The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal body in charge of regulating more than eight million worksites around the country. OSHA sets rules and regulations all employers in the U.S. must comply with to optimize the safety of workers. Breaking OSHA’s rules could lead to a worksite that has unnecessary hazards and puts worker lives at risk.
If you believe your employer failed to comply with an OSHA safety standard, and this non-compliance contributed to your recent personal injury accident or a loved one’s wrongful death, contact the Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C. Our Dallas/Fort Worth area attorneys can help you identify the cause of your injuries and fight for compensation from the at-fault party. We believe in justice for Texas’ injured workers.
How Can a Lawyer Help?
Workers’ compensation may not be your only outlet for recovery if an investigation finds that OSHA non-compliance contributed to your injury. OSHA non-compliance is an act of negligence that could make your employer liable for your damages through a personal injury lawsuit. An injury claim could result in better compensation than a workers’ comp claim alone. Going up against an employer and its insurance company can be difficult as an injured worker, however. Hiring an attorney lets you focus on your personal recovery, not the complex legal process.
Commonly Violated OSHA Standards
Non-compliance with OSHA regulations could lead to a workplace with unreasonable health and safety hazards for workers. Ignoring OSHA standards could lead to risks such as unsafe walking surfaces, poorly constructed scaffolds, badly maintained equipment, and heavy machinery without the proper guards. These are all common risks that cause serious and fatal worker injuries in the U.S. It is every employer’s duty to comply with OSHA regulations.
- Personal fall protection
- Hazard communication
- Scaffold construction
- Respiratory protection
- Control of hazardous energy
- Ladder safety
- Industrial truck safety
- Fall protection training
- Machine guarding
- Eye and face protection
These are the most commonly violated OSHA standards, according to a 2018 report. It is vital for employers to follow the rules. OSHA non-compliance contributed to the 5,147 workers killed in 2017. The most common causes of death are falls, struck-by objects, electrocutions, and caught-in/between. Obeying OSHA standards could have saved lives in 2017.
How to Report OSHA Non-Compliance
As an employee, it is your right to expect a reasonably safe and hazard-free workplace. If your employer does something that impacts the safety of your work environment, you can act without fear of retaliation. Your employer lawfully cannot punish you for coming forward with an alleged safety or health complaint. As soon as you notice something that does not coincide with OSHA’s regulations within your industry, let your employer know. Your employer may not be aware of the issue.
If your employer does nothing to remedy the problem, file an official complaint with OSHA. OSHA may send one of its professionals to your worksite for an official inspection. Your employer may then receive penalties for any OSHA non-compliance issues. OSHA encourages employees to come forward right away with health and safety concerns – ideally before an accident occurs. If you have already suffered injuries, however, you may need to contact an attorney.
Call (855) 655-HURT Today
The Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C. has years of experience helping injured workers in the Dallas/Fort Worth region. We are familiar with OSHA standards in the construction industry, oil and gas, industrial machinery, and other fields. Our lawyers can work with federal and state government organizations to help bring your negligent employer to justice. We can fight for your family to receive full and fair financial compensation. Call (855) 655-HURT now for your free consultation with one of our attorneys.