Potential Hazards of Cell Phones in the Workplace
While it’s hard to imagine, just a few decades ago carrying a cell phone was a foreign concept for most people. But these days, cell phones are a part of everyday life. According to the Pew Research Center, over 96 percent of Americans now have a cell phone of some kind. This includes the approximately 81 percent of Americans who self-identify as having a smartphone. These devices can definitely come in handy in the event of a workplace accident. However, cell phones can also be a major source of distraction at worksites and can increase the risk of workplace accidents significantly.
The Benefit of Cell Phones in the Workplace
According to the National Safety Council, over 12,000 workers are injured on-the-job every single day. Many of these injuries lead to claims for workers’ compensation benefits that must be documented to help substantiate the claim. In addition to the other ways that the substantial increase in smartphone use nationwide over the past few decades has had an effect on many aspects of our day-to-day lives, it has also shifted how workers’ compensation claims are documented. Therefore, cell phones can have a clear benefit in the workplace in the event of a workplace accident and can help an injured worker later prove facts needed to substantiate a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
What Are Potential Hazards of Cell Phones in the Workplace?
Cell phones give users access to many different features including the ability to surf the internet, send text messages, and interact with apps and games. These kinds of distractions can lead to a huge loss of productivity on the job and this is one reason why many employers ban cell phone usage while at work. In addition to the fact that cell phone usage at work can decrease production, it can also cause accidents. Cell phone use in the workplace can create hazards such as:
- Car accidents. Some positions allow employee access to a company vehicle. But unfortunately, the risks of using phones while driving vehicles is well documented. Texting while driving can cause an accident that affects not only the worker operating the vehicle, but also others on the road.
- Equipment accidents. There are many workplace industries in which workers regularly use heavy machinery such as forklifts, bulldozers, and chainsaws. Using a cell phone on the job when utilizing this kind of equipment can easily lead to serious consequences and can even cost someone their life.
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured in a Workplace Accident?
Even if an employer has no restrictions on cell phone use, every worker should understand that texting or updating social media while performing any workplace task has the potential to be dangerous. Simply being distracted for a moment can cause major injuries and property damage. And when it comes to the workplace, even a small error can result in a workplace catastrophe. The good news is that the Miami workers’ compensation attorneys at Payer & Associates have helped many injured workers in similar situations. We are the legal team that you can depend on to help you get the benefits you deserve. Begin by contacting us today to schedule a free consultation.
Resource:
pewinternet.org/fact-sheet/mobile/
https://www.payerandassociates.com/what-does-florida-workers-compensation-insurance-cover/
