Warehouse Factory Accidents
Workplace accidents can happen anytime and anywhere, but certain industries are more inherently dangerous than others. That is particularly true if employees are not properly trained on the safety protocols. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, warehouse work is one of the most dangerous occupations as workers are exposed to a wide range of potential hazards on a daily basis.
Accident Outcomes
Operating heavy machinery, exposure to hazardous substances, and the risk of falling are among the common risks that warehouse workers face every day. In addition to the impact warehouse accidents can have on the injured employee, they can also cost businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses.
According to the National Safety Council, the average cost of a single worker injury is approximately $38,000 in direct costs and $150,000 in indirect costs. That is a total of $188,000 in expenses that a business is responsible for paying for one injured employee. Fortunately, many warehouse accidents can be avoided if workers can identify the hazards and take the right steps of prevent injuries from happening.
Top 10 Causes of Warehouse Accidents
- Forklifts: These are responsible for approximately 100 deaths, and an additional 95,000 injuries each year. Workers can get crushed by a forklift, stuck between the forklift and another surface, or struck by a forklift if the person operating it does not see the other worker.
- Hazardous Materials: Workers can become seriously injured or burned if hazardous material is not properly labelled or contained.
- Electrocution: Improper wiring, or electrical systems that do not meet OSHA standards can result in electrocution accidents.
- Slip and Falls: When flooring is uneven or wet, or there are unsafe holes or openings, workers are at risk of slipping or falling. These types of accidents account for 15 percent of accidental deaths in the workplace.
- Exits: If emergency exits are blocked, or the signs or not clearly visible, it can cause serious accidents, particularly if there is a fire or a chemical hazard.
- Misuse of Equipment: If warehouse equipment is not used properly, serious accidents, like amputations and crushed limbs, can occur.
- Improper Ventilation: Workers can become seriously injured or develop a range of respiratory illnesses if the warehouse is not properly ventilated.
- Lockout-Tagout: Accidents from improper lockout-tagout protocols can result in serious injuries or fatalities.
- Fires: Hundreds of thousands of workers are killed each year in workplace fires and explosions. Portable fire extinguishers should be on site at every warehouse in case of a fire.
- Lack of Safety Training: Employers have a responsibility to properly train all employees on the latest safety programs in the warehouse setting. A failure to do this can result in serious accidents.
To avoid these accidents, it is important that employers establish a culture of safety. Employees are more likely to be proactive about safe work habits if they know that it is company-wide priority. Ongoing safety training is also crucial to maintaining a safe work environment and avoiding accidents.
Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Injured Warehouse Workers
If you or someone you love has been injured in a warehouse accident, contact an experienced Baltimore Workers’ Compensation lawyer at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today 844-556-4LAW (4529) or contact us online. We serve clients throughout Maryland and have offices in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson.
