Question

Ethan goes back to work at Best Box Toy Company after completing jury duty. On his first day back, he slips, falls, and breaks his arm while stocking toys. He can't work for two months. Ethan's boss knows about the incident and the injury. Which of the following actions should Ethan's boss take to ensure proper workplace safety and compliance with legal regulations?

Answer 1

Ethan's boss should provide safety training, maintain injury records, supply personal protective equipment, post OSHA notices, and notify OSHA of severe incidents to ensure workplace safety and compliance with regulations. Temporary and permanent workers must receive equal safety consideration.

Step-by-step explanation:

In response to the workplace incident involving Ethan, his boss should immediately take several critical steps to ensure workplace safety and compliance with legal regulations. First, it is essential to provide comprehensive safety training to all workers, tailored to their understanding and in their language if necessary. Accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses must be maintained. Additionally, workplace conditions should be regularly tested for compliance with OSHA standards, including air sampling where required.

Furthermore, the employer is responsible for supplying personal protective equipment at no cost to the workers and ensuring that medical tests such as hearing exams are conducted when mandated by OSHA. Critical to the process is the requirement to post OSHA citations and the annual summary of work-related injuries and illnesses in a visible area for all employees. In the event of severe incidents, such as a fatality, hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye, OSHA must be notified promptly within the specified time frames.

The official OSHA Job Safety and Health poster must be displayed in the workplace to inform workers of their rights and responsibilities. Should there be any grievances related to workplace safety, employees have the right to submit confidential complaints. Temporary workers are to be regarded with the same considerations as permanent employees, with staffing agencies and host employers sharing joint responsibility for their safety.

To ensure future worker safety in the state of New York, it is key to enforce these safety measures rigorously, conduct regular inspections, and foster a culture that prioritizes long-term employee well-being over short-term cost savings, as evidenced by historical precedents such as the Firestone/Ford controversy.