Employers Pay When Failing to Provide Personal Protection Equipment

Many jobs could easily be considered hazardous. Others may seem to have no immediate threat of danger for employees but result in accidents like a slip and fall nonetheless. It is the employer's job to make sure that proper safety equipment is provided to prevent these accidents. If not, a lawsuit and a lawyer usually come into a play. 

Whether a business is in Provo, Utah or somewhere else, the laws set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) apply. They have set certain rules on personal protective equipment (PPE) that must be provided to employees to prevent hazards like a slip and fall. 

The first requirement is for employers to perform a hazard assessment to identify any potential dangers that could arise and require a lawyer. Once those risks are identified, employers must provide adequate safety equipment.

However, it doesn't stop there. Every company in Provo and across the United States must train their employees on how to use the PPE. If they do not, any lawyer would still deem it the employer's fault should a slip and fall accident occur. 

After employees have been trained, their employers must continue to maintain PPE and replace it as needed. Just because it is enforced once does not mean that it is enough. If employers want to really ensure that they will not end up in court, regularly reviewing their PPE program is a smart idea. That way, if there is anything missing they will catch it eventually. 

Sometimes, however, it is difficult to know which PPE is pertinent. OSHA provides a step by step process to go through each category and evaluate if a piece of equipment is needed. First, consider face protection. Do the eyes, ears, mouth or nose need to be protected in a certain work environment? 

After that think about head protection. Any falling objects could be very harmful to unaware employees. Then consider foot and leg protection. This is a big one for companies that use very heavy products in Provo and elsewhere that require a lot of movement. 

Next it is time to decide whether gloves or any other protective gear are necessary. It is also important to minimize instances where a slip and fall can occur. Keeping a workplace clean is very important when it comes to safety. Employers should regularly review their PPE and be sure their work environment is safe for all employees. 

However, if you are an employee who has been the victim of PPE negligence, contact a personal injury lawyer in Provo or a town near you. 

Shauna Holdaway is a legal writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Robert J Debry.