Skip to main content
Cochran Firm Blog, Philadelphia

Industrial Accidents

Industrial accidents occur frequently in the United States. Learn what causes workplace accidents and how to avoid them. If you are injured, you may be entitled to compensation from your employer.

What is considered an industrial accident? Industrial accidents are severe mishaps that result in people being injured or results in damage to the property or the environment. 

There are several types of injuries that can be caused by a variety of factors. Some jobs come with a certain risk and are naturally more dangerous. Added factors that could lead to industrial accidents include jobs that require lifting or cause fatigue or dehydration. In addition, poor lighting in the workplace can prevent workers from seeing well. 

Hazardous materials, trips and falls, and stress can also lead to industrial injuries. In each common workplace accident, it’s important to stay educated in order to prevent accidents and stay safe while on the job.  

Heavy Lifting

For many employees, they are required to lift heavy materials while on the job. Lifting alone can cause employees to sprain, strain, or tear muscles due to lifting an object that is too heavy for them to lift on their own. They may need to ask for help to lift workplace materials that are too heavy, but even still, the objects may cause stress with additional help. 

Fatigue

Fatigue is another way that accidents can happen in the workplace. People who work in extreme workplaces should make sure they are taking the breaks they are required to have. Some jobs don’t understand, but failing to take a break is a common reason and cause of workplace accidents. If you have been injured in a workplace accident due to negligence or lack of breaks, it’s important to seek legal representation from an experienced workplace accident attorney. They can help protect your rights, assess liability, and pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries. . 

You must take breaks if you want to recover from manual labor, it is a must to take adequate breaks. Workers can get over-exhausted by not taking those breaks they need. To avoid experience fatigue make sure you are getting enough sleep at night. Being well-rested will help avoid accidents that could happen due to being fatigued. 

Dehydration

Being dehydrated can also cause many accidents in the workplace. It is important for all workers that work in manual labor to stay hydrated. Not being well hydrated can bring workers to not feel their best selves. 

On hot summer days, especially, it is a must to be drinking water to prevent heat strokes or cardiac conditions. Drinking water will help avoid being and feeling over exhausted. Workers need to drink at least eight glasses of water per day. 

The upper management should not only encourage workers to drink plenty of water but also have water stations in the work area that are close by and that work properly and making sure you are drinking the water to avoid dehydration. 

Lighting

Not being able to see due to lighting is unacceptable due to Federal OSHA, or the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Despite regulations, there are some instances where lighting can be terrible. Inadequate lighting is to blame and is responsible for a number of accidents that happen in the U.S. each year. 

Poor lighting is often overlooked. When attempting to prevent accidents that happen each year in the workplace making sure workers are able to see what they’re doing should be the first priority of the company.  

Hazardous Materials

When caring for hazardous materials it is vital to handle them with proper care. Most causes of accidents in the workplace are improper handling of hazardous materials. 

Usually, these accidents come from not wearing proper protection when dealing with the materials. For your own protection, you should know exactly what you should do when handling or being around hazardous materials. 

All hazardous materials are different and no two are alike. Read your company’s safety materials book so you know what exactly to wear and how to handle each material. It can help avoid some of the many accidents that take place each year in the U.S. Most companies have been rewarded for preventing or reducing the amount of accidents that take place in their company. 

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Trip and falls are also another common cause of workplace accidents. Slick floors and high traffic in the workplace can cause trip and fall accidents. It’s vital to wear the correct footwear as people may not wear slip-resistant shoes and will contribute to these types of accidents. 

The injuries in trip and fall accident are far greater than they should be if people would wear proper gear and pay attention to their surroundings. Being safe and not slipping is very important as one fall can cause you to be out of work due to the injuries. 

Preventing Accidents

Lifting, fatigue, dehydration and hazardous materials in the workplace can be the reason for industrial accidents. Not all industrial accidents can be 100% avoided due to the fact that accidents happen and they all can’t be planned for. Just as seeking a truck accident lawyer is essential after a vehicular mishap, understanding and addressing these workplace issues is crucial to reduce potential hazards. 

Workers can limit industrial accidents by doing their part, which can look like doing the following:

  • Keeping workspaces clean
  • Posting proper signage or asking a boss to do so. 
  • Staying up to date on equipment maintenance. 
  • Reporting any dangers that may cause an accident. 

As a boss or part of upper management, you can ensure all employees are properly trained. When they have the correct training this will cut down on accidents happening in the workplace. It’s also important to have all of the correct equipment necessary to do your job. 

Additionally, you should avoid taking shortcuts. While it may make your job easier at the moment it may be the reason an accident takes place. While many of these accidents can take you out of commission for work, it can also lead to workman’s compensation related cases. Learn more about worker’s compensation cases here. 

Contact The Cochran Firm

If you have been injured on the job and need compensation, a personal injury attorney can help you. Our law firm is dedicated to personal injury cases, and we can help you recover damages like lost wages, medical bills, and other pain and suffering expenses.

At The Cochran Firm, we have a complimentary, no-obligation consultation to help better serve you. Our team of personal injury lawyers is here to help you. With the years of experience in personal injury law, let us help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a FREE no-obligation consultation at 1-800-THE-FIRM or chat with us now on our website to learn if you have a case and how we can help you.