According to statistics from 2015, the Bureau of Labor calculated that approximately 4,836 workers were killed on the job that year. On top of that figure, an estimated 2,905,900 employees suffered reportable injuries. While Missouri is not one of the states that currently mandate having a workplace safety plan in effect, it does encourage employers to develop these often critical plans.
Often referred to as an IIPP, an Injury and Illness Prevention Program allows employers to develop plans that can ensure that both workers and employers are protected from the risk of injury and the cost to both treat a work-related injury and lost productively when an accident or illness occurs. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has long recommended that all states create an effective plan for each workplace in order to protect employees from an often preventable accident. While there is no one plan that can be applied to every work site, there are general guidelines that can be adapted to fit each unique company’s needs.
One area that tends to be overlooked by employers is the issue of how heat-related illnesses can impact even indoor workers. There are an estimated 1,300 fatalities attributed to extreme heat annually throughout the country. Employers can conduct a thorough assessment of their company’s needs in order to protect workers from this potentially dangerous issue.
Missouri companies who have a workplace safety plan in effect are taking proactive steps to protect workers from preventable illnesses and injuries. In the event an accident still occurs, workers often turn to the state’s workers’ compensation program to obtain benefits while they are unable to return to duty. Residents who are unsure of the procedures for filing a qualifying claim can seek the assistance of an experienced attorney who can guide them successfully through the process.
Source: manufacturing.net, “Developing An Injury And Illness Prevention Program For Heat-Related Risks”, Terry Derise, May 8, 2018