What to Do if You Were Exposed to Chemicals in Your Workplace

As an employee, workplace safety is your right. However, workers continue to be exposed to a range of chemicals and toxins every day. If you believe you were injured on the job as a result of chemical exposure, you need to know what steps to take, as well as which options are available to you to get compensation for your injuries.

Get Treatment

Getting medical attention is the first step to take if you’ve sustained chemical exposure on the job. Your health is the number one priority. Being quick to get treatment for chemical exposure can prevent more serious injury down the road.

Depending on the type of exposure, you may need to flush your eyes, wash chemicals from your hands, or ventilate the area to dissipate toxic fumes.

Report

After you’ve been treated for exposure, it’s imperative to let your supervisor know what happened. Ensure that you include as much detail as possible in your report, including the names of anyone else who may have been exposed. A detailed report will also help you in the event you decide to pursue legal action.

Call Your Doctor

After reporting the incident, you need to ensure you get in to see your doctor, who can make a further determination about the severity of your injuries and ensure prompt treatment. You will also have another piece of evidence for your workers’ comp lawyer that shows you obtained medical treatment.

The Hazard Communication Standard

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration devised its Hazard Communication standard to ensure that employee exposure to chemicals is regulated. This is done by requiring employers to develop and distribute information about chemical hazards in the workplace to their employees.

This standard should list the chemicals in the workplace, and their accompanying labels and MSDS. It should also develop a program for employees to be trained in handling these chemicals. In addition, all employees should be protected from becoming injured by presenting a written plan for the control or elimination of known hazards by a deadline.

Seek Legal Advice

If you believe your employer was negligent, you may be entitled to compensation. There are many ways that an employer can be held liable for your chemical exposure. A negligent employer may not:

• Properly evaluate the hazards of the toxins in your workplace
• Properly inform you of the dangers of the chemicals you’re exposed to
• Properly train you in the safe use of chemicals and their health risks
• Provide you with protective equipment

Employers Should Be Held Accountable

Hard-working employees shouldn’t have to suffer from daily chemical exposure just to earn a paycheck. If you’ve sustained injury from short- or long-term exposure to workplace chemicals, you need a workers’ compensation attorney who will get you the resolution you deserve.

Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers have 50 years of experience in personal injury lawsuits. We’ve helped injured workers recover damages for lost wages, medical expenses, and more. Claim your free consultation today.