Manufacturing jobs are often among the best-paying professions in Ohio. Many blue-collar workers start or end their careers in a manufacturing setting. Ohio turns out a broad range of products and components used by other domestic manufacturers.
Modern factories can produce a variety of products relatively efficiently. However, the ability to do so safely depends in no small part on the company’s compliance with safety regulations. The training and safety equipment provided to workers are also important considerations.
Common manufacturing safety violations have a direct association with the increased risk of an on-the-job injury for a manufacturing professional. The three common safety issues explained below could very well lead to worker injuries that make a workers’ compensation claim necessary.
1. Falls and ladder issues
When reviewing a list of the most common violations reported by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are in the top position, while ladder-related violations are in the fourth position. Since both of these situations involve the need to access an elevation safely, they are grouped together for the purposes of this list. Workers performing job tasks on ladders at an elevation are at increased risk of injury. This is especially true if their employers don’t follow appropriate safety practices and provide them with the training and gear they need to work safely at a significant elevation.
2. Hazard communication violations
There are numerous ways in which employers may communicate with workers about known hazards. Equipment may need to produce a certain noise when malfunctioning or moving backward. Those in managerial or team lead positions may need to notify individual workers about hazards in the workplace. Hazards ranging from chemical exposure to recent issues with specific pieces of machinery may go uncommunicated, increasing the risk of preventable worker injuries.
3. Inadequate respiratory protection
Some manufacturing employees have to handle dangerous chemicals and abrasive agents. Manufacturing responsibilities ranging from painting and drilling to extruding can expose workers to known respiratory hazards. They may then require medical care or time away from work to recuperate. Issues with respiratory protection can cause temporary medical challenges and also long-term health issues, such as lung cancer or mesothelioma.
When employees get hurt due to safety issues, they may have the right to seek workers’ compensation benefits. Even if they cannot prove that a safety violation occurred, they might be eligible for medical coverage and disability benefits. Reviewing what led to an on-the-job incident with a skilled legal team can help workers understand and make use of their workplace safety protections.