Health Hazards Occurring in the Workplace

Employers owe a duty to employees to keep them safe from all harm occurring in the workplace. This means, if unsafe working conditions are present, you have a right to report them to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or even refuse to work if you are put in a bad and unsafe situation. When employees and employers known and understand how certain injuries or fatalities occurred in the workplace, they have a better chance of preventing these accidents overall. This is why it is so important to identify some of the most common accidents.

Common Workplace Hazards

Have you ever experienced a workplace injury and wondered how to compensate for these injuries? Here are some of the most common hazards that employees suffer every single year:

Chemicals: If you are an employee who has been exposed to chemicals, you may have a claim against your employer. Certain substances can compromise your health, such as fumes gases, liquids, solids, corrosives, and more. These substances can be found in any type of business from manufacturing to retail. One of the most common you may find is asbestos.

Repetitive Use: As an employee, you may repeat certain actions throughout the day. This makes you susceptible to repetitive use injuries. The many body parts that may be affected by these injuries are backs, shoulders, wrists, and hands.

Electrical Hazards: If you work directly with electricity, there is always that chance that you may sustain an injury. Many employers fail to see the ways to prevent these injuries, like keeping liquids clear of electrical equipment and conducting regular safety examinations.

Accidental Falls/Falling Objects: Working at elevated heights can pose the risk of an accidental fall. And you must remember, if objects are being stores at or above head level, there is always the chance of a falling object injury. This is why proper safety gear is needed such as harnesses, hard hats, and more. Employees should also be instructed on the safe use of equipment at all times.

Protecting Workers 

OSHA plays an important role in worker safety in ways that many employees may not understand. For instance, many employees may feel misinformed about what they should do when a safety hazard poses an imminent danger to their health. Reporting to OSHA can help prevent many workers from being injured or exposed to dangers. A worker has the right to refuse work is there is a reasonable belief that a condition in the workplace poses a threat and the employer is not taking initiative to fix the condition.

The same goes for dangers that do not pose an imminent threat. If you believe that a workplace condition could become dangerous in time, you should still alert an employer to this. However, if they fail to take initiative after they have been warned and the condition does not improve, you have that right to come forth to OSHA. OSHA is always there for your needs and should be used as a resource for all dangers.

If you have been injured or fallen ill due to a workplace condition and you believe your employer is at fault, you have options. Do not give up on your case and come to us if you are seeking compensation for your injuries. At Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, we have experience in these cases and will help you with your claim.