Ohio workers work hard at their jobs every day. They expect that their workplace will be safe and that they won’t have to worry about a workplace accident. Unfortunately, workplace accidents that cause serious injuries and even death happen each year in Ohio. A recent investigation shows that companies who have had a workplace death are not paying their full OSHA fine.
In the past few years, there have been at least 44 people who have died in a workplace related accident in Ohio. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has flagged at least 10 companies for having unsafe working conditions and these companies have over $1 million in penalties for the last two years. Many of the companies who have had an employee die were fined less than $40,000 for the death and many companies who have not had a worker die have been fined more than $40,000. OSHA states that fines are based on how many violations that are found at the work site. OSHA also may give smaller companies a reduced penalty amount.
OSHA is a government agency whose mission is to make sure workers are safe while they are on the job. They regularly inspect businesses and conduct an investigation if there is a workplace accident. If a company is found to have workplace violations, OSHA will issue a fine. Regardless, Ohio workers deserve to have a safe workplace. If an Ohio worker has been injured on the job, they may want to speak with a legal professional who is skilled in workers’ compensation. An attorney can investigate the circumstances surrounding the employee’s injury and help the employee get the compensation they are entitled to.
A workplace accident can be a serious situation. It is important that an employee knows what their legal rights are and the benefits for which they are eligible.
Source: daytondailynews.com, “Investigation: Workplace deaths not among top OSHA fines“, Kara Driscoll, Feb. 12, 2017