In our New York case study of workplace safety, we urged employers to consider very carefully the importance of safety in the workplace especially in high risks jobs such as construction. Apparently New York is not the only state to experience construction worker safety issues.
A Case Study: Report Texas Construction Employers Taken to Task in Report
The Workers Defense Project (WDP) released a report on June 17, 2009, showing the Texas construction industry is facing a number of issues, including dangerous working conditions for employees.
The report indicated 2007, 142 construction workers died in Texas, more than any other state in the country. California was next with 81.
Of the more than 300 construction workers surveyed, two-thirds said they didn’t receive basic safety training before arriving on the worksite. For those employers not using safety professionals to offer this type of necessary training, consider Safety PEO’s such as those offered by http://www.nationalsafetyconsulting.com/
The report also claimed violations of workplace regulations were normal and often went unnoticed due to a lack of inspectors. The workers surveyed said they did not see any federal inspectors at their work sites.
Construction companies can allegedly take advantage of their workers, since Texas does not require employers to provide workers’ compensation.
Critics of the construction industry say that when a worker is injured on the job and does not have health insurance or workers’ compensation, he or she goes for emergency care at a hospital, thereby, raising everyone’s health insurance costs.
The WDP report was released less than a week after three workers were killed at a high-rise construction site in Austin. (workersxzcompxzkit).
Poor safety practices in the workplace result in serious consequences – injured workers, deceased workers, families thrown into chaos, lawsuits. All driving costs UP, UP, UP! Employers in Texas might want to consider changing the law to provide workers’ compensation benefits. In the long run, it’s a cost-effective step to take.
Author: Robert Elliott, J.D.
Click on these links to try it for yourself.
WC Calculator: www.ReduceYourWorkersComp.com/calculator.php
TD Calculator: www.ReduceYourWorkersComp.com/transitional-duty-cost-calculator.php
WC 101: www.ReduceYourWorkersComp.com/workers_comp.php
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws are different. Consult with your corporate legal counsel before implementing any cost containment programs.
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