Many business owners and managers at workplaces in Colorado think they have their fingers on the pulse, but in some cases, the employees are the ones who are more aware of the existing hazards in the environments in which they earn their incomes. Workers are accustomed to the areas in which they spend many hours every day, and they will likely immediately notice if a new hazard arises. Employers may have to deal with fewer workplace injuries needing medical treatment if they consult with employees when they establish safety protocols.
Workers are the people who will most likely encounter risks that employers never even considered. For this reason, listening to concerns and suggestions of employees could significantly improve safety standards in any workplace. Along with the jobs they perform, their contributions in making workplaces safer could significantly improve the company’s bottom line.
Suggestions of ways to involve employees in workplace safety include documenting any reported concerns and investigating them promptly. Including the workers in the investigation and listening to their ideas could create a workforce that will take responsibility rather than leave safety issues for the boss to fix. Keeping the employees informed about how safety hazards will be addressed can also help.
If Colorado supervisors or business owners disregard reported safety concerns, serious workplace accidents can result. Authorities may then find the company to have been grossly negligent and hold the owner liable for the costs of medical treatment and other expenses. A traumatic injury may even lead to an award of permanent disability benefits. With the support and guidance of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney, pursuing the complicated procedures to claim benefits may be simplified.
Source: rentalpulse.com, “Safety Tip: Employee feedback and safety suggestions“, Accessed on March 31, 2017
