What Type of Accidents Are Most Common in Industrial Workplaces?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, private industry employers in New York reported over 129,000 workplace injuries in 2020, which translates to an incident rate of 2.2 injury cases for every 100 full-time workers in the state. Industrial work is considered one of the most hazardous jobs in New York.
If you or someone you love has been injured by one or more dangerous elements present in an industrial workplace, you should immediately speak to a dependable and experienced workers’ compensation attorney or worksite accident attorney in New York in order to protect your right to maximum financial compensation.
Here are some of the most commonly occurring industrial and factory-related accidents in New York:
Forklift and Lift Truck Accidents
Individuals operating a forklift or lift truck are required to have specialized training. They should also be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Forklifts and lift trucks should be regularly inspected and the trucks should be well maintained.
The factory should ensure that pedestrian and vehicular routes are separate. There should be protective barriers placed wherever necessary. Injuries caused by forklifts and lift trucks range in severity from minor fractures to severe crush injuries and fatalities.
Causes of forklift and lift truck accidents in New York may include defective or badly maintained machinery, operator negligence, lack of training, lack of protective gear, or improper safety systems and safety protocols put in place by the employer.
Lifting Heavy Objects
Factory workers in New York are often required to manually lift components or finished products in manufacturing factories. Routine lifting of heavy objects can cause musculoskeletal injuries. Workers should be provided with the necessary equipment and tools so that they can minimize lifting heavy objects wherever possible. They should be trained to use the tools to lift safely. Manual handling injuries include back injuries, foot injuries, arm injuries, and neck and shoulder injuries.
Another related risk is falling objects, getting hit by a moving object, or tripping over an object on the workshop floor. These accidents at an industrial workplace can result in severe injuries or death of a worker if the employer or any responsible third parties have failed to meet the prevailing industry standards of care.
Dangerous Machinery
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that 2.8 million non-fatal injuries and illnesses occur in industrial workplaces across the country each year. There are several different types of machines used in a factory that can easily cause injuries. The machine operator should be thoroughly trained in correct and safe usage. Moreover, the machine should be well maintained at all times.
Unguarded machinery and untrained operators contribute to almost 60% of accidents involving heavy machinery. Faulty machinery components or any electrical or mechanical malfunction may also lead to severe injuries or death of the victim. Head injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, broken bones, burns, and lacerations, are a few major injuries sustained in such accidents.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are common in the construction industry, food processing industry, textile manufacturing, auto components, woodworking and metals industries, among others. The factory should have a system in place to take care of regular cleaning of any spillages, such as oils, lubricants, chemicals, or other liquids.
Slipping and tripping hazards should be removed using the right methods and equipment. Proper warning signs should be in place. Moreover, workers should be trained to avoid slip and fall hazards at the workplace. Where it is necessary, appropriate non-slip boots and footwear should be provided to the workers.
Industrial Diseases
Industrial disease can be a major risk depending on the manufacturing process at the factory. Chemicals, acids, fumes, dust, and other dangerous substances present in a factory can play a key role in contributing to industrial diseases. Here are a few common industrial diseases:
- Asbestos-related illness
- Various types of cancers
- Asthma and other respiratory illnesses
- Tuberculosis
- Occupational dermatitis
- Industrial deafness
- Latex allergies
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome
Why are New York Factory Injuries So Common?
Accidents occur in industrial set-ups because of an unsafe workplace environment, excessive worker fatigue, extended shifts, and multiple moving parts at the workshop without proper safety systems. Tired workers often have cognitive limitations and are at a higher risk of making mistakes.
The increase in industrial accidents is also owing to not having basic safety measures, training, equipment, and protective gear, and maintenance in place, besides the common phenomenon of “organized chaos” in large industrial facilities and warehouses.
You are in the Hands of a Fighter: Get Legal Representation from a Formidable Workers Compensation Lawyer
Injured factory workers may not only suffer prolonged pain and suffering but may also find it difficult to return to work quickly following an industrial accident. The dedicated and tenacious worker’s compensation attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff will leave no stone unturned to help you achieve your rightful payment of your maximum workers’ comp benefits or personal injury damages (if a third-party liability is involved).
It takes a committed and compassionate workers’ comp attorney to understand the problems you are likely facing in not being able to pay for your medical and daily expenses. If you or someone you care about has suffered serious injuries in the workplace and are struggling to recover the compensation they are entitled to, you need attorney Michael S. Lamonsoff “The Bull” on your side.
Michael Lamonsoff is nicknamed “The Bull” because of his tireless and unyielding pursuit of compensation for his clients and a formidable track record of settlements and verdicts. To set up your complimentary consultation, call us at 212-962-1020 or contact us online.