From pesticides to food flavorings, toxic chemicals can cause many health problems for workers.
The average person comes into contact with untold numbers of toxic chemicals in their daily lives, from the cleaning products that we use to the pesticides on the food that we eat to contaminants in our water systems. But for workers in certain industries, the potential for exposure to toxic chemicals is even higher, making it even more likely that they may experience significant health problems as a result of their occupations. In these situations, they may be able to file for workers’ compensation based on their exposure to toxic chemicals at work.
In some industries, it is nearly impossible to avoid being exposed to toxic chemicals, no matter how many precautions you take, such as suiting up in special protective gear or wearing a mask. This may include jobs on farms, where pesticides are sprayed onto crops, mining work, jobs where diesel fumes are regularly inhaled, construction industry jobs, any occupation involving welding or painting, and work in the aerospace industry. In addition, some food industry jobs may actually expose workers to toxic chemicals. For example, the flavoring that is is on a popular snack food, microwave popcorn, can be dangerous when inhaled. Employees who work at plants that manufacture these products are at a significant risk of exposure to these chemicals, and potential job-related illness as a result.
Workers expect that their employers will educate them of the risks of toxic chemicals, with clear warning labels, signs and other information. This may happen with known toxic substances like caustic chemicals, acids and radioactive materials. But what about substances that employers may not believe are toxic, like popcorn flavoring? Or materials that may seem fine in small doses, like cleaning solutions, but that become damaging when a worker is repeatedly exposed to it over time?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created to protect workers from workplace injuries, including from exposure to toxic chemicals. OSHA requires employers to educate and warn employees of the risks of known toxic substances, but it does allow a level of permissible exposure to certain airborne chemicals. If the level of the chemical in the air exceeds a set level, then employees must either be removed from the work environment or the company must take steps to make the air safe for employees to breathe again.
Exposure to toxic chemicals can result in many serious injuries, including breathing difficulties, memory loss, internal body issues and severe burns to the skin. These injuries may occur immediately after exposure, or may happen over time, as a result of prolonged exposure to the chemical.
If you have suffered an injury or illness due to exposure to a toxic chemical while at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. At PLBH, our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys are skilled at helping injured employees get the money and benefits that they deserve for their injuries — including for exposure to toxic chemicals and other substances. Contact our office today at (800) 435-7542 or info@plblaw.com to schedule a free initial consultation, and learn more about how we can help you.