The top 5 common injuries caused by industrial accidents are:
- Electricity exposure/electrocution
- Radiation and noise injuries
- Burns and irritation from extreme temperatures
- Pressure or crush damage from high speeds of air or water
- Oxygen deficiencies
Other Injuries
Unfortunately, industrial jobs are some of the most hazardous, and industrial accidents can cause life changing injuries. Infrastructure failures, dangerous procedures, and human mistakes or negligence have the potential to create hazards in industrial settings, potentially leading to personal injury and wrongful death claims.
Lung and Organ Failure
Lung and Organ FailureThe leading cause of work-related injuries and illnesses requiring time away from work in the most recently reported year, according to recent data was exposure to hazardous substances or environments. Hazardous exposure can cause more serious injuries than a person might initially realize. There could be long-lasting lung and organ failure due to hazardous substance exposure.
Repetitive Motion Injuries and Non-impact Injuries
Next, repetitive motion injuries and non-impact injuries are also common in industrial environments. These types of injuries are seen through stress, strains, back and leg injuries, and wrist and shoulder injuries. These injuries get worse and worse over time and, in most instances, will require surgery.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Overexertion and bodily reaction, as well as slips, trips, and falls, are the next two most common causes of injury and illness resulting in days away from work. These causes of workplace accidents account for more than 75 percent of all nonfatal injuries and illnesses that result in missed workdays.
Causes of Industrial Injuries
Industrial accidents are frequently preventable, but the proper safety protocols must be drafted, taught, supervised, and used to keep workers safe on the job. Industrial accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from improper lighting to the improper handling of materials. Industrial accidents can be caused by environmental factors, as well as mechanical factors.
Environmental Factors
Industrial accidents can be caused by environmental factors, as well as mechanical factors.
- Improper temperatures
- Inadequate lighting
- Pollution from chemicals
- Sound irritation
Mechanical Factors
Common causes of industrial accidents refer to machine and equipment failures and include:
- Broken machines
- Damaged machines
- Excessive wear and tear
- Explosions
- Power failures
Other Factors that Cause Industrial Accidents
Outside of environmental and mechanical causes, human error and negligence can also cause industrial accidents in the workplace. Common examples of individual workplace negligence include failure to inspect and maintain heavy machinery, fatigue, inadequate training, and operating heavy machinery like a forklift under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Filing An Industrial Accident Lawsuit
Most industrial accidents are the result of negligence, which means they are largely avoidable. The risk of serious injury and death in an industrial accident is dramatically reduced by maintaining a safe work environment, ensuring adequate training and supervision, and with proper equipment maintenance.
If you or someone you care about was injured on the job, you should speak with an experienced Pittsburgh work injury lawyers about your situation. When an injury occurs at work, there are often multiple potentially at fault parties. For example, many times the equipment at sites and used by companies is owned by a third party, which means that entity may be responsible for an accident if the machines have a defect or other problem that causes an injury. Your lawyer can file a lawsuit against the individuals and/or entities responsible for your industrial accident injuries.
Filing a lawsuit requires the plaintiff to show why the defendant is responsible for their injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney can help file a lawsuit against the responsible party or parties. Contact us today for a free consultation.