Employers in Georgia have a duty to provide safe environments for their employees. The most common types of workplace accidents include slips and trips, vehicle-related accidents, being caught in machinery, fire accidents and overexertion or injuries due to repetitive stress. Trips, slips and falls make up one-third of workplace injuries; they are among the most common causes of workers’ compensation claims.
The keys for employers to minimize workplace slip-and-fall accidents are quality walking surfaces, proper footwear and good housekeeping. Accidents related to vehicles are the most common fatal workplace accidents in agriculture, and they can be devastating in other industries as well. Risk reduction begins with assessing which employees are at risk for a vehicle accident, whether on the road or in the workplace, and at what times the risks are greatest.
Employees can also be severely injured at work if they get caught in work machinery or equipment. Machines should be equipped with protective guards. Most hazards that are mechanical occur at the point of power transmission or the point of operation of the machine.
Fires and explosions make up 3 percent of injuries at work. They have the highest rate of fatality of common workplace accidents. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says the hazard communication standards it recommends can help employees avoid explosion and fire injuries.
Injuries to the employee due to overexertion or repetitive stress are the most expensive workplace injuries overall, costing employers $7.4 billion each year according to estimates. In a case where a worker is injured on the job, he or she may be entitled to funds from the workers’ compensation system or the responsible party. A lawyer with experience in workers’ compensation law might be able to help by examining the employer’s workplace safety situation, by drafting and filing documents to begin a claim or by communicating with government officials on behalf of the client.
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