You might not work in an industry that is known to be dangerous, such as construction, law enforcement or healthcare. However, anyone can be injured on the job, whether they deliver mail, serve food or work in an office. You and other Georgia residents may protect yourselves by understanding the different ways you can get hurt on the job, regardless of what you do for a living.
The National Safety Council cautions that every workplace has hazards, whether they are hidden dangers or known by most employees. The following dangers are the ones you may be most likely to encounter at work:
- Falling from a height, whether working on a scaffold or climbing a stepladder to replace a light bulb
- Tripping or injuring yourself in a cluttered, disorganized workspace
- Getting shocked or electrocuted by an electrical cord or faulty electrical components
- Being harmed by dangerous chemicals, including cleaning solutions
Your employer has a responsibility to recognize potential dangers and educate employees on safety protocols and injury prevention methods. For example, you and your co-workers should be educated on the different chemicals stored at your workplace, regardless of whether you use them, and a material safety data sheet (MSDS) should be displayed for information on what to do if you are accidentally exposed to a harmful chemical. Other hazards, such as a cluttered office or malfunctioning electrical equipment, should also be corrected. Since workers’ compensation law can be complex, this information is not meant to replace the advice of a lawyer.
