Factory work plays a crucial role in the economy; however, it’s an environment with inherent risks. While safety protocols and guidelines are in place, the factory floor can still be hazardous for workers.
Many tend to underestimate the skill and caution required to navigate a factory floor safely. Ultimately, it’s up to the employer to ensure the factory workers have what they need to remain safe. This includes providing tools, equipment, and safety protocols to do the job without any injury-causing incidents.
Slips, trips and falls
The factory floor is filled with machines, people, and objects that can quickly become hazards. A slight misstep can lead to disastrous consequences. Trips can cause workers to fall into machinery, knock over heavy objects, or collide with moving equipment. Any fall can result in various injuries, from minor sprains to severe fractures and head traumas. Injuries affect the not only the injured worker’s health, they can impact the productivity of the entire factory.
Moving equipment
Moving equipment like forklifts and automated robots can pose a significant risk. These devices move around the factory floor, often carrying heavy loads. A collision can result in severe injuries or even fatalities. These types of equipment require specialized training to operate safely. Anyone without proper training must not be allowed to use that equipment.
Heavy lifting
Factories often require workers to lift and move heavy objects. Sometimes this involves machinery, but other items may require manual lifting. Acute injuries like strains, sprains, and herniated discs can occur when workers have to lift heavy or bulky items. Continuous heavy lifting without proper technique sometimes leads to chronic issues like back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, and long-term disability.
For injured workers, obtaining benefits from workers’ compensation can help them get the medical care they need. Other benefits might also be provided, such as wage loss and benefits for scarring and disfigurement. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a certified specialist workers’ comp attorney, and learn how to reap the full benefits of a workers’ compensation claim in Pennsylvania.