There are a lot of manufacturing workers in Pennsylvania, and that means a lot of people may be at risk for an injury in a manufacturing plant. While there is no way to completely protect yourself from injury, there are steps you can take that may help lower the risk.
If you suffer an injury at work, do not hesitate to contact Schmidt Kramer’s experienced Harrisburg workers’ compensation attorneys to assess your claim and discuss your legal options.
Risk Factors for Injuries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ data, certain manufacturing jobs have higher rates of injuries than other jobs. Wood product manufacturing, food manufacturing and nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing are the top three industries for non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses.
Some of the most common manufacturing accidents/causes of injuries include:
- Overexertion
- Falls
- Being struck by an object or equipment
- Roadway accidents
- Repetitive motions
- Being caught in or compressed by equipment or an object
- Slips or trips
Reducing the Risk of Repetitive Motion Injuries
Factory workers are particularly prone to repetitive motion injuries because there can be a lot of repetitive motions in these jobs. Employers can help reduce the number of these injuries by doing the following:
- Developing a workplace safety program to help reduce musculoskeletal disorders
- Implementing an injury-prevention program that reduces awkward or static postures for long periods of time, lifting heavy objects, using poorly-designed tools, performing repetitive motions and poor work organization
- Providing proper safety training
- Providing employees with breaks to stand and stretch
Employers can also consider varying work tasks to minimize repetitive motions.
Keeping Workspace Clean
When workspaces are clean, accidents are less likely to occur. Cluttered work environments can result in loose materials or equipment that acts as a trip hazard or that falls on workers while they are performing their jobs.
Employers should implement procedures to ensure workers clean up their work environments, such as having a checklist that they complete each day about the cleanliness of the work area, requiring workers to immediately clean up spills and prohibiting cables, equipment or material in areas where workers must walk.
Reporting Accidents
If you suffer an injury on the job, you should immediately report it to your supervisor. This can help preserve your potential workers’ compensation claim for medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. Additionally, reporting the accident can make the employer aware of an issue so that it can be remedied before another worker is injured in the same way.
Use Appropriate Protective Equipment
One way to help prevent injuries in factories is to use appropriate protective equipment. This equipment is specifically designed to protect workers on the job. This type of equipment may include:
- Gloves
- Footwear
- Protective eyeglasses
- Helmets and head protection
- Clothing
Employers must determine the appropriate protective equipment that is required for the job and make this equipment available to their workers. Workers should also be fitted for the equipment to ensure that it can provide the protection it was designed to provide. Employees should also be trained on the proper use of the equipment. Employers must also properly maintain this equipment.
Call an Experienced Attorney for Help with Your Claim
Even when factory workers take precautions, they may still suffer a workplace accident. When this happens, workers need an experienced advocate to talk to.
If you were injured in an accident, the workers’ compensation attorneys at Schmidt Kramer can help. If you have valid claim, we can assist you with filing for workers’ compensation benefits. We can also help with any appeals.
We charge you no fee unless we help you recover compensation for your claim. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Call our firm at (717) 888-8888.