Employers in Texas and throughout the country are expected to provide safe environments for their workers at their job sites. Government and industry standards are often rigorous, depending on the type of business. Unfortunately, even with these standards, workplace accidents still routinely occur. To better understand the types and frequencies of accidents and how to prevent them, a section about the workplace has been added to the database of injury facts published by the National Safety Council.
Statistics presented at a recent safety expo revealed that workplace fatalities increased 7.3 percent in 2016, the latest year for which data is available. Reports showed that the main causes of job-related deaths were attributed to falls, transportation and violence. The industry hopes that by studying the trends, experts can better focus on how to make work environments safer.
The studies showed that the construction industry has the highest level of fatalities of those included in the data. Management of every industry would benefit from the ability to benchmark the safety of the place of employment with others doing similar work. Reducing injuries and illnesses can also save companies money, as costs for medical expenses, lost wage and productivity exceed $151 billion each year. One job-related fatality can cost a company over $1.1 million.
While more comprehensive data is helpful, workplace accidents are still a possibility. If someone has been injured on the job, a Texas personal injury lawyer can assist with obtaining the workers’ compensation benefits to which a person is entitled. In some instances of negligence or defective products, further civil action may be brought against an employer or a third party believed responsible. An experienced attorney will work to achieve the best outcome possible in any legal action pursued.