Missouri’s Guidelines on Workplace Health and Safety Standards for Employee Well-being

What Protections Are in Place to Help Keep Missouri Employees Safe?

When you go to work, you have a right to feel safe and protected — physically, emotionally, and mentally. However, for many Missourians, this isn’t the case. Some people are working in jobs where safety regulations are disregarded, employers are taking shortcuts in the name of saving money, or the culture takes a toll on employee well-being. When you’re experiencing issues at work that make you concerned for your safety, understanding the guidelines in place for workplace health and safety and how an employment law attorney can help you is key.

Missouri Workplace Accident Statistics

Workplace accidents are a serious threat to employees in all industries in Missouri. Some concerning statistics to be aware of include the following.

• Missouri ranks No. 2 for the number of workplace accidents that end in fatalities
• There were 88,295 workplace incidents that resulted in injury in 2023
• 87 employees died in workplace accidents in 2023
• The industries with the highest number of workplace fatalities are generally agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, construction, and transportation and warehousing

While these are troublesome numbers, even more worrying is the fact that many of these accidents may have been able to be prevented if proper safety procedures and guidelines were implemented. If you were injured in an accident that resulted from an employer not following safety standards, our attorney can help you understand your legal options and get compensation for your injuries.

Employee Safety Resources

To help keep employees safe in the workplace, the federal and state governments have put together resources to ensure that there are safety standards, policies, and procedures in place. Understanding what resources are out there and which ones apply to your industry can help you stay safer at work and recognize when the guidelines are being ignored.

OSHA Safety Guidelines

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that is responsible for ensuring that there are industry standards for safety in what workplace and that employees cannot be retaliated against for whistleblowing. It also provides training materials and other supports and resources for both employees and employers. While OSHA operates at the national level, there are also state-level resources for those specifically in Missouri. 

The exact OSHA safety guidelines that apply to your workplace vary by industry, but some general areas of focus include:

• The safety of working and walking surfaces
• Having preplanned exit routes for emergencies
• Considering occupational noise exposure
• The containment and disposal of hazardous materials
• Usage of personal protective equipment
• Sanitation and waste disposal
• Availability of first aid supplies and training

Specific industries, such as construction and transportation, have detailed requirements for safety policies and procedures to help employees and employers avoid accidents and injuries. 

Missouri’s Worksite Wellness Program

The state of Missouri has a Worksite Wellness program that is focused on providing resources and support services to employees to promote overall well-being in the workplace. Through its program, it aims to reduce the number of missed days for employees, improve productivity at work, reduce health care costs for employers and employees, reduce the number of workplace injuries, and improve overall employee morale. The Worksite Wellness program provides educational resources and action plans employers can implement to improve worker well-being. The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations also has other resources, including the Missouri Workers’ Safety Program.

Greater Attention to Employee Mental Health

Studies show that an increasing number of employees are dealing with burnout, and employers are starting to put more resources toward supporting employees’ mental health. This can impact overall productivity and help reduce the number of workplace accidents, as employees who are burnt out, disengaged, or otherwise unhappy in their work may be more likely to not take all safety precautions or be involved in accidents. 

OSHA provides several guidelines for employers and managers to follow to help support employee mental health, including:

• Paying attention to language and avoiding words that could be seen as stigmatizing or negative
• Being as transparent as possible with employees so they know what’s going on in the company and remain engaged
• Offering assistance to employees when there is a problem, whether that’s looking for ways to temporarily decrease their workload or providing an environment that doesn’t allow for workplace toxicity or sexual harassment
• Modeling good behavior, including following all recommended safety guidelines

If you’re dealing with issues in the workplace that are affecting your mental health, such as discrimination or sexual harassment, our attorneys can advise you of what legal options may be available.

What Should You Do If You’ve Been Injured at Work?

If you’ve been injured at work or are dealing with discrimination or harassment, the steps you take immediately after the incident can help ensure that your issues are addressed and that you are compensated for any damages. First, ensure there is documentation of the incident. This should include alerting your employer to the issue and following up with any other professionals, such as a health care provider if you were hurt. The next step is to meet with an attorney to discuss what happened and what your legal options may be. In some cases, these situations can be resolved quickly, but in others, you may need legal assistance to ensure your rights are protected.

If you need help with an incident or issue at work in the Kirkwood, Missouri, area, call Riggan Law Firm at 314-528-9661.