Small OSHA violations may lead to workers’ compensation

Employees in North Carolina generally trust that their employer has their best interests in mind and will put their safety first. Though that is nearly always true, there are times when companies may overlook seemingly small safety violations, incorrectly assuming that these violations do not pose much of a threat. However, this is a potentially dangerous attitude that can lead to injured workers who then need to use workers’ compensation. The Occupational Safety and Health Association takes any and all safety violations very seriously and will hold companies accountable for employee safety.

As part of a recent OSHA investigation, the U.S. Department of Labor says that it will levy a significant fine at the national chain known as Dollar Tree. OSHA claims that one location committed several safety violations that could endanger employees. These violations include blocking emergency exits and fire extinguishers and stacking merchandise in an unstable manner.

The fine is in excess of $477,000. Dollar Tree has several options, including contesting the findings, fixing the various safety hazards or asking for an informal meeting with OSHA representatives, though it has to respond to the report within the next few weeks. One spokesperson for OSHA claimed that the chain is the subject of numerous safety violation complaints, with people pointing to other locations around the country.

This is just one case of a company facing claims of not making employee safety a top priority. An employee injured on the job may have to be away from work for considerable time and incur significant expense in treatment. Workers’ compensation benefits can help North Carolina employees and their families through a potentially difficult time. Those who are unsure of how to manage a workers’ compensation claim may want to discuss the matter with an attorney with extensive experience in this area of the law.