The Most Important Thing to Seek in a Light Industrial Job
Are you seeking a light industrial job? Before you send in your resume, you may want to check out the company’s safety record.
Why?
Every day 13 American workers are killed on the job, according to data compiled by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the federal regulatory agency known as OSHA. In 2014, nearly 3.8 million work-related injuries and illnesses were reported to OSHA.
While great strides in safety have been made since OSHA was established by Congress in 1970, workers on the job remain at serious risk of injury, illness or death. One reason is that companies are self-regulated for safety, meaning they police themselves. OSHA can only inspect a small fraction of workplaces each year, only the ones who have reported accidents or have received complaints. That leaves worker safety squarely in the hands of the company. Too often, less-conscientious businesses don’t put the effort, time and money into real workplace safety improvements. That means your dream job could injure or kill you.
As a job seeker, it’s likely that you want to work for a company that prioritizes your health and well being. An ideal employer will ensure your workplace is up to code, provide safety training, and regularly perform safety checks on equipment. A solid safety record is a great indicator of this. That’s why before you accept a job offer, you should research whether the company has a sky high OSHA incident rate. If they do, consider it a red flag. Most likely, they’re not committed to their employees’ health and safety.
Thanks to the internet, it’s easy to research a company’s inspection history and violations through OSHA’s Establishment Search. This online database allows users to view all accident and injury data for most U.S. companies. Just type in the company name to view their safety and health incident rates. You can also search by geography and industry.
As this article demonstrates, it makes sense to research the safety record of a prospective employer before accepting a position. It can make the difference between working for a good company — or a great company.
For more information about finding jobs or advice on navigating the hiring process, visit the Nesco Resource website