Industrial settings are fraught with potential dangers, from heavy machinery to hazardous materials. Unfortunately, serious accidents are a regular occurrence in industrial workplaces due to these inherent risks. Below, we’ll examine some common types of industrial accidents and the injuries that typically occur as a result.
Forklift Accidents
Forklift accidents often happen in industrial settings when operators lose control due to excessive speed, inadequate training, or improper loading techniques. These accidents can also occur when workers operate forklifts near platform edges or on uneven surfaces, which introduces a greater risk of tipping over. In addition to crashes with infrastructure like shelves or other equipment, forklift accidents can involve collisions with coworkers, particularly in congested work areas. Injuries from forklift accidents can include broken bones from blunt-force impacts, head injuries from falls or flying debris, and sometimes severe crush injuries if workers get trapped under heavy, overturned vehicles.
Falls from Heights
Falls from heights are a frequent occurrence on construction sites and in other industrial areas where work on scaffolding, ladders, or other elevated platforms is common. A lack of appropriate guardrails or safety nets significantly increases the risk of such falls. Workers can suffer from a range of injuries from these incidents depending on the height and nature of the fall. These injuries can include fractured limbs and severe spinal injuries that lead to temporary or permanent paralysis. Traumatic brain injuries, which can result from the head striking the ground or another hard surface, are also common consequences of falls from heights.
Machine Entanglement Accidents
Machine entanglement poses a severe hazard in industrial environments with heavy machinery. Workers operating or even simply cleaning machinery without adequate protective equipment or safety cut-offs can get clothing, hair, or body parts like fingers and hands caught in moving machine parts. This can lead to catastrophic injuries, including deep lacerations that pose the risk of severe infections and traumatic amputations of fingers, hands, or entire limbs. Recovery from such injuries often involves long-term rehabilitation and can result in permanent disability.
Toxic Exposure
Exposure to harmful substances is prevalent in industries that involve the use or production of certain chemicals. Toxic exposure incidents can occur due to spills, leaks, inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), or improper handling. Workers exposed to harmful substances often experience chemical burns, which can cause severe skin or eye damage or respiratory injuries resulting from inhalation of toxic fumes. Long-term exposure to toxic materials can even lead to chronic conditions, including lung damage or organ failure, which highlights the acute dangers these substances pose in industrial settings.
Electrical Accidents
Electrical accidents often involve contact with live wires, malfunctioning electrical equipment, or unexpected power surges. Such incidents are highly hazardous and often lead to immediate injuries such as electrical burns, which can affect the skin’s surface or deeper tissues. Additionally, the shock from electrical exposure can disrupt heart rhythms, potentially causing cardiac arrest. Other possible electrical accident injuries include muscle spasms strong enough to cause bone fractures or dislocations.
Fires and Explosions
Fires and explosions can break out when flammable materials are improperly stored, or equipment malfunctions create sparks in the presence of volatile substances. The rapid spread of flames and the concussive force of explosions can result in multiple types of injuries. Burns are the most common, ranging from minor surface burns to life-threatening third-degree burns that damage deep tissue and require extensive medical treatment. Inhalation injuries are also a possibility, as smoke and toxic fumes can damage the respiratory tract and lungs, sometimes resulting in long-term health issues.
Contact Our Walnut Creek Industrial Accident Injury Lawyer Now
Did you or someone you love suffer injuries in an industrial accident? You might be entitled to compensation through workers’ comp or a personal injury claim. The team at Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook has the experience to handle your case effectively and demand the recovery you deserve. Contact us today for a free initial consultation to discuss how we can help you move forward after an industrial accident.