Defining ‘Unsafe Acts’

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Unsafe acts are the leading cause of on-the-job injuries, posing significant risks to workplace safety. In this context, an unsafe act refers to a situation where an individual possesses both the knowledge and control to address an existing unsafe condition or action. However, instead of taking corrective measures, the individual opts to perform the risky action or neglects the hazardous condition.

This intentional disregard for safety protocols can lead to accidents, injuries, and even fatalities in the workplace. It underscores the importance of fostering a safety-conscious culture, promoting awareness, and encouraging responsible behavior among employees to mitigate the occurrence of unsafe acts and enhance overall workplace safety.

Employers play a crucial role in providing training, implementing safety measures, and fostering a culture that prioritizes the well-being of workers, aiming to prevent accidents resulting from unsafe acts.

Workers generally perform unsafe acts in an effort to save time and/or effort. These acts can be in the form of taking a shortcut, failing to wear required protective gear, operating equipment without all safety measures in place and other similar acts. Workers that deviate from the required or accepted safe practice create a hazard to themself, co-workers and equipment.

Under North Carolina workers’ compensation law, a worker is still entitled to workers’ compensation benefits even if their injury is the result of their own unsafe action. This is because North Carolina uses a no-fault system.  Additionally, workers injured by the negligence of another employee’s unsafe act may be entitled to workers’ compensation against the at-fault parties.

Whether your injury on the job was the result of an unsafe act or not, it is important that you contact an attorney to discuss your case as soon as possible after the workplace accident takes place.