Sprained ankle at work...what should I do?!
Question: Sprained ankle at work!.!.!.what should I do!?
Hello, I sprained my ankle at work a few days ago!. I work at a Subway Sandwiches store, and have been working there for almost six months!. What happened was this: I noticed the fridge was open and had been open for several minutes, so I ran about two steps to close it when my foot caught on water!. I slid on my right ankle for four feet and then fell on that ankle, resulting in a sprain!. No ambulance was called, and I didn't have to go to the doctor!. My father is a sports physician and took care of me for several days!. My ankle still hurts like hell but I can walk on it much better!.
I called one of my co-workers and asked if my boss had done anything about the water on the floor!.!.!.maybe allowing us to mop up the water!?
Our boss doesn't allow us to mop up or squee-gee the water from the floor after some employees weren't getting the water into the drain, resulting in mold!.
Anyway, it turns out that my boss did NOTHING about the water around the sink area!. He still refuses to allow us to mop/squeegee the water, will not put a mat down (like those at grocery stores) to soak up the water, and basically only said that the people washing dishes should be more careful not to get water on the floor!.
Should I talk to him!? Should I file a report!? What is the proper procedure when somebody gets hurt at work!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
FIRST, GO TO A DOCTOR, not your father!. You need a legitimate report of the incident through qualified medical channels!. A local "clinic" should do, but you might consider an emergency room!.
This IS a work related injury, and should be reported through Workers Comp AND your company's main offices!.
Your boss is required to give you information about this!. If he does not, you should first call you Store's Regional Manager (your boss's boss)!. If that fails, contact the Subways main offices (www!.subway!.com)!.
If alll of THAT fails, call the local office of OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administrtion)!. They can investigate the claim and possibly file a lawsuit in your behalf!. but they require you to have taken ALL possible measures through company channels, first!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
This IS a work related injury, and should be reported through Workers Comp AND your company's main offices!.
Your boss is required to give you information about this!. If he does not, you should first call you Store's Regional Manager (your boss's boss)!. If that fails, contact the Subways main offices (www!.subway!.com)!.
If alll of THAT fails, call the local office of OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administrtion)!. They can investigate the claim and possibly file a lawsuit in your behalf!. but they require you to have taken ALL possible measures through company channels, first!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
You need to find out who the regional manager is and discuss it with him but you might also need to contact your states labor board!. No matter what state you are in, the fdact that the water poses a safety and a health hazard, it is a violation of OSHA laws!. OSHA is the United States Department of Labor!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
The proper procedure is to notify your boss as soon as you are injured!. I don't know if you are a full time employee or if you are covered under workman's compensation!. Look for "Labor Laws" in your state!. Call your local health department about the standing water - that just can't be sanitary, not to mention safe!. You might also check out OSHA standards and see if Subway is required to meet their standards since it is such a large chain!.Www@Answer-Health@Com