April 28th is a day that deserves recognition, as it honors the men and women who were deeply affected or have died at work. Workers’ Memorial Day is an international day to remember and grieve these losses that occur more often than you’d think. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5,333 employees died due to work-related injuries in 2019. That’s one person every 99 minutes.

The events that caused these distressing fatalities were primarily slip and fall accidents, transportation incidents, and occupational injuries of policemen and construction workers. Work-related accidents and deaths affect more than the victims though. Countless children with parents who were severely or fatally hurt struggle to pay for their own education. That’s where Kids’ Chance steps in. This organization has provided over six million dollars in college scholarships to roughly 650 students since it was first launched in 1988, which is why we support Kid’s Chance of Missouri every year.

Workplace Safety Tips
Workers’ Memorial Day isn’t just a time to mourn and reminisce. It’s also a day to spread awareness of occupational hazards and workplace safety. Remember, when you’re at work:

  • No matter what your job is, always follow the proper procedures. Don’t take any shortcuts- those guidelines exist for a reason, so be sure to stay updated on new procedures as well.
  • Remain aware of your surroundings.
  • Watch your posture. That’s right, even desk jobs can pose dangers. Slouching all day every day can cause irreparable back damage and chronic pains.
  • Don’t skip your breaks! Over-tired employees are more prone to mishaps.
  • Always report any unsafe conditions you notice in the work environment, whether it be black mold on the wall, faulty equipment, icy parking lot, or anything else that could be hazardous to yourself and your coworkers.
  • Know where emergency exits and equipment are at all times in case of an incident.
  • If your profession requires personal safety gear such as safety goggles, masks, work gloves, harnesses, etcetera, wear them, even if it seems a little silly. As they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Know Your Rights
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has worked hard to enforce the federal laws put in place to protect employees. At work, it’s important to know that you have the right to:

  • Be trained in workplace safety in a language that you understand.
  • Work with safe machinery.
  • Be given necessary safety equipment for the job.
  • Be protected from toxic chemicals in the work environment.
  • Request an OSHA inspection without being fired, demoted, or transferred for it. You also have the right to speak directly with the inspector.
  • Report injuries and illnesses and have copies of those medical records.
  • See records of work-related injuries and diseases.
  • View the results of any tests conducted to find workplace hazards.

What If?
If you’ve been injured on the job, you are likely entitled to workers’ compensation, but it’s important that you follow these steps.

  • Tell your boss or supervisor immediately and fill out a company injury report. Don’t wait to say something about it, otherwise, you risk your ability to collect worker’s comp benefits.
  • Seek medical attention, even if it doesn’t seem to be anything serious. There may be underlying complications that need to be identified by a medical professional such as concussions and internal bleeding.
  • Document your injury(ies).
  • Contact an attorney for a free consultation.

Work-related accidents can cause crushing financial burden on you and your family. Contact a workers’ compensation lawyer if you’ve suffered an occupational injury as soon as possible so that you can rest assured that your medical bills, lost wages, and any other damages will be covered.