Massachusetts Workers Compensation Lawyers Blog
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently joined forced with Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC-United) to raise awareness about the importance of worker safety. They’ll be working to educate employees and employers about ways to reduce injuries under their new “Alliance Program.” The two organizations will be focusing on trip, fall, slip, burn and cut injuries on the job. They will also be addressing safe workplace issues that affect small businesses and young employees in an attempt to prevent work injuries in Massachusetts and elsewhere..
“Many teens’ first work experience is in the restaurant industry, so this Alliance is a great opportunity to reach these and other restaurant workers and employers to raise awareness of ways to promote safer, more healthful workplaces,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, David Michaels.
Our Boston workers compensation attorneys understand that restaurants and various other types of drinking and eating businesses currently employ nearly 12 million people in the U.S. About 30 percent of these employees are under the age of 21. It is important for parents and employers to look after these young workers as they’re not always aware of their right as an employee in the U.S. Many of these individuals may not know to speak up against unsafe work conditions or may be too intimidated to do so. In 2006, 30 teens under the age of 18 died from work-related injuries. By helping to educate the public, the Alliance Program aims to enhance worker safety among restaurant workers.
The two organizations created the alliance to produce important fact sheets and health and safety pamphlets to raise awareness about the commonality of cuts, burns, trips, slips and falls. The two organizations will also be creating case studies on lessons learned. These will be created to help train employees and employers on how to effectively handle dangers and hazards in the restaurant industry.
ROC-United is an organization recognized nationwide and has workers across the country. It currently has about 8,000 members. It was founded back in 2008. ROC-United uses its efforts to focus on making work conditions safer for everyone who works in a restaurant. It also coordinates a number of nationwide campaigns for employees of the industry.
Through these two organizations and their formation of the Alliance, they work with employers, employees, safe workplace advocates and other groups to reduce the risks of work-related illnesses, injuries and fatalities. Some of these other groups include educational institutions, community-based organizations, consulates, unions, business institutions, faith-based organizations and other professional and traded organizations.
All of these parties work with one another to develop tools to help make sure that businesses are working within federal safety regulations. They also work diligently to educate workers and share important information regarding work safety with employers and employees. The participants of the Alliance Program are not exempt from OSHA inspections.
If you or a loved one has been injured on the job, contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers for assistance. Accountability is the number one priority so call toll free at (617) 777-7777 for a free appointment to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
Supermarket Fined Thousands for Failing to Prevent Work-Related Accidents in New England, Massachusetts Workers Compensation Lawyers Blog, November 1, 2011
Hearing Loss-Related Work Accidents in Boston and Elsewhere the Topic of OSHA Meeting, Massachusetts Workers Compensation Lawyers Blog, October 9, 2011