A Pennsylvania landscaping company is facing citations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration after two workers were injured. The on-the-job injuries occurred last summer, and the fines were levied against the company after an OSHA investigation into both incidents. The accidents underscore the importance of safety measures for those who are employed in the lawn care industry.
In one accident, a worker was mowing the grass on a wet slope when he lost control of the mower. As a result, two of his toes were amputated. In the second accident, a lawnmower overturned while in operation, resulting in the serious injury of the worker. According to OSHA, the accidents resiulted from a failure to use seat belts and other important safety measures.
A mowing accident can have detrimental consequences, resulting in the serious or fatal injury of a Pennsylvania worker. Employers have the responsibility of providing a safe work environment, including proper safety measures and ample safety training. The productivity or profitability of a lawn care business should never be valued over a person’s physical well being.
When an individual suffers from on-the-job injuries, he or she has the right to a full and fair recovery. Workers’ compensation benefits are intended for medical bills and other accident-related costs, as well as to replace income due to missed work while on the mend, but it is not always easy to get the money that a person needs. With the help of an experienced lawyer, a person can more effectively navigate the often complicated and intimidating workers’ compensation claims process.
Source: greenindustrypros.com, “OSHA Fining Pennsylvania Landscaping Company“, Feb. 18, 2016