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In all businesses, accident awareness and the promotion of safety is vital for keeping everybody safe, as our Personal Injury Solicitors explain below. Regular training can be made fun as well as educational. Any issues that arise should be brought to the attention of a dedicated safety officer who will proactively address. The day-to-day operations of any business will be run more efficiently when everybody feels safe and actively reports any potential danger, thereby preventing personal injury claims.
During training, a safety policy should be read and understood by employees and employers alike. They should be encouraged to ask questions about the policy and raise any issues of concern. There should be regular check-ups on safety protocols and knowledge of the best course of action to be taken in order to avoid accidents. An outsourced safety officer can attend the premises to tighten up these protocols and regulations.
Why You Should Have A Workplace Safety Policy
If a company does not already have safety policy programs in place, then one can be sourced from a specialist. This person can attend the premises and check the day-to-day running of operations. They will compile a set of rules and protocols to keep everyone safe. This will include regular training for all staff members.
Studies have shown that having safety protocols in place and conducting regular training dramatically reduces the risk of accidents in the workplace. Lives have been saved and many serious injuries have been prevented by following simple steps and guidelines.
This in turn inspires confidence in all staff members. Employees know that their employers have their best interests in mind. Employers feel more at ease, knowing that they themselves and their staff are in a safer position.
Businesses that have a good safety programme in place are generally run better than those without one. This shows that they care about the well being of their team. Insurance companies recognise this and an adherence to work safety programme can reduce the cost of a company’s insurance policy.
Following safety rules and having a programme in place helps to improve business all the time. Everybody’s attitude is better when they know they are being protected while they go about their work. Promoting safety in the workplace is practical and highly advisable. A company stands to do much better when it takes the safety of all people into consideration on a regular basis, making for happier staff and a significantly reduced need to consult your injury solicitors.
As our personal injury solicitors know only too well, regrettably accidents in the workplace are almost all avoidable.
Most companies are learning more and more that safety precautions and protocols are good for business, as well as being necessary for the well-being of the team, and avoiding any unnecessary personal injury claim.
When a company has a good safety program in place, accidents and personal injuries are more easily avoided. This improves the morale within the business and everybody can get on with their day to day tasks. It also makes a business more attractive for new talent to want to work with that company. Other businesses will see that and in turn, they too will be attracted to a well run business.
Insurance policy premiums become more reasonably priced when good safety measures are in place. It stands to reason that the fewer personal injuries and accidents that occur, the easier it will be for an insurance company to have confidence in the business. Many industry-based businesses take pride in the amount of days it has been since an accident has occurred on their premises. This is often recognised and encouraged by insurance companies.
Summer is the best season for driving in your car with the window down. Everyone loves the sunshine and during the good weather the mood is relaxed. However, it’s important to stay responsible and adhere to road safety rules in order to prevent accidents.
Here are four top safety tips from Dublin’s leading Personal Injury Solicitors:
A lot of people wait until their vehicle indicates that it is time to top up their fluids. In warmer weather, the engine in your vehicle heats up faster and this means that waiting for the light to come on could end in disaster.
Fluids in the vehicle should be regularly checked and topped up to ensure optimum efficiency.
While it is important that your car fluids are topped up, you should always stay hydrated yourself. If you are in your car for a prolonged period in hot weather, you should have water on hand at all times. Before any long journey, check that you have enough cold water with you. Investing in an insulated bottle is a good idea as the water will stay cool even if your car starts to heat up. You should avoid soft drinks that do not hydrate you as well as water does.
Many people suffer from Summer allergies. These can be extremely problematic when you are driving. Sneezing and having watery eyes when you are on the road is not safe. If you take medication to control your allergies, you need to be careful. There are some medications that cause drowsiness and blurred vision. Be sure that any medication you are taking is safe for driving and will not impair your senses.
Having the sun out is wonderful, but it can also lead to sudden sun glare which can be very dangerous when you are driving. Impaired vision due to sun glare is one of the most common causes of road traffic accidents in the summer months. The first step will be to ensure that your windscreen is clean and to replace worn windscreen wipers. Marks and dirt on the windscreen can amplify the glare. You should also make use of the overhead sun visor when you can and wear sunglasses that reduce glare.
When driving in the Summer months, there are certain steps that can help to reduce the chances of an accident occurring. Check that your car fluids are topped up regularly. Staying hydrated. Be conscious of any allergies you may have. On sunny days, be aware that sun glare can happen in an instant. Always have a sense of awareness when you are on the road.
In the unfortunate event that an accident does occur. Contact Personal Injuries Solicitors Dublin for fast and reliable advice.
