A recent workplace accident at a plastics manufacturing facility claimed the life of one man and injured two others with chemical burns. The accident occurred on a production line that produces a polymer, and the polymer spilled onto three workers who were performing maintenance on a pump. The accident is described by the facility owners as a rare tragedy, but it does serve as a reminder that plastics manufacturing workplaces, as is the case with all manufacturing workplaces, do contain dangers that can hurt or kill employees.
Plastics manufacturing workers encounter a higher than average level of danger in their work environments as compared to other manufacturing employees who work in facilities that produce things other than plastics. The work in a plastics manufacturing plant involves heavy lifting, heavy machinery, sharp tools, and hazardous chemicals. Workers can get caught in machinery and partially or wholly crushed; they can suffer amputated digits or limbs. Repetitive motions in the manufacturing process can cause employees to develop repetitive motion injuries like strains and carpal tunnel syndrome. Chemical burns and lacerations are also relatively common injuries in plastics manufacturing environments. Plastics molds are heavy, and moving them about the plant takes lots of effort and equipment. Accidents sometimes occur when molds and machinery are being moved, or when machines and molds are old or poorly maintained.
Plastics manufacturing facilities contain plenty of dangers that are common in other workplaces as well. Equipment, cords, and other items on the manufacturing floor can create tripping hazards, and oil, grease, and plastic pellets can make floors slick or treacherous and create slip hazards. The chemicals that are used to make plastics and the chemicals that are used to clean and maintain the equipment are hazardous, and can burn employees, cause respiratory injuries, and even kill employees if they are close enough to them or come into contact with them in large enough quantities.
Barrett Law PLLC: Helping Manufacturing Accident Victims Across Mississippi
Sometimes, workers in manufacturing facilities get hurt at work. A workplace injury or fatality at a plastics manufacturing plant can drastically alter the course of the life of a worker or their family. As you work to recover from your injury so that you can return to your job or a family mourns the loss of a loved one, life does not stand still. There are household bills and medical bills to pay, and the worker’s compensation claims process can seem daunting and complicated. Fortunately, workplace accident attorneys are skilled at guiding injured workers or families who have lost a loved one in a workplace accident through the worker’s compensation claims process. You do not need to try to pursue a worker’s compensation claim on your own. The Mississippi Workplace Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are here to help you navigate the worker’s compensation claims process while you concentrate on recovering from your injury or your loss. Please call us today, at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule a consultation.