Citizens of California rely heavily on firefighters and paramedics during emergencies. Not only are firefighters often first responders in natural disasters, explosions, wildfires and other calamities, but they also run into burning buildings. They risk their lives every day to keep others alive, regardless of the workplace injuries they might suffer, and their loved ones are always aware of the fact that they might not come home safely.
Workers in all kinds of industries get hurt on the job every day. While certain industries may be more prone to workplace accidents than others, an injury can happen in just about any field. After all, retail workers could slip on a wet floor and hurt their heads. Factory and office workers could suffer repetitive motion injuries from doing the same work every day for years.
Workers can suffer all kinds of injuries while on the job. It only takes a second for a wet spot on the floor to cause a slip-and-fall incident or for a piece of machinery to malfunction. Workers often end up suffering severe injuries that leave them unable to return to their job for many days or even weeks.
Along with all the usual occupational hazards, this is the time of the year when employees in California have to cope with the dangers posed by summer heat. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health once again reminded employers of their responsibilities to train workers on the hazards of heat illness and how to prevent it. A written list of procedures must be developed and implemented for systems to prevent heat-related workplace injuries or illnesses.