1. Home
  2.  | 
  3. Workers' Compensation
  4.  | New OSHA rule promotes worker safety in New Jersey

New OSHA rule promotes worker safety in New Jersey

On Behalf of | Sep 26, 2016 | Workers' Compensation

According to a report issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the agency’s new severe injury reporting system has been successful. Since the first day of 2015, companies have been required to report within 24 hours any injuries that resulted in amputation, eye loss or inpatient hospitalization. In 2015, there were 7,636 hospitalizations and 2,644 amputations reported to OSHA from employers throughout America.

However, it is important to point out that these numbers did not include information from states that had their own plan. The manufacturing sector had the most reported hospitalizations, netting 26 percent of the total incidences that were reported. It was followed by the construction sector at 19 percent and the transportation and warehousing sector at 11 percent. Workers in the manufacturing sector accounted for 57 percent of all injuries that required amputation in 2015. OSHA did say that many of the injuries were likely preventable and that the reporting system encourages employers to evaluate their own safety procedures.

OSHA did ask for incident investigations in 62 percent of the cases that were reported. The agency asked that employers investigate what caused injuries to occur and to suggest ways to prevent them from happening in the future. The intent is for employers to create solutions to problems instead of OSHA having to cite employers for violations.

Those who suffer a job injury may be entitled to benefits to help pay for medical bills and lost time at work. Workers’ compensation benefits are generally available to employees who suffer injuries regardless of whether it was their fault or not. If an employer’s workers compensation insurance company refuses to make a payment or disputes the nature of an injury, it may be worthwhile to talk to an attorney. A lawyer may review the case and help an injured worker get what he or she is entitled to.