New York State is home to a wide range of industries, from retail to construction. All workers, no matter how safe their occupations appear, are at risk of being injured on the job. This is one of the reasons workers’ compensation is required for the majority of businesses. This insurance helps cover the various expenses related to workplace accidents, such as medical visits, prescriptions, and lost wages.
Sometimes accidents at work result in more than just an injury. Based on information from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of workplace fatalities has been on a decline for several years; however, even at the 2010 total of 4,690 deaths, a worker died somewhere in the country about every two hours. It should be the goal of every business owner to work towards further decreasing the number of lives lost on the job each year.
What can you do to help prevent injuries and deaths at your business? One of the simplest things is to have a candid conversation with workers about their fears and concerns. Make sure everyone knows your door is open at all times, and that their complaints will be kept confidential. When you are made aware of a real hazard, you should take steps immediately to correct it. Failing to do so could leave your business shouldering a greater liability for any related accidents in the future.
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