Examples of Unsafe Work Conditions That Cause Workplace Accidents

September 8, 2022 Posted In Work-related injury

Being injured on the job can be devastating for not only the person injured, but their family as well. Sometimes workplace accidents are just that, accidents. However, many times an accident at the workplace is the result of unsafe working conditions and negligence. It’s important to know what unsafe work conditions look like so that if you are injured you’ll know that you have a case. 

Here are a few different examples of conditions that can cause an accident at a workplace. 

Poorly Maintained Work Equipment

Depending on the type of work you do, you may have to use specialized equipment to get the job done. Whether you’re a factory worker, construction worker, you work in shipping and receiving or some other specialized field, chances are you may have to handle heavy equipment. 

Unfortunately, one of the most common reasons for a workplace accident is poorly maintained equipment. The owners of the equipment have a responsibility to make sure it stays in safe working condition or replace it once it gets too worn down. When business owners and managers fail to do this, they put employees at risk of injury. 

This also applies to equipment that is defective. If a person knowingly allows employees to use damaged or defective equipment, they can be held liable for injuries as a result of their own negligence. 

Poor Lighting

Being able to see is an important part of any job. If you work in an environment with poor lighting, it raises the likelihood of an accident greatly. Even the most experienced and skilled workers can suffer from a workplace accident if the workplace has poor lighting. 

Lack of Safety Standards/Failure to Follow Safety Protocols

Almost every job in existence has a set of safety guidelines that have to be followed from the owner all the way down to the lowest employee. When these standards aren’t in place or they aren’t enforced, they can lead to an unsafe work environment where an accident is more likely. 

In fact, many organizations exist to ensure that businesses not only have safety standards in place, but that they constantly train their employees on them and are constantly keeping them in compliance. 

Failure to Properly Train Employees

Another problem that many workplaces face is lack of proper training for the job. If even one employee is unable to do their job properly it can lead to a safety hazard for all other employees. 

For example, an employee who doesn’t know how to stow away equipment properly could wind up causing an accident where equipment falls or detaches and injures someone. In these cases it is the responsibility of the business to implement proper training for employees to be able to do their job safely and effectively. 

Failure to Maintain a Clean Workplace

Part of maintaining safety on a job site is keeping the areas where people have to work free of debris and potential hazards. If a business does not have procedures in place to keep workspaces clean and safe, it can lead to unnecessary accidents and undue harm to employees. 

If you or a loved one are injured in a workplace accident, then you deserve compensation. Be sure to contact a San Bernardino work injury attorney right away and let them help you get the compensation you deserve.