A family friend loves to circle the children around him, especially when he meets new people. It’s story-time!
He flashes his hand with the stubby thumb and says, “Guess what I ate for lunch?” The littlest ones eyes grow big, while the older ones give “Bob” a knowing stare. There’s more to this story — can’t fool the tweens!
After all, if you only have a stump of a thumb left, you might as well milk it for all its worth. Gotta make some lemonade with that lemon. “Bob’s” thumb is not going to grow back!
While “Bob’s” accident was related to a home-improvement project on his own property, many other work-related accidents occur in the U.S. each year. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics for 2015, some manufacturing businesses were listed as having the highest numbers of work-related injuries. https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/os/ostb4741.pdf
We’ve come a long ways since the horrors of the 1911 Triangle Factory (clothing manufacturer) fire in Manhatten. Workers were locked inside this high-rise building to prevent theft. As the fire spread, most of the young women factory workers jumped out of the windows to their death rather than being burned alive.
Safety and concern for human life seem to be hard-earned lessons for the human race!
With careful thought and planning, most companies in the U.S. today work hard to provide a safe working environment for their employees.
Still, almost any job has work-related hazards. You could even trip and fall over poorly installed computer wires!
I spent a summer working in a country store deli as kitchen help. Since I was just over 18, I had the joy and privilege of running the giant electric meat slicer!
I was duly warned about the dangers and given training on equipment safety techniques. Still, every time I was sent to slice I breathed a sigh of relief when the job was done. I really enjoy using both of my thumbs to this day. (Sorry, “Bob”.)
Based on what I learned to safely operate the meat slicer, here are a few basic work safety tips for every job requiring the use of tools.
1.) Don’t let co-workers distract you while you work with tools!
Yep! Your fellow man can be both your greatest help and your biggest liability! Talking with your co-worker about weekend plans while running a potentially dangerous tool is a seriously bad idea. It’s like texting and driving. Just don’t do it!
2.) Write a list of basic safety procedures needed to do your job if your company doesn’t already provide one!
Refresh your memory often. Take your list to work if need be. Being prepared is so much better than operating blindly! Sometimes on-the-job safety training is simply inadequate. It’s rushed. You only practice once. You come into work the next day a bit puzzled, trying to remember the right steps in the right order.
Ask questions! Be a pest. It’s okay. Safe is better than sorry. That’s what your momma always said, right?
3.) Let your boss know when you are under the weather, or seriously “off your game”.
Obviously I couldn’t run the meat slicer if I was coughing and sneezing — a germ hazard for others, for sure. However, having a headache and slicing meat is an equally bad idea. If you are not “on your game”, no boss should want you operating heavy or dangerous equipment. if they do, well, …
If you or a loved one has been injured on the job even if you are at fault, you need an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in your corner to fight for your rights. Work-related injuries can change your life forever!
The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC is licensed to handle workers’ compensation cases both in Missouri and Illinois. You will receive experienced and aggressive legal help for your work-related injury case. You can find more information here: http://steimel-law.com/workers-comp.html
The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC wants you to know that even if you have been denied workers’ compensation, you may still have a personal injury case! Call for a free consultation at 636-244-3737.
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