During the holiday season, many companies experience an influx in business. This may be in retail stores or restaurants due to a great deal of shopping that occurs this time of the year. It is because of this that, oftentimes, employers who are in this position choose to hire extra labor for assistance during this time. While these people work only on a seasonal basis, it is important to be aware that they are entitled to the same benefits as full-time workers. This includes the right to workers’ compensation. With this, part-time employees who sustain a work-related injury during the holiday season may be eligible to recover the benefits that workers’ compensation provides.
Seasonal Workers’ Risk of Injury
Seasonal workers usually have a lack of training and experience compared to those who work full-time. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), many employers try to save money by not providing proper training to temporary employees instead of giving them the lessons they need to remain safe. Due to this, seasonal workers face a higher risk of becoming injured or ill while on the job. As a result of this, OSHA launched a Temporary Worker Initiative in 2013 to draw attention to how important it is for an employer to fulfill their responsibility to prevent injuries to the temporary workers they hire.
As we all know, the winter season presents people with more difficulties on a daily basis than other seasons do. This is due to the cold as well as any snow or ice that may be present. These seasonal changes present their own dangers that put employees at risk for certain injuries. This is especially so for employees who work outside. Common injuries that are sustained during the winter can include:
- Cold stress injuries
- Burns and electrical injuries
- Slip and fall injuries
- Car accident injuries
Protecting Temporary Employees
The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act requires employers to protect those they hire, even part-time workers, from any dangers that may arise. This is done by identifying and remedying any hazards that may arise in the workplace before they can put employees at risk. When temporary workers are hired by staffing agencies, there is a joint responsibility to protect the workers. Staffing agencies are obligated to look into information regarding a company’s safety, health, training, personal protective equipment, and other necessary safeguards for temporary workers.
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If you or a loved one has been in a personal injury accident in Pennsylvania, it’s important that you contact an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney to help you with your case and to make sure that you are not taken advantage of. Contact Spear Greenfield to get the right attorney in your corner.
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