In their everyday lives, the ordinary individual comes into touch with countless harmful substances, from the cleaning supplies we use to the pesticides on the food we eat to the toxins in our water systems. However, the risk of exposure to harmful substances is considerably higher for employees in several sectors, increasing the possibility that they could suffer serious health issues as a result of their jobs.
They could be eligible to apply for workers’ compensation in these circumstances if they were exposed to harmful substances at work. If you believe you fall into this category, contact PLBH at (800) 435-7542 for a free legal consultation.
You cannot prevent all toxic exposure
No matter how many measures you take, such as dressing in specific protective gear or donning a mask, in some professions it is almost impossible to prevent being exposed to harmful substances. This may include employment in the mining industry, professions where diesel fumes are frequently breathed, positions in the building industry, any activity requiring welding or painting, and jobs in the aerospace sector.
Jobs on farms where pesticides are sprayed onto crops are also at risk. Additionally, several employment options in the food business may expose employees to dangerous toxins. For instance, the seasoning on microwave popcorn, a common snack meal, might be harmful if breathed. Employees in manufacturing facilities have a high risk of being exposed to these substances and developing a job-related ailment as a result.
It is not always clear where the danger is coming from
Workers anticipate that their employers will provide them with clear warning labels, signs, and other information to advise them of the dangers of dangerous substances. This might occur with recognized carcinogens such radioactive elements, acids, and caustic chemicals. What about things like popcorn flavoring that employers might not consider to be toxic? Or substances that could be safe in tiny amounts, like cleaning solutions, but turn harmful over time if a worker is exposed to them frequently?
You have legal protections at work
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was established to safeguard employees from harm at work, including harmful chemical exposure. OSHA mandates that employers inform and forewarn workers about the dangers of known hazardous compounds, but it also permits a limited amount of acceptable exposure to some airborne pollutants.
Employees must be evacuated from the workplace if the chemical concentration in the air reaches a certain threshold, or the corporation must take action to make the air safe to breathe once again.
Toxic exposure can lead to many different ailments and conditions
Many significant ailments, such as breathing problems, memory loss, internal body problems, and severe skin burns, can be brought on by exposure to harmful substances. As a result of extended exposure to the chemical, these injuries may develop slowly over time or develop right away.
Contact an attorney for help
You could be eligible to workers’ compensation if you got sick or got hurt because you were exposed to a harmful substance at work. Our knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorneys at PLBH are experts at assisting injured workers in obtaining the compensation and benefits they are entitled to for their injuries, including those resulting from exposure to hazardous chemicals and other substances. Set up a free first consultation with our office by contacting us at PLBH at (800) 435-7542 right away to find out how we can assist.