At this time of year, many people take on extra work to make money for the holiday season. Many stores also need seasonal helpers. Manufacturers need more factory workers to create more products and retailers need more employees to serve the holiday rush.
Temp or seasonal work can be a great solution for both employees and companies. However, it can also create a risk for workplace injuries. Temporary workers may get less training and may be less familiar with workplaces they’ve just joined. In addition, the extra pressure and busy schedules of the holiday season can also increase the chances of a workplace accident. Here’s what you need to know to reduce your risk.
- Get training. If you’re joining a workplace during the holidays, ask for training, especially safety training. If you’re given written materials, study them carefully to make sure you understand safety processes. Should your workplace not offer safety training, you may be able to find some safety information online. Ask your employer for recommendations of training you can take voluntarily and invest as much in safety training as you can.
- If in doubt, ask. Find out who you can talk to if you have questions about a process or safety. If you’re unsure about something, turn to this person.
- Speak up if you see something unsafe. OSHA outlines employee rights, and you’ll want to consult their website to learn what to do if you feel unsafe at work.
- Don’t work sick, distracted, or tired. This is especially the case if you work around corrosive solvents, with heavy machinery, or at heights. If you’re unwell, fatigued, or distracted you could make mistakes or have poor response times. This could put you at risk of head injuries, falls, broken bones, burns, and other serious injuries.
- Ease into your work. Of course, you want to jump right into your role and make a great first impression. However, it’s safer and more effective to ease into your roles, learning as you go. This allows you to learn and understand any safety processes you need to know.
- Consider safety gear. Ask if any safety gear is recommended or needed for your job. If your employer does not provide personal protective equipment you need, such as earplugs in dangerously loud environments, you might want to bring them with you to work yourself.
Employers are expected to take reasonable steps to keep workers safe. If they don’t and you’re injured as a result, you may have two options. If you’re covered by workers’ compensation, you may be entitled to benefits. Many seasonal workers are not covered. If that’s the case for you, you may have a claim against the employer.
No matter what the case, if you’ve been injured at work and now face medical bills and lost income, you can always reach Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 or contact us online to schedule a free accident consultation with a member of our team. Our legal team has already secured over $100 million for our clients in court wins and settlements. We can help you understand whether you may have a case and we’ll work hard to address your questions.