New Jersey workers in the manufacturing industry are a vital part of many businesses. They are also at risk from injuries that can be caused by machinery or unsafe working conditions. Manufacturing is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, but there are way that employers can make it safer.
Every year, about 4 percent of all manufacturing workers are injured or become sick on the job, according to the United States Department of Labor. As Occupational Health and Safety Magazine reports, the manufacturing industry has the highest percentage of the approximately 10,000 American workers who are severely injured every year. More than half of work-related amputations are in the manufacturing sector, as are 26 percent of injuries requiring hospitalization. Fatality rates in manufacturing are also up. 2015 saw the most manufacturing job fatalities since 2008, with 353 workers dying. Unsafe work environments not only put workers at risk, but they also cost companies a great deal of money.
It is recommended that companies can promote safety for their workers by taking steps that include hiring supervisors who are committed to workplace safety and making safety a priority for workers in positions of leadership. Favoring production output over safety should be discouraged to foster an environment in which safety is top priority. Best safety practices should be adhered to, with consideration given to the fact that easier-to-follow guidelines are more likely to be embraced by workers. All work safety practices should be continually monitored and reinforced if they are to be effective.
Regardless of safety protocols, however, workplace accidents will continue to occur. Most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage, and a person who is injured in such an accident might want to meet with an attorney to see what benefits might be available and the procedure involved in claiming them.