For Dallas Businesses, There’s A Huge Opportunity To Protect Workers
2021 has ushered in a shake-up of workplace health and safety regulations not seen since the OSH act of 1970. Despite a huge rise in the number of violations, inspections dropped by half according to a report by CBS, and this has spurred local legislators and private business owners to put more in place to protect workers. Where federal lawmakers and regulators cannot provide, private citizens have to clear up - but, what exactly, is being done to ensure Dallas workers are protected?
Full cover
At the heart of employee protections is workers comp. While workers comp is a business expenditure mandated by most states and the federal authorities, healthcare advocates Alpha.org note that only 21% of plans go the full mile in covering the costs of injury. When it comes to workmans comp Texas has been in a better state than nationally; according to Insurance Journal, the level of cover and related claims has been at equitable levels in the state for the past two years.
OSHA protections
Furthermore, while Texas law is reducing the constraints placed on people and businesses with regards to COVID restrictions, protections remain progressive when it comes to workplaces. The National Law Review notes that employers must still comply with OSHA which has had several additions since early 2020. This goes a little extra towards protecting employers and employees alike by providing federal cover over the requirements behind protecting employees in current conditions.
Federal improvements?
Good work conducted by authorities in Dallas may be influencing the federal government into action. OSHA has highlighted a series of suits filed by the federal authority against businesses in Dallas for unsafe working practices. While this is only a small step in the long-term battle against unsafe health and safety conditions in the workplace, it is a positive one. If the federal authorities are getting serious about health and safety and how to protect it, this will cast a huge statement in support of the agencies and businesses that have been doing their best within the state to improve the situation.
Right now, with the face of health and safety ever-shifting, that’s more important of a factor than ever. Dallas workers need protections; businesses need to know where they stand. Keeping up the hard work locally is forcing federal agencies to act - and to act now.
