Workplace injuries are commonplace in various environments, but they differ in severity based on what type of job is being performed.
Manufacturing jobs create plenty of opportunities for injury because of their complex nature.
Factory workers are a significant part of the economy of Alabama and provide valuable services. It is estimated that 17.18% of Alabama’s total economic output is based on manufacturing, with a total population of 271,000 workers in 2019.
Factory accidents are bound to happen with that many workers, possibly resulting in medical bills and time lost from work.
Alabama Work Injuries in a Factory
Every individual injury case differs, but generally, some injuries cause more minor overall damage. However, with all the heavy equipment in factories, tragic injuries are possible.
Nonetheless, the most common work injuries sustained by factory workers are of a non-serious nature.
1. Repetitive Stress Injuries
Repetitive stress injuries are defined as a gradual breakdown of tendons, nerves, and muscles due to repeated stressful motions.
This type of injury is rarely serious right away, but it can quickly worsen if not addressed. OSHA found that 1.8 million American workers sustain repetitive stress injuries annually.
2. Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and falls are manufacturing accidents that can vary in their degree of seriousness. A worker may trip or lose their footing, or they may even fall from a great height.
Slip and falls are unique because they can happen to workers at any time. Head injuries are common as a result of slip and fall accidents.
Workers may also suffer broken bones, sprains, lacerations, or spinal injuries, depending on the circumstances of the fall.
3. Machine-Related Injuries
Factory workers commonly use machines and machine tools. Examples of these machine tools are lathes, drilling machines, grinding machines, and automatic gears.
Machine tools make factory workers’ jobs easier but they also have dangers associated with them. While machines operate safely most of the time, accidents can happen.
One slip up with a powerful machine can lead to very harmful injuries in a manufacturing accident. Workers can suffer cuts or burns, lose a limb or digit, or even be crushed.
4. Exposure to Harmful Chemicals
Manufacturing companies use a variety of chemicals in creating their products.
Some of these chemicals contain harmful properties that can hurt factory workers. Some substances cause injury when inhaled, and others can cause injuries when they touch exposed skin.
Some common injuries caused by chemicals are chemical burns, respiratory problems, and skin irritations.
5. Other Injuries
Beyond these, other factory injuries include:
- Burns,
- Lacerations,
- Fractures,
- Contusions,
- Vehicle accidents, and
- Overexertion.
Regardless of the type of injury you suffered or what caused it, if it was work-related, you can seek compensation for medical bills and lost wages.
Factory Workplace Injury Examples
The automotive industry creates many factory jobs in Alabama. An example of an injury at an auto plant could be a repetitive stress injury causing a muscle strain.
Workers perform repetitive movements on an automobile line that can cause gradual harm—no wonder a study found that sprains and strains were a common work injury in auto factories.
Alabama also has several large chemical manufacturing plants. Workers at these plants have excessive exposure to harmful chemicals, such as toxic fluorocarbons and other hazardous materials.
This chemical exposure makes it difficult to breathe and may cause long-term consequences for the lungs.
Employees working in warehouses constantly run the risk of slip and falls while sorting and moving merchandise. A warehouse slip and fall could be a worker climbing up a ladder, losing their balance, and falling to the ground.
Ladder slip and falls are common and dangerous. Approximately 500,000 people are treated in the U.S. every year for ladder injuries, resulting in $24 billion of harm.
Contact Fob James Law Firm Today
If you suffer an injury in your workplace, do not hesitate to reach out to the Fob James Law Firm, LLC.
Our attorneys have a policy of open communication that allows you to reach out to us day and night all year long.
We will work diligently on your behalf to help you get your just compensation for your injuries.
Fob James
Fob James obtained a B.S., in software engineering from Auburn University and then continued his education by getting his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law. After working for a large regional firm for several years where he obtained awards for both individual and corporate clients, Fob found that his passion was fighting for individuals who have been seriously injured or wronged by others. Fob believes that the jury is the great equalizer to the power and influence that large corporations have in society.