Workplace Emergency and Accidents Key Terms

Learn key terminology associated with workplace emergencies and accidents

Workplace accidents can occur in any business or industry. In the event of a workplace emergency or accident, the most important thing is to ensure the safety of the injured or at-risk employees. But as a business owner, it's also vital to know how to handle insurance claims, incident investigations, and employee competence inquiries.

There is a lot of terminology specialized to workplace accidents and emergencies. As a business owner, you need to understand key terms related to dealing with workplace accidents to better negotiate the insurance, compensation, and investigative processes that follow a workplace accident.

 

Due diligence

Due diligence is a legal term used in many types of investigations. In relation to workplace accidents and emergencies, due diligence indicates that the supervisor or manager in charge has taken all appropriate and necessary steps to ensure employee safety.
Try: Diversified Risk Management explains the responsibility of supervisors or managers to take workplace due diligence to prevent accidents and offers training courses and resources.

Employer liability

Employer liability is a concept wherein the employer is responsible for providing employees with a safe and secure workplace environment and respecting the employee's rights to basic safety and health.
Try: Jackson Lewis explains that employer liability is limited to work done within the scope of an employee's job duties.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, is a division of the United States Department of Labor that guarantees safer and healthier work environments by enforcing safety standards and hazard regulations for all businesses.
Try: OSHA's official website explains its mission and how its regulations help eliminate the possibility of workplace emergencies and accidents.

Bureau of Workers Compensation

The Bureau of Workers Compensation is an organization that provides medical and financial assistance to individuals injured in workplace accidents or emergencies and also assists employers in filing insurance claims and incident reports.
Try: The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation explains its mission, the rights of injured workers and the responsibilities of employers in the event of a workplace accident or emergency.

Hazard awareness

Hazard awareness is the understanding of certain workplace hazards involving machinery, equipment or chemicals and how to avoid such hazards by handling these items properly and safely.
Try: This article from Cryogas International explains the importance of hazard awareness to prevent workplace accidents or emergencies.

Incident investigation

Incident investigation is the process of examining the events leading up to a workplace accident and determining the cause. Some companies have official incident investigation protocol, but it's important to have an incident investigation plan for reporting and insurance purposes.
Try: OSHA Online provides resources for employers to help them comply with OSHA's regulations for incident investigation following a workplace accident or emergency.

Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

---