| Injuries at work are a common occurrence and on | | | | It is important that in every workplace there are |
| average, two-four people are seriously injured at work | | | | manuals on prevention of work related injuries. These |
| in each state. Some even lose their lives. Each year, | | | | should include materials for respiratory protection for |
| thousands of workers file compensation claims for | | | | those who work with dust, eye and face protection |
| work related injuries and illnesses Medical care and | | | | for those who work in the presence of fumes and |
| wage replacement for these injured workers amounts | | | | chemicals and hearing protection for those who work |
| to billions of dollars annually. The indirect costs to the | | | | in conditions of loud noise. There should be a monitoring |
| worker are even larger. Some may be permanently | | | | system implemented to sample the sound intensity and |
| injured, others may have a poor quality of life, others | | | | duration. |
| may go bankrupt and the business may close. To | | | | In any work environment, hazard communications is |
| prevent work related injuries, there is a great effort by | | | | essential. Accident prevention signs or symbols should |
| the Occupation Safety and Health Association | | | | be placed and hazardous areas should be marked as |
| (OHSA) in preventing work related injuries. OSHA has | | | | such. In any working environment where there is a |
| put forward numerous rules, polices and regulations | | | | potential for injury, the employees must know CPR |
| and strictly enforces these polices. While all the polices | | | | and First aid training. In the absence of a health care |
| are too numerous to mention, there is a certain onus | | | | facility within a few minutes of the work place, it is |
| on the employer and the employee to use common | | | | essential that there be someone who can administer |
| sense and judgment at work. A safe and health | | | | first aid. |
| environment is of benefit to both parties. | | | | And last but not least, if possible the employer should |
| The basic foundations to a safe and healthy | | | | provide for ergonomically designed furniture to prevent |
| environment should include a program for accident | | | | injuries from sitting on cramped chairs and working on |
| prevention, Personal Protective Equipment, First-Aid, | | | | the computer. |
| and Hazard Communication Program. | | | | |