While workplaces have had to evolve over the last few months in order to deal with new safety concerns, clear and comprehensive health and safety policies can still offer employees protection no matter where they work. Across the country, states are introducing new measures that will not only make it easier for workers to access help in the event of a workplace accident but will also protect employees in a variety of working environments. As well as employing managers with occupational health and safety certification to improve safety in hybrid offices, companies can ensure the protection of workers in large distribution warehouses, or even on the city streets making essential deliveries.
Helping Workers to Claim Compensation for Accidents
According to the latest statistics from the Bureau of Labor, employers in the private industry reported over 2.7 million workplace injuries and illnesses in 2020. While accidents may be commonplace, lawyers at FVF Law understand that experiencing an injury at work can be very stressful for an employee. Making a work-related claim can also be overwhelming but, with professional help, workers can ensure they have access to all the sources of compensation to which they are entitled. To further assist workers in Texas, a new government publication aims to help employees with workers’ compensation claims. The comprehensive glossary lists 150 legal and medical terms accompanied by short and easy-to-understand definitions.
Enforcing Rest Breaks for Warehouse Workers
While regular rest breaks at work can help to improve productivity, they are also important for workers’ health and safety and can help to minimize the number of accidents caused by fatigue. Although rest breaks are already mandatory in California, one of several new state laws to be introduced in 2022 is a bill to ensure that workers are paid during breaks. This will mean workers at warehouse distribution centers with more than 100 employees can no longer be penalized for stopping for authorized breaks in order to eat, take a break or use the restroom. Even if job quotas are not met, spending time complying with occupational health and safety laws is more important, and workers should still be paid.
Increasing Protection for Delivery Drivers
New legislation to be introduced in New York in 2022 focuses on improving health and safety for over 65,000 delivery workers currently serving the city. In recognition of their essential work during the pandemic and the significant economic contribution they have made to the city, new protective measures have been designed to help these essential workers to continue to work safely and thrive. These measures will include the regulation of delivery app businesses and the enforcement of minimum pay for their workers. In addition, the safety of drivers often targeted by criminals for their money or e-bikes will be enhanced by the wider use of unique serial numbers on vehicles and the installation of cameras on main routes.
As working environments continue to evolve, several states are introducing new measures to ensure the health and safety of employees are protected.
