Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
Many people dream of going into business for themselves. Today, telecommuting, flex work arrangements, and self-employment are becoming more popular types of work. While being your own boss can allow you to embrace more freedom, it does not mean that you don’t have to worry about workplace safety. Workplace injury can still happen in your Hollywood workplace – even if your workplace is your home office.
If you are your own boss, that means that you are the one responsible for keeping you and your employees (if you have any) safe. To do so, you will want to:
1) Find out about – and follow – safety standards.
Visit the OSHA website to find out about workplace safety. Even if your work seems quite safe because you spend much of the day in front of your computer at home in your home office, there are still safety concerns and standards you will need to follow. For example, you may need to take precautions to prevent repetitive strain injury. At the very least, you will need smoke detectors and fire extinguishers and other basic safety devices in your office.
2) Get safety training for your organization.
If you have employees or are new in your business, get safety training from a certified organization if it is available in your field. This is usually a tax-deductible expense and classes can help teach you and your team how to avoid common injury.
3) Have a written safety policy.
Even if you only work for yourself and have no employees, a written safety policy shows that you are serious about safety and acts as a reminder to yourself to take workplace safety seriously. By writing out what you need for a safety and healthy workplace, you may even find issues and concerns that you may not have thought about before. In the event of a fire or other problem, a written safety policy can show insurance companies and others that you have taken safety seriously at your workplace.
4) Get the best insurance you can afford.
No one can predict or prevent all possible dangers. Get quality insurance for your business. This is also generally tax-deductible, so invest in the best coverage possible. You will especially want to look into liability or personal liability insurance as this can protect you in the event a client launches a lawsuit. You will need additional coverage for your workspace if you meet clients or customers there.
5) Have gatekeepers or a plan for workplace violence.
Even if you work from home or are your own boss, it does not mean that you are immune from violence. If you hire workers or contractors, you will need to screen them to ensure that they do not have a history of aggression. If you meet with clients in person, you will need to take steps to protect yourself against aggressive or dangerous clients. You can do this by meeting in public (such as a café or shared office space) or by having someone else in your home when you meet with clients in your home office.
If you have sustained a workplace injury, it can be difficult to know where to turn. The attorneys at Flaxman Law Group understand how upsetting and frightening job-related injury can be, which is why we work hard to provide thorough and compassionate legal advice and representation for our clients. Contact our law firm today if you have been injured and would like a free, no obligation case review.