During the winter months, Irish roads are often covered in flood waters from rivers, lakes, overflooded ditches sea and ocean. Floodwaters are one of the hazards we face on a yearly basis. Whether or not you live in an area that suffers from frequent flooding, it’s useful to know what to do if you find yourself in caught up in a flood situation. Here are some tips that will help to prevent accidents from occurring on flooded roads.
First and foremost, never drive through water if you are unsure how deep it is. Wait and proceed with caution. If your car stalls in the middle of a body of water, all sorts of issues can arise. Other cars could impact your vehicle or, if the flooding gets worse, your car could be badly damaged.
Proceed with caution, if you are driving during very wet weather. This is the case, regardless of whether or not your vehicle is four-wheel drive and capable of driving in extreme conditions.
Driving fast during a flood increases your chances of being involved in an accident. This includes accidents with other drivers, pedestrians and stray objects. Always take your time and be aware of your surroundings.
If there is extreme flooding, you should do your best to get to higher ground. The closer you are to sea level, the more at risk you are of being involved in an accident.
If you are at home, secure any items that can be swept away. Large items such as garden furniture and tools can become a serious hazard to you and anyone who might be stuck outside during a flood.
Our last tip on preventing accidents during a flood is to listen out for flood warning updates. Do this by tuning into the radio, watching TV or following news outlets on social media. Take official warnings and advice seriously because they may save your life.
Whiplash is a neck injury that is commonly caused by car accidents. Typically, the vehicle is hit from behind, causing the victims head to be violently and suddenly thrown backwards. This can cause damage to the neck muscles that essentially support the head.
What are the symptoms of Whiplash?
Whiplash injuries can vary in their degree of severity from mildly uncomfortable to severely and acutely painful. Whiplash injuries are often accompanied by pain in the shoulders and back due to the impact of the vehicles in the accident. In more extreme cases, a whiplash sufferer can develop vertigo, dizziness, a ringing sound in their ears, pain in the jaw and they can have difficulty in swallowing.
While these are some of the physical side effects of whiplash, other psychological symptoms can manifest in the form of disturbed sleeping patterns, nervousness, irritability, inability to concentrate and in more extreme cases even memory loss, and depression.
Do I have a case if I have suffered Whiplash?
Whiplash cases are one on the most common injury law suits that are instituted. However, due to the nature of the injury, the victim often does not display any other physical injury such as cuts or broken bones etc. Photographs of any bruising or evidence of seatbelt strain on the body in the aftermath of a car accident can be helpful at a later stage.
It’s important to seek medical attention and have any injuries diagnosed and documented by a hospital doctor or GP. Evidence of the initial care sought will help give an account your injuries and will form the basis for a medical report that will be taken up at a later stage.
Whiplash victims often have to take time off from work and other activities, especially in the early stages of the injury. They may be entitled to seek damages for loss of earnings and other expenses such as medical costs and other expenses that can occur, as well as general damages for pain and suffering.
Whether you are lifting objects, exercising, sitting or sleeping, it is important to be conscious of your back position and posture. Back injuries are quite common and can range from mildly uncomfortable to being extremely painful and requiring surgery.
As we get older, degeneration, wear and tear are factors that also come into play. This is why it’s especially important to ensure that your back stays protected as you carry out your day to day activities. Let’s look at some lifting tips that can help ensure your back stays protected.
Adopt the correct stance and position relevant to the object you are lifting. If it feels awkward, then take a minute to evaluate the situation.
If your job requires a lot of lifting, then you should have been given manual handling training. If you have not, then request same from your employer with regular refresher training so that everybody can stay safe.
Prevention is better than cure and good health in general will help to avoid back injury. It’s important to remain active and exercise. Some people are able to go to the gym and work specific back muscles and increase strength. An experiences personal trainer will be able to assist in this regard.
Even if you are not able to make it to the gym, going for a walk, stretching everyday and a good diet will help to keep you healthy and avoid inflammation. Instead of watching television, get out into the fresh air and move your body.
In the interest of keeping you safe, we have prepared three tips for accident-free cycling:
Become familiar with and adhere to the Highway Code. Don’t jump traffic lights or cycle on pavements, as you may become a hazard to pedestrians. Always have regard for road conditions, and understand that wet roads can become slippery.
Use lights and bright or reflective clothing, to allow other road users the maximum opportunity to be aware of your presence on the road. Signal clearly when turning,and use your bell when approaching pedestrians.
The inside lane when vehicles are turning left. Understand that while other road users may not necessarily be aware of your presence, you must be aware of theirs, anticipate their movements. Be especially conscious of your surroundings when cycling alongside large vehicles like buses or lorries – particularly at junctions.
