Why Isn’t Anyone Doing Anything to Prevent Charleston Work Injuries?

Nationally, about 12 people die every day in needless accidents on the job, according to the latest statistics. That works out to 88 per week, or 4,585 fatalities in a single year. This doesn't even touch on the estimated 50,000 who die every year as a result of job-related illnesses and diseases. At the same time, 1,162,210 people across the country experience non-fatal work injuries, and have to take at least a couple of days off (the median is eight days) to recover, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Even without considering people who can go right back to their jobs after receiving treatment, these figures are astounding. The worst part is, they're almost always preventable. OSHA Investigations are Conducted to Prevent Incidents Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is the government agency responsible for overseeing workplace safety. The SC OSHA branch performed 1244 planned inspections in the most-recent reporting year. They also handled 149 inspections for complaints, and 38 more following accidents or fatalities. These inspections resulted in a total of 2,479 violation notices, of which 66% were for serious offenses. Last year, the federal plan performed 36,163 investigations across the nation, while the state plan performed 47,217 more. Most Common Citations Emerging from OSHA Investigations Even though the numbers of work injuries and fatalities are staggering, they've actually declined greatly since the agency was formed. Overall, fatalities are down 66% and illnesses are down 67%. According to OSHA, there are 10 citations which occur more often than any of the others. They are as follows:

1. Failure to provide fall protection on a construction site.
2. Failure to communicate hazards.
3. Failure to follow general scaffolding requirements on a construction site.
4. Lack of respiratory protection.
5. Use of unsafe powered industrial trucks.
6. Failure to service or maintain "hazardous energy" (residual power or machines that can unexpectedly turn on)
7. Failure to comply with ladder safety guidelines on a construction site.
8. Unsafe electrical wiring and electrical components.
9. Lack of proper guards on machines.
10. Unsafe electrical systems.

Preventing On-the-Job Injuries Although OSHA investigations have made a world of difference in workplace safety, far too many incidents still occur. It's important for employees to remain vigilant at work and report any potential dangers to employers. At the same time, OSHA also conducts investigations when they receive complaints, which can be beneficial for those who fear retaliation from employers or those whose employers do not correct issues when brought to their attention.

Charleston Work Injury Attorney

If you've been hurt on the job, you may be entitled to compensation. We can help you navigate the Workers' Compensation stem to help ensure you're treated fairly and taken seriously. We may also be able to help uncover whether any other parties are responsible for your injuries. For a free, no-obligation consultation, please complete our online form. You may also speak to one of our attorneys right now by calling 1(800)610-2546.