these injuries are normally done through medical testing, but workers in similar areas of employment can often recognize the damage visually. This is particularly true of the food industry, as this is by far the most common industry resulting in various skin injuries. The food industry includes a wide range of manufacturing processes, often beginning with animal slaughtering and including contact with pesticides by production workers. Construction workers are also subject to skin cancer over the life of their career, which can be a problematic legal situation when filing a claim. An injury that appears as a rash can often be much more serious, and may be the result of negligence on the part of an employer. So if you were to find yourself caught in a predicament, you will need to take decisive action to ensure your claim is not looked over by your employer.

Proving Long Term Negligence

Many skin or breathing disorders sustained in employment occur over long periods of time. Even when employers have followed occupational safety standard rules, including measurement logs, negligence can still be validated in court by an experienced and effective bad faith personal injury lawyer. Some injuries are obvious and the body reacts quickly. These are relatively easier cases to prove, but are usually isolated incidents. Cases that involve multiple incidents of breathing or skin disorders give the personal injury professional more evidence to present in court, including the possibility of a class action legal motion. Personal injuries that are the result of negligence are determined under the preponderance standard and are effectively a 51-49 measurement of evidence. 

Researcher Nickey Williams contributes this article for work safety awareness. The lawyers of Doyle Raizner LLP go the distance to help those with employment injuries wade through the claims process with their insurance carriers, such as workers compensation Liberty Mutual. Having legal representation during these stressful situations can help you keep your focus and make sure nothing that works in your favor is omitted.   

Note: Employers should take all safety precautions for their workers who are exposed to breathing hazards, and other risky work.  Texas America Safety has a vast array of quality breathing, skin, and glove protection.

 

 

General Safety Issues

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN HIRING A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER (GUEST POST)

Motorcycle accidents have become quite common over the past few years. Being involved in a motorcycle crash can leave you with serious injuries. These accidents can also be fatal. If you have suffered a motorcycle accident because of the fault or negligence of another individual, there are ways you can receive compensation for the damages and injuries you have suffered. Filing a personal injury lawsuit will help you gain monetary damages. 

In order to file the file the lawsuit in Florida and to receive compensation, you would need to hire a Miami motorcycle accident lawyer. The expert guidance of your lawyer will help you understand the right way of going about filing and winning the suit. However, you need to be wise when choosing the attorney. There are several factors that you need to remember when picking the right attorney.   

Make sure the lawyer is honest: Many lawyers offer initial consultations. You must use this offer wisely. You need to meet with the prospective lawyers in person and discuss your case. In this initial consultation, you would need to determine whether the lawyer is forthcoming and honest. Some people can determine the character of a person within minutes of interaction. There are also a few characteristics that can give you some insights into the actual nature of the person. For example, those who talk looking into your eyes exude confidence. 

The discussion will let the lawyer know more about your case and he/she will be able to tell you how good your chances are of winning the suit. An honest lawyer will let you know your actual chances and will not give you false hopes. The lawyer will also discuss the various aspects of the case and find out ways that will help you win compensation. An incompetent lawyer will hurt your case. That is why you need to make sure you go for the right one. 

Make sure the lawyer is responsive and thorough: The initial consultation will also let you know whether the legal professional is thorough about his work and responsive to your requirements. In that case, you would need to rely on your instincts a bit. a good lawyer won’t mind answering your questions about the case and he/she will be available for you if you have any queries. If you feel you would not be comfortable working with a particular lawyer, you must not choose them. 

These were just some of the factors that you would need to consider when picking the lawyer for the case. 

Author Bio: Rob Baptist’s epertise in personal injury law. He uses to share his experiences by writing online blogs and articles. In this article he shares factors while considering a motorcycle accident lawyer in Miami.

 Note:  Thanks for this excellent advice. There are many ways to avoid motorcycle accidents; first, by driving safely, and second, by wearing the appropriate gear.  You can find gloves, high-visibility vests, and more at tasco-safety.com.