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Workplace safety is very important for each company to consider, and technology is making it increasingly easy to keep your employees safe. Unfortunately, if you do not take the proper steps to keep your employees safe, you will probably find yourself on the wrong end of a lawsuit. Instead of dealing with an issue like this, you should explore the options that technology presents to your specific field. By doing this, you will not only greatly reduce the likelihood of being sued, but you will also make each of your employees feel like they are valued.
Using Technology for Safety
Security Authorization – There are countless ways to put technology to work for your business. For example, if your business is very high-profile or creates something controversial, then you can install security measures to keep people from accessing your location. Card readers are the most common version of this technology, but some places even use fingerprint verification. By taking one of these steps, you can prevent a potential deadly situation with an unauthorized person.
Computers – Another good usage of technology for safety is to let computers do things that previously had to be done by people. For example, if you are in the movie industry, you can make each job site safer by using a green screen to make it look like an actor is hanging several hundred feet in the air.
Cameras – A lot of employees are leery of closed camera systems, but this security option is one of the best ways to deter people from stealing or injuring one of your employees. The more cameras that you have in place, the better chance that your location will be passed over by would-be criminals for a location that is easier to access. Even if the cameras are not actually recording anything, their mere presence should deter most potential issues.
What is My Legal Responsibility?
If you own a business and you choose not to provide any safety measures, you can be held liable if any employee is injured. Attorneys at the Perecman Firm would easily see opportunities to make a claim if an employee was injured in an unsafe working environment. In other words, a lot of judges and juries will place the blame on you if you choose not to install a card reader and someone enters the building and kills one of your employees. Therefore, it is always in your best interests to take the time to put the proper safety measures in place. You do need to consider what makes the most sense for your particular environment, however. For example, no judge or jury expects you to have a secured entryway at a restaurant, but they will believe that it is a reasonable thing to expect in an office building.
How often should I Update My Technology?
Depending on your field, there might be new safety technology released on a regular basis. This can place a financial burden on many owners, so it is important to make a plan for how often you will update your safety measures. No one expects you to buy the latest safety technology every time, but it is imperative to make sure that the technology you have in place is still operational. By sticking to this guideline, you can keep your employees safe while also ensuring that you will not have to deal with any safety related lawsuits in the future.
About the Author: Saam Banai is a freelance writer and editor and proponent of safe working environments. The Perecman Firm P.L.L.C. specializes in cases involving personal and workplace related injuries. Over the years, attorney David Perecman, and the rest of the lawyers and staff, have helped victims of accidents and negligence in New York City obtain more than $200 million in verdicts and settlements.
