Wyoming Has Work To Do For Worker Safety
Casper, WY (PRWEB) May 14, 2014 -- On April 28, states across the country took part in ceremonies designed to commemorate Workers’ Memorial Day. Positioned approximately one month prior to Memorial Day itself, the event sought to bring attention to the plight of individuals who lost lives in the course of their job duties.
In Wyoming, the importance of this event can’t be overlooked. The state consistently has some of the highest fatality rates in the country, and 2012 failed to buck that trend. At 35 deaths, Wyoming actually posted poorer results than it did in the preceding five years. In an age when we’re supposed to be making advancements in safety, having such a high mark is disconcerting, to say the least.
The Ochs Law Firm thinks it’s time for a change. Their Casper personal injury attorneys have worked with the families of those who have lost loved ones in on-the-job injuries as well as persons who have been injured but were able to escape fatal damage. Jason Ochs has witnessed the significant ramifications of seemingly insignificant safety shortcomings, and he wants to help establish a culture of safety within the state he calls home.
“Wyoming is a great place to live,” said Mr. Ochs, “but the positive outlook for our state is undermined when people have to worry about whether they’ll be able to come home from their job in one piece. We can’t do anything about the most recent poor ranking, but we can certainly do something moving forward. Employers must take immediate steps to protect employees or else they could end up facing an attorney like me in the courtroom.”
The National Council on Occupational Safety and Health recently released a wide-ranging report called Preventable Deaths 2014, and Wyoming was one of the states that received particular attention. Inspired by that report, Ochs Law has applied its expertise to coming up with tips that Wyoming employers can exercise in order to protect citizens.
1. Fleet Afoot- One of the biggest challenges Wyoming faces is on its roads, where a large swath of commercial fatalities took place in 2012. Fleet managers must enact policies to limit road hours and dissuade drivers from engaging in distracted driving and drunk driving.
2. Fallout Fallout- Anytime a worker is required to work near a ledge, he or she must benefit from either a railing or a safety harness. Otherwise, those employees should be tasked with staying well away from the edge.
3. Dress For Success- Whenever a person is required to work with hazardous materials, he or she must receive adequate protection from those materials. Gloves should be available to prevent burns and lacerations of any sort, while goggles must be not just encouraged but mandated in any situation where chemicals could splash or otherwise do damage to the individual’s eyesight.
4. Training Montage- Even if the proper safety mechanisms are in place, the whole operation can be undermined if each individual worker isn’t trained on how to carry out their job in the safest manner possible. At the outset, workers must receive an education on every piece of equipment they will be expected to use, and if that person’s job responsibilities evolve or the nature of the job itself changes, subsequent training must be scheduled.
5. Sound Off- Whenever a worker is to be exposed to loud noises, he or she must be granted ear protection. Barring that, employers should strive to minimize excessive noise whenever possible.
6. Spark Place- Should flammable substances be present, extreme precautions are warranted. Workers must be supplied with proper clothing and benefit from an environment that doesn’t pose additional fire hazards. There must also be fire suppression equipment readily available in the event that a blaze breaks out.
Ochs Law is an award-winning practice recognized by such entities as the American Trial Lawyers Association, Super Lawyers, the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice. With offices in Wyoming, California, and Colorado, the firm is able to offer representation to victims of personal injury accidents as well as assistance to persons going through divorce, filing class action lawsuits, defending against criminal accusations, and more. Following this link to Ochs Law’s website will allow visitors to gain access to a free consultation service and a litany of resources geared toward those who are hoping to learn more about legal representation.
The Wyoming State Bar does not certify any lawyer as a specialist or expert. Anyone considering a lawyer should independently investigate the lawyer’s credentials and ability, and not rely upon advertisement or self-proclaimed expertise. The information provided herein should not be construed to be formal legal advice.
Jason Ochs, Ochs Law Firm, http://ochslawfirm.com, +1 (307) 215-9529, [email protected]
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