Any serious injury on the job may impact a worker’s life, both immediately and during recovery. If that injury falls outside the scope of workers’ compensation, then it may threaten a workers’ financial security.
These injuries may arise from accidents that happen anywhere — or they may be the result of negligence. Employers who violate Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements increase the safety risk of employees and, according to InsiderNJ, a new amendment to OSHA may require publicizing these violations.
Workplace injuries and reporting
Studies observed that anytime a local paper goes public with news that an employer or company violated OSHA, it seems that other workplaces push for greater compliance.
As worded in the Keeping Workers Safe Act, the OSHA statutes would require the administration to publically disclose any civil penalties above $60,000 to local media as well as relevant labor and trade organizations. This aims to generate more reports that may help boost overall workplace safety.
The proposed amendment has support from several organizations, but it is unclear when the legislature may vote on the Keeping Workers Safe Act.
Compensation for workplace injuries
While this reporting may lead to more companies shoring up their compliance, accidents still happen. Whether an accident occurs through employer negligence, non-compliance or faulty equipment is cold comfort to someone injured on the job.
It is important for people suffering from a workplace injury to have all the facts so that they may pursue compensation in the way that suits their needs best. Depending on the circumstances, employees may find a third-party personal injury claim more appropriate for their case.