Five Common Warehouse Injuries

Working in a warehouse is a tough job even when everything is going smoothly. In such a busy environment with heavy objects and machinery, accidents can happen at any time. If you have suffered an injury as the result of a warehouse accident, your employer or another party may be liable.

Every warehouse should have strict policies surrounding safety. In many cases, the protocols in a warehouse are mandated by law. Your employee has a duty of care to ensure that hazards are identified and removed to ensure the safety of workers. The following are examples of common warehouse accidents that can result in serious injuries.

Slips, Trips and Falls

A large percentage of accidents in a warehouse are the result of a slip, trip or fall. Where the accidents are caused by an avoidable hazard, the employee may be responsible. A warehouse is a likely environment for these accidents because premises are typically large and experience a lot of traffic.

Spills, plastic binding, boxes and other hazards are typically the cause of an employee slipping, tripping or falling in a warehouse. Such hazards should be addressed within a reasonable timeframe to prevent accidents. The employer should have policies for cleaning up spills, disposing of packaging materials and storing boxes correctly to protect employees.

Lifting & Handling

Around 20% of the accidents that occur in a warehouse are the result of lifting or handling heavy objects. There are two main issues at play in these scenarios that may point to employer liability. Proper training should be provided and where applicable, specialist equipment must be used to lift and move objects that are too heavy to handle manually.

In some cases, the shape of an object is just as hazardous as its weight. If you have suffered an injury while lifting or handling an object in the workplace, do not assume there is no liability. Speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer to get a professional opinion on whether or not you have a case for compensation.

Heavy Machinery & Crushing Accidents

Heavy machinery is potentially hazardous to warehouse workers. Without proper training, employees should not operate equipment such as forklifts and scissor lifts. Injuries can occur when an employee gets hit by or trapped under heavy machinery. Mechanism accidents are also common in certain types of warehouses.

Unfortunately, many accidents also occur because heavy equipment fails or overturns. The injuries from these unpredictable