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Employers in Pennsylvania can take a number of steps to make their workplaces safer for their employees. The first important thing they should do is perform risk assessments to identify potential hazards. It is important to keep in mind that this does not just mean assessing physical risk. Workplaces that do not have significant physical hazards should still promote environments that are conducive to employees’ mental health. This means that in an office where workers are largely sedentary, employers should still consider how people relate to one another and how that affects workplace safety.

Once management has identified the risks, they should develop a safety plan consisting of procedures and rules for minimizing the hazards. This does not need to be complex; in fact, simple may be better. Business owners should also create a plan for dealing with emergencies, both natural disasters and those caused by other people.

Workplaces as well as employees should be checked out thoroughly. Job sites should be inspected to identify equipment that may pose a danger or needs to be repaired or replaced. All employees should be background checked, and there should also be a policy in place for visitors. Finally, there needs to be open communication in the workplace. This includes making sure that employees are comfortable speaking up about any safety hazards that they observe.

Individuals who are injured in the workplace are generally eligible for workers’ compensation. This is true even if the person caused the accident. However, employers do not always understand workers’ compensation rules and regulations. Those who are injured or become ill at work might want to consult an attorney to make sure that if another party is responsible, he or she does not surrender the right to seek additional compensation. A lawyer may also be able to assist with workers’ compensation paperwork and appeals.