Signs Your Employer Isn't Providing a Safe Workplace
by
Employment Workers' Compensation Employment Occupational Safety & Health
Summary: As an employee, you deserve to work in an environment that is comfortable and makes you feel safe and secure. However, not every employer takes all precautions to make that happen. What should you be looking for at your workplace in terms of safety, and what are the responsibilities of your employer?
Here are some of the signs you should be aware of that may show your employer isn’t providing a safe place for you to work.
- Failure to Provide Adequate Training - No matter what type of business you’re in, chances are that when you began your job there were things you did not know how to do. Maybe you needed to know how to operate a certain piece of machinery or you required training on how to move around safely in the back room. Comprehensive training should be provided by your workplace that helps you feel comfortable in your job. It shouldn’t be something provided only to new hires, but continued through your career.
- Equipment Maintenance - All equipment used on the job should be properly maintained. If you have machinery or equipment in use that hasn’t been kept in good working order or updated regularly, it could be a safety hazard for anyone who uses it. When things are beyond their working life, they should be replaced, no questions asked.
- Good Lighting - Lighting is important to prevent falls, but it can also help protect employees’ eyesight when they are working. Adding lamps or extra overhead lighting, if needed can be all it takes to improve the overall safety of the office or other work space.
- Chemical Safety - Chemicals should be properly labeled, stored and accessed only by those who have been trained to use them. In addition, old, outdated products should be safely destroyed or disposed of by authorized personnel.
- Adequate Signage - Signs should be placed around the workplace labeling exits, employee-only areas, hazardous chemicals, microwaves in use and other potential areas of concern. In addition, all ADA signage should be followed to make the workplace a comfortable and safe place to work for those with disabilities.
- Cleanliness - A clean work environment is a safer work environment. If the workspace is constantly messy, has liquids spilled on the floor or is hard to maneuver or work around, it can be difficult for anyone to do their job correctly, let alone in a safe manner. Slip-and-fall accidents are much more likely in an environment that is messy than in one that is kept clean and tidy.
- Unwillingness to Listen to Concerns - A work environment where the management or ownership is unwilling to listen to complaints or concerns involving safety or security is usually an unsafe one. You should feel comfortable coming to your immediate superior with your concerns about safety and leave the meeting feeling like something will be resolved.
If you’ve noticed that your employer exhibits a few of the signs on this list, you might want to be proactive and speak with a higher-up--if you feel comfortable doing so. This can help prevent a workplace accident from occurring in the first place. However, if one does occur, realize that you should talk to a legal professional as soon as possible to make sure you are protected from a legal and financial standpoint. It could make a HUGE difference in how things play out for you and your family.