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Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) claim an Ohio manufacturing plant has repeatedly exposed workers to potentially fatal workplace hazards. OSHA claims these hazards were also present in 2013 and 2014 during two prior inspections of the plant.
In its recent follow-up inspection, OSHA discovered the company still exposes workers to live electrical contacts and fall hazards. The company also failed to install machine guards to protect workers from moving parts and did not develop or implement lockout/tagout procedures. OSHA is proposing penalties of $235,879.
Suffered Catastrophic Injuries on the Job? You May Have Options
In the example above, there was a history of workplace safety violations stretching back several years. If workers at this plant had suffered injuries, they might have been eligible for a Violation of a Specific Safety Requirements (VSSR) award. This story is important because it describes the type of workplace conditions that make injured workers eligible for a VSSR. A VSSR can provide benefits in addition to regular workers comp.
VSSRs are covered under Section 4101 of the Ohio Revised Code. This statute requires employers to protect the life, health, safety and welfare of workers. Failing to train workers how to safely use equipment may be considered a VSSR. Exposing workers to hazardous materials or requiring employees to handle dangerous materials without proper training may also be a VSSR.
One of the major pros of a VSSR, is that it can provide family members who lost loved ones in workplace accidents with additional benefits. However, the process for instigating a VSSR investigation of a workplace and for filing a VSSR claim can be confusing to the lay person. One mistake during the filing process can result in a claim denial.
The Ohio workers comp attorneys at Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC have decades of experience helping workers and their families discover all available options for compensation.