The Occupational Safety and Health Administration released a new standard concerning the manner that hazardous chemicals are handled at work. Failure to abide by this standard will, of course, result in an OSHA citation and possible workers' compensation claims. In 5 million workplaces in the United States, there are 43 million workers dealing with these chemicals. The chemicals can be used in a wide variety of occupations. The workers dealing with these chemicals can include funeral homes, nail salons, and a large number of manufacturers.

A program known as the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program is providing training concerning understanding of the new rules. Part of the training involves teaching employees about labeling and safety data sheets. This program is especially focusing upon workers in the rural Pennsylvania area.

It is hoped that the new standard could prevent 500 injuries or illnesses that occur at the workplace on an annual basis. Reducing chemically related accidents is a win-win circumstance for employers and employees alike. Obviously a goal to reduce injuries that come about due to chemical use will benefit workers.

There are already a large number of dangers at the industrial workplace. While most employers will do what they can to abide by the new OSHA standard, there will likely be some places of business that will ignore safety considerations. We've seen over and over again the results of failing to put in place a safety protocol. We need to make certain that employer's make the effort to ensure that regulations are met.

In those circumstances, injured workers may wish to speak to an experienced workers' compensation attorney at Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. to figure out which parties may be held accountable.

Source: Penn State News, "PennTAP training works to prevent chemical injuries in the workplace," 27 May 2014