In their daily lives, the average individual comes into contact 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 industries, increasing the possibility that they could suffer serious health issues as a result of their jobs.
They might be eligible to apply for workers’ compensation in these circumstances if they were exposed to toxic chemicals at work. Read on to learn more and then contact PLBH at (800) 435-7542 to request a legal consultation with an employment law attorney.
Some jobs are dangerous no matter what you do
No matter how many measures you take, such dressing in special protective gear or donning a mask, in some professions it is practically impossible to prevent being exposed to harmful substances. This may include work in the mining industry, professions where diesel fumes are frequently inhaled, positions in the building industry, any occupation involving welding or painting, and jobs in the aerospace sector. Jobs on farms where pesticides are sprayed onto crops are also at risk.
Additionally, employment 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 inhaled. Employees at manufacturing facilities run a high risk of being exposed to these substances and developing a job-related ailment as a result.
What happens if your employer does not take proper steps to protect you?
Workers anticipate that their employers will provide them with clear warning labels, signs, and other information to advise them of the dangers of dangerous chemicals. This could 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 might be safe in tiny amounts, like cleaning solutions, but turn harmful over time if a worker is exposed to them frequently?
OSHA provides safety guidelines
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 toxic compounds, but it also permits a certain amount of acceptable exposure to some airborne pollutants.
Employees must be evacuated from the workplace if the chemical concentration in the air exceeds a predetermined level, or the corporation must take action to make the air safe to breathe once more. Many serious injuries, such as breathing problems, memory loss, internal body problems, and severe skin burns, can be brought on by exposure to toxic substances. As a result of extended exposure to the chemical, these injuries may develop slowly over time or develop right away.
Your rights if you’ve been exposed to toxic chemicals
You might be entitled 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 toxic chemicals and other substances. Set up a free initial consultation with our office by contacting us at (800) 435-7542 or info@plblaw.com right away to find out how we can help.