There are few things that are worse than being hurt while you are at work. If you are in this unfortunate situation, it is important for you to think carefully before proceeding. Here are some mistakes that need to be avoided along the way
Some people simply shrug it off when they are injured at work, but this is not always a wise decision. While you may not feel like you are in any pain in the immediate aftermath of an accident continuing to work can make things worse. For instance, if you have fallen on your back, you may have a bruise or tear that has yet to affect you. Adrenaline and shock can delay the onset of pain. Avoid any strenuous activities until your exact condition can be determined.
Most employers in Ireland have policies and procedures in place that should followed in the event of an accident occurring. If you are in a workplace accident, you should report accident it to a supervisor and ask them if they have an accident report form. If they do not have one in place as part of their procedure, you should take note of the accident yourself and outline the details such as, date of accident, time, place, how it occurred and whom it was reported to. Take photos of the accident location and of any details that will assist you in the future. Note the names of any witnesses and enquire as to whether there is any CCTV capturing the incident. You should request a copy of this footage or ask your supervisor to retain a copy.
When a workplace accident occurs, people often dismiss it, or they are too embarrassed to seek medical assistance. Their injuries can go unchecked for several days or even weeks as they carry out their duties. However, there are several reasons why this is not the correct thing to do. Your health and well being are the most important assets you have. Leaving an injury untreated can make things worse and if it is clear from medical notes that your injury was neglected, the insurer may ask why you did not mitigate your loss by seeking medical attention in a timely fashion.
People often hope that an injury will resolve itself without the need for medical intervention and this is understandable. However, if the injury seems to be getting worse rather than better, its best to have it examined by a medical expert as soon as possible.
The same can be said for recovery and aftercare. For example, if a GP recommends that you go to physiotherapy, then it’s important that you book in with a physiotherapist. Often, a few sessions will assist greatly and by doing so, you put yourself in the best position to recover more quickly.
If you are unfortunate enough to be in an accident at work, then it’s important that you know what your options are. One way to be absolutely clear on this is to talk to an expert in the area of Personal Injury Law. They will help you determine what your next course of action should be. It can sometimes be awkward when a workplace accident occurs. So rather than rushing into any particular course of action, you should take some time to seek clarity.
It can be painful physically and emotionally when you get in an accident while at work. Things will only get worse if you do not take the right steps after an incident has occurred. Avoid all of these mistakes and there should not be any issues.
In the aftermath of a workplace accident, it’s important to take the correct steps to protect your health as well as your legal rights. The above tips are useful as guide that will assist you in doing so. Following these few simple guidelines will benefit you greatly if you decide to take a personal injury case for any negligence that has occurred. However, every case has a unique set of circumstances. So speaking with expert Personal Injury Solicitor will give you the best advice that is suited to your particular situation.
Insurance providers that defend personal injury claims have specialist solicitors and teams acting on their behalf. That is one of the reasons why you should be working with an experienced personal injury solicitor for your case. Even when liability is admitted at the scene of an accident by the driver who is at fault, it is prudent to put yourself in the best tactical position by choosing a personal injury specialist solicitor to act for you.
The law surrounding personal injury in Ireland is quite complex and changes often. A specialist personal injury solicitor is the best professional to give you up to date advice on all aspects of your case.
A personal injury solicitor who deals with insurance companies on a daily basis should naturally be more experienced than someone who does a little bit everything within their law practice. A solicitor should be approachable, sympathetic, and be able to effectively communicate with you - the client.
A personal referral from a family member, friend, or co-worker who has actually had a case with the solicitor ad was happy with the outcome is a great way of finding a reputable personal injury solicitor. You may save a lot of time by hiring a solicitor recommended by someone you trust. From there, you should contact the solicitor and see if you think they will be the best person to represent you. A good working relationship is vital in legal cases.
Setting up a safety program is important for all businesses. Regular training and an understanding of the dangers that present themselves in a particular place of work is vital. This will rapidly reduce the amount of accidents that take place. Training often begins when an employee first starts working. However, it is important that regular refresher courses take place.
Safety training classes should be educational, practical and can also be fun. The morale of the class should be kept up and an understanding that the team are responsible for each other should be conveyed. A good instructor will strike the balance and get the message across of how important safety in the workplace really is. This person should be a motivational speaker that can capture the attention of their audience and encourage them to participate in the training. Specific training may have to take place in a particular area that an employee is involved in. For example, a specialised piece of equipment or machinery. This can take place separately in addition to training for when a personal injury occurs.
Safety in the workplace is a must. Companies everywhere are understanding that it is their responsibility for promoting safety in the workplace on a regular basis. It shows compassion for staff and visitors in general. Making a safe workplace is a sign that a company is interested in the welfare of everyone that steps foot on their property and they are working diligently to make sure that it is a safe place to be. Customers and workers alike find that it improves their attitude towards the company in general, and saves enormous potential downtime by sidestepping claims for personal injury before they occur.