Employment Liability and Workers’ Compensation
Written by Marlo .
The tragic death of Sea World trainer Dawn Brancheau this week illustrates the importance of both active risk management when it comes to employee safety and the need for employers to maintain employment liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
Since the tragedy, videos from observers and tourist have been produced showing the trainer moments before the attack. It has been reported that videos of the attack have been given to Sea World authorities, but excuse me if I don’t put up a link. The point is, OSHA and state authorities are investigating the incident and, in the age of instant video, any employer mistakes are immediately available for both professional investigators and the less informed media.
Employers need active, continual risk management, the same rule enforced day after day after day until the rule seems ridiculous. It is when the risk is forgotten, disregarded, and the employee substitutes experience and knowledge in place of adherence to a seemingly unneeded safety rule, that disasters strike. I do not suggest that any rule was broken or any employee error occurred, rather tragedy should remind us to be vigilant.
Employment Liability and Workers’ Compensation originally appeared on About.com Business Insurance on Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 18:35:44.