Each day individuals throughout the state of Pennsylvania go to their job. It is fair to say that none of those individuals wants to work at location where his or her wellbeing will be put in jeopardy. While a steady paycheck is often necessary, few would agree that it is worth putting one's safety or health at risk.

The federal government agrees with this. As a result, the federal agency known as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, works to keep employees throughout the nation safe through the creation and implementation of safety guidelines. It also provides safety training and performs inspections of workplaces. These inspections can be random or the result of a work accident or worker report.

If, as a result of the inspection, violations are found, the business may be subject to fines. This is the case in a soft drink company located in Pennsylvania. After a recent inspection OSHA uncovered a total of 16 violations which led to approximately $130,000 in fines.

The violations covered a wide variety of safety issues including the failure to provide training, the lack of safety guards for machines, defective machinery and electrical hazards. Some of the citations received OSHA had fined the business for previously.

When a workplace is not safe for its workers there is a greater risk that individuals will be hurt while working. In situations where injuries occur, workers can try to obtain benefits via a workers' compensation claim. Such a claim helps workers' financially as they recover but can cost a business a lot of money. This should provide an incentive for employers to do what is necessary to make a workplace safe for its workers.

Source: Occupational Health & Safety, "OSHA Fines Pennsylvania Soft Drink Company Nearly $130,000," Feb. 6, 2013