Factory workers in Arkansas have some of the most dangerous jobs regarding work injuries. From frequent slip and falls to the possibility of even being electrocuted at a work site, factory workers must always be on their guard. However, not every injury at a factory site is going to be foreseeable. If you have suffered an injury while working in a factory, you should consult with an experienced attorney. The Fayetteville workplace injury attorney Ken Kieklak is here to describe common injuries to factory workers and what to do if you have been injured at a factory.
9 Common Types of Injuries Factory Workers Sustain
There are a variety of injuries that can occur while working at a factory. The following list depicts some of these injuries and their typical causes:
Burn Injuries – The American Burn Association has recorded that nearly 500,000 workers in the United States sustain burn injuries that entail medical treatment every year. Burns at a factory can often be attributed to direct exposure to heat or the use of chemicals.
Hearing Loss – Some factories can contain machinery which produces chronic loud noises throughout the workday. Excessive exposure to chronic loud noises can cause a loss of hearing over time.
Repetitive Motion Injuries – Repeatedly executing the same actions throughout a workday can cause muscles and joints in the body to wear down. These actions can cause severe damage to tissues and leave a factory worker with life-long pain.
Musculoskeletal Disorders – Bending, lifting, crawling, and various other physical actions can cause an excessive amount of strain and lead to back injuries, or other forms of injury.
Caught In/Between – Caught in/between injuries typically occur when a factory worker becomes pinned by a piece of heavy machinery or factory vehicles, like a forklift. This machinery may further injure the factory worker by pulling them into the machine.
Overexertion – One of the most common injuries that a majority of factory workers sustain is overexertion. Factory workers often pull long shifts and may end up neglecting their health in the process. Overexertion can then lead to being distracted at work and increase the risk of injuring oneself or another worker.
Chemical Exposure – As mentioned above, chemical exposure can cause burns, they can also be the cause of other injuries. Several different chemicals may used to manufacture items in a factory and to maintain heavy machinery. Depending on the kind of chemicals used, excessive or brief exposure can cause eye or lung damage.
Slip and Falls – Hitting the floor in many factories can cause serious injuries due to most factory floors being constructed of hard concrete or tiles. Many different things can cause a slip and fall at a factory site, like cords lying around, wet floors, unstable stairways, and many other things.
Transportation Accidents – Driving heavy machinery vehicles is a common facet of working in a factory. Improper handling of trucks, vans, forklifts, and other vehicles offer serious risks for injuring yourself or other factory workers.
How to Protect Factory Workers from Injuries
Organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are dedicated to making factories safer for workers. OSHA has imposed regulations on factory employers, requiring them to provide safeguards to protect their employees. These safeguards include requiring things like hard hats, eye shields, breathing masks, heavy-duty gloves, or ear protectors to deal with the hazards that factory workers face.
There are other measures that factory employers can employ that would help keep their employees safe, such as:
- Requiring specialized training for employees working with heavy machinery, operating vehicles, using dangerous power tools, or working with hazardous chemicals;
- Providing safety measures like eyewash stations and fire extinguishers for when an accident does occur;
- Encouraging employees to take regular breaks to keep themselves fresh and reduce the risk of injuries from exhaustion;
Employers are not the only ones who should be concerned about the safety of factory workers. The factory workers themselves should always keep themselves mindful of what kind of work they are doing and where they are doing it. Being diligent while working in a factory plays a major role in reducing the frequency of injuries.
If you are a factory worker and you have been injured while working, you should consider speaking with a personal injury attorney.
Fayetteville, AR Personal Injury Lawyer Offering Free Consultations
Fayetteville AR personal injury lawyer Ken Kieklak has nearly 20 years of experience in the practice of law. Ken Kieklak has served clients in Northwest Arkansas for years and can help you with your personal injury case. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for our clients and will work tirelessly to get you the injury compensation that you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law today at (479) 316-0438.