Every employee desires to work in a safe and well-protected environment. This helps reduce occupational stress, enhances productivity, and builds a solid company reputation. However, America’s workplaces in general need to tighten their safety measures.
As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a total of 5,190 fatal occupational injuries took place in 2021. The numbers jumped by 8.9% as compared to the previous year. Sad as it is, what’s worse is that some states received an ‘F’ grade in terms of safety from the National Safety Council.
Missouri was one among them. This grading was based on safety practices across three categories – community safety, road safety, and occupational safety. The state’s workplace wellness is in jeopardy.
This article will closely explore the current condition of Missouri’s occupational hazards, and measures that may promise a safer future.
Contents
Incident upon Incident Heighten Concerns
In 2022, around 108 workers died in Missouri’s workplaces and 91,724 suffered severe injuries. As of this year, 54 occupational deaths have already been reported.
Some of the top industries across Missouri with a high incidence of occupational hazards include transportation and warehousing, healthcare and social assistance, agriculture and forestry, and manufacturing. Common types of workplace hazards include –
- Getting stuck or caught in a moving machinery
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Accidents associated with vehicles – falling from a truck, being crushed by one, getting stuck under objects falling off a vehicle
- Explosions, electrocutions, and fires
- Overexertion or excessive stress
When a worker in Missouri experiences any of these hazards, they may suffer the fate of death or debilitating injuries. The latter include –
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Third-degree burns
- Permanent cognitive failure
- Spinal cord injuries
- Disability
- Severed limbs or fingers
- Loss of vision
- Broken bones
- Painful cuts and sprains
The Aftermath
In the event of an occupational hazard, the employer is the first to fall under the judicial system’s radar. Despite strict safety protocols, it is true that not all disasters can be mitigated.
But the Federal law expects most employers (with certain state-specific exceptions) to have a workers' compensation policy in place. The state of Missouri requires all companies (with five employees or more) to have workers' compensation insurance.
Upon filing a claim, the employee receives benefits covering medical expenses, lost wages, etc. However, some circumstances call for legal support. For instance – there are companies with no regard for their employees’ safety.
A case in point would be the 2022 investigation made by the US Department of Labor of a St. Louis recycling facility. The agency found that the facility exposed its workers to machine hazards and falls. It failed to erect necessary barriers for worker protection.
Such an incident would require the intervention of St. Louis personal injury lawyers to investigate the case and offer the victim fair compensation. This is because workers' compensation is not based on ‘fault.' Here, the victim must prove in court how the employer was responsible for their injuries.
This is just one case among thousands (some ending on a sorry note). The Missouri statute of limitations for personal injury cases is five years from the date of the incident. TorHoerman Law suggests seeking the professional expertise of an experienced attorney as employers/insurers will pose a strong defense.
Measures Already Taken
State officials are concerned about the state’s alarming condition of workplace safety. Consequently, the Missouri Department of Labor launched a ‘Safe at Work’ website in 2018. This website is designed to offer employers easy access to resources for improving occupational safety.
Besides that, they can also look up ways to save funds otherwise lost for workers’ compensation. The success of this measure largely depends upon employers’ desire to protect their workers’ interests.
Moreover, the state falls under the jurisdiction of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This means there are already several regulations in place to protect workers from hazards like falls and fires.
Finally, the Missouri Department of Labor runs a ‘mock inspection’ similar to OSHA’s to ensure all companies in the private sector are maintaining occupational safety standards.
The only problem is that the state and municipalities alone cannot achieve the goal of reducing incidences of workplace hazards. This is an endeavor that requires equal support from companies and their employees.
Occupational Safety Tips for Employers and Employees
The question of the hour is who must bear responsibility for workplace safety to tackle Missouri’s crisis? The company’s Human Resources (HR) department and individual employees (right from the top of the hierarchy).
The tips mentioned below can be followed by both parties to help create functional and safe working conditions.
- Employers must arrange for extensive worker training programs for hands-on experience with sharp tools, heavy equipment, etc. It is best to employ Virtual Reality (VR) simulations so that there’s no actual hazard during the training process. Conversely, employees must take their training seriously and use machinery with caution. One must check the tool before using it and ensure it’s clean and well-maintained.
- If an employee observes any unsafe conditions, the same should be immediately notified to the supervisor. If the employer notices, they must take proactive steps to remove the risk.
- Workers must wear their necessary safety gear at all times while on duty. This includes their non-slip shoes, fire-retardant clothing, and more.
- For employees working long hours at a computer screen, maintaining strict work hours is crucial. The employer must never encourage excessive work and no employee must put up with being overworked.
- Neither the employer nor any employee must take shortcuts. If a certain procedure requires six steps or safety checks, perform them all without fail. Not doing so or failing to follow equipment instructions can prove to be fatal.
- Employers must stay aware of new safety procedures and pass them down to their employees as soon as possible. As for workers, if they’re unsure about a new procedure, it is best to ask than proceed with half knowledge.
- It is mandatory for employers to introduce a rigid workplace safety program. As they encourage all employees to follow the program, they must also clarify the consequences of being careless.
- Employers must take thoughtful steps to reduce workplace stress. This can take many forms, including counseling and therapy, fun activities, reduction in workload, anti-microaggression programs, etc.
When every company across Missouri dedicates itself to employee welfare and every employee stays vigilant and informed, cases of occupational mishaps will fall drastically.
Steering Towards a Safer Future
On the surface, one may argue that Missouri’s occupational fatalities never exceed a little over 100. However, the grim reality becomes clear in light of the immeasurable value of human life. Also, no one wishes to leave their home for ‘just another day at the office’ with a gnawing fear of being severely injured, or worse, dead.
Employers must cherish their workers for the assets that they are. Since prevention is always better and less expensive than cure, relevant safety practices are a must. Not only that but every member of the organization must be zealous about making safety the first priority.
With interventions at the state, municipality, organizational, and individual levels, Missouri’s workplace wellness will steer towards a safer future.
