The Dangers of a Faulty Shut-Off Switch

Industrial workplaces pose extreme risks to employees. Therefore, virtually all industrial workplaces have numerous fail-safes to keep workers safe from faulty equipment. One such fail-safe is a shut-off switch which can be used to stop a machine from operating in the event of an accident.

Shut-off switches are key to protecting workers’ safety and even preventing wrongful deaths. Employers are required to make sure shut-off switches are in proper working order. Learn what may happen when employers fail in this fundamental duty.

Why Are Shut-Off Switches Important?

Most industrial accidents have at least one of the following factors in common: falls, struck by, caught in/between, and electrocution. A shut-off switch can help prevent industrial accidents involving struck by or caught in/between incidents because, most of the time, these types of accidents involve heavy machinery. It’s vital that a shut-off switch be easily accessible and functional in order to shut down a machine when an accident is imminent.

When a shut-off switch is difficult for workers to find or does not work properly, a worker who is caught in heavy machinery can be catastrophically injured or killed. As such, a shut-off switch can literally be a lifesaver.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide a hazard-free environment for workers. In order to meet this requirement, employers must take the proper measures to check all equipment on a work site and address any malfunctions as soon as possible. If a piece of equipment cannot be repaired immediately, then employers must mark the hazard in clear signage in a language that all workers on the site can understand.

The failure to do so may make them liable in a resulting accident.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a preventable industrial accident, our attorneys at Cunningham Bounds can help you recover the compensation you need for medical bills and lost wages. We’re passionate about protecting Alabama workers’ rights, and we’re here to do the same for you.

Contact Cunningham Bounds at (844) 417-0930 to schedule a free consultation.