Workers in Florida should know that one of the standards for which worksites are cited for most frequently by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is that for respiratory protection. The OSHA estimates that five million workers in 1.3 million workplaces in the United States are required to wear respirators. Respirators protect the workers in shops from hazardous mists, vapors, dust, gases and sprays. If workers do not wear the protective respirators, they can incur lung impairment, cancer and even die from the effects of the harmful materials they breathe in. Employers should make sure that workers are wearing respirators when necessary.
Another standard for which worksites are commonly cited is related to control of hazardous energy and lockout/tagout procedures. Workers who have to work with machines or equipment can be severely injured or even killed if there is no proper control of hazardous energy. Accidents in which hazardous energy is the cause make up 10 percent of the serious accidents in several industries. Implementing the appropriate lockout/tagout procedures correctly can help protect workers from hazardous energy incidents.
Worksites also commonly receive citations regarding violations of the ladder standard. Ladders should be closely inspected. All damaged ladders should be immediately removed from service to avoid accidents. It is also important that workers have the appropriate type of ladders for completing their work tasks.
An attorney who practices workers’ compensation law might assist workers injured while on the job with pursuing their workers’ compensation claim. The attorney may guide clients who have sustained occupational diseases or work-related broken bones through the process of filing a claim. Clients might be assisted with obtaining the necessary documentation, such as medical reports. If necessary, assistance may be provided for appealing claims that were denied or settlements with insufficient amounts.
