Workplace safety is often thought about in the context of having standards in place regarding how to properly use industrial equipment or deal with a hazardous chemical spill. While these are of course steps that employers of workers in industrial settings throughout the Pittsburgh area should undertake, as the shooting at Western Psych illustrates, employers need to take into consideration ways to protect their workers from other people as well.

To that end, one Butler County business is being looked to in an effort to protect workers at various places of employment from the dangers posed by bullets. The defense contractor, Ibis Tek, specializes in creating materials, such as windows, which are designed to stop bullets. Known as "transparent armor," it is used by the U.S. Army in vehicles being driven in some war zones. Locally, it is possible that it could be used in a location such as a courthouse.

Pittsburgh area employers may find that taking the time to have safety procedures in place could drastically reduce the amount of money it would ultimately have to spend on workers' compensation insurance. This is because most employers in the state of Pennsylvania are required to purchase a policy to help cover expenses workers may incur related to such an injury sustained while at work. It is potentially available regardless of the nature of the incident causing the injury.

These benefits are not always easy to secure and it is not uncommon for applicants seeking workers' compensation benefits to initially be turned down. Accordingly, many find that it is beneficial to work with an attorney who has handled these types of cases in the past.

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "Mass shooting fears keep Butler-based defense contractor busy," Mike Wereschagin, Jan. 12, 2013