It is not uncommon for employees to become injured while on the job. An injury or illness is considered work-related if an event or exposure in the work place caused or contributed to the resulting condition or aggravated a pre-existing condition. Workers in the manufacturing industry, especially factory workers, are more likely than many others to experience a work injury.
As of 2015, the State of Illinois had 568,500 manufacturing jobs. Many of these jobs are located in more urban areas, but some factories do still call the Chicago area home. Despite the number of manufacturing jobs in Illinois being smaller compared to near-by states, on-the-job injuries and illness rates in Illinois are statistically greater than the national rate according to the United States Department of Labor (USDOL).
Those who work in the manufacturing industry, specifically factory workers, have a higher likelihood of being injured on the job given the nature of their work. Those working in factories are often exposed to heavy and dangerous machinery or hazardous chemicals that employees in other private industries do not handle on a daily basis. The USDOL reports that nation-wide there are on average 350 fatal injuries in the manufacturing industry each year. In addition, 25% of the nation’s work place injuries in the private sector are attributed to goods-producing industries.
Given factory worker’s higher likelihood of encountering a work place injury it is important for both employees and employers to follow safety precautions to keep the work place free from injuries.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) is the agency responsible for creating nation-wide safety standards for the work place. It is the duty of the employer to ensure all employees are properly educated and trained on the safety standards applicable to the work place.
Employees should be taught how to properly wear the safety gear necessary for their job. For example, many factory jobs require the use of safety googles, gloves, and/or hearing protection.
If an employee operates or interacts with machines throughout the day, he or she must be trained to properly operate these machines to avoid any accidents. For example, not wearing loose clothing that can get caught in the machine. If employees handle chemicals they must receive proper training as to how to safely handle these materials as well.
Employees should also be trained in any specialized safety procedures relevant to their job. For example, what to do if a fire occurs in a factory that uses dangerous chemicals.
In addition, proper supervision of employees is essential to keeping the work place safe. Employers must be vigilant in ensuring that employees are always following the appropriate safety standards.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a factory accident it may be beneficial to discuss your options with an experienced personal injury attorney. Those injured on-the-job have the ability to file a worker’s compensation claim for their injuries regardless of who is at fault. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Chicago personal injury lawyers, call Abels & Annes, P.C. today at 312-924-7575 or contact us online.
Prior Blog Entry:
Uber Accidents Keep Happening in Chicago. What You Need to Know if One Happens to You. Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published June 17, 2017.
Resources:
Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries And Illnesses – 2015, Bureau of Labor Statistics, published October 27, 2016.
Manufacturing: NAICS 31-33, Bureau of Labor Statistics, published August 4, 2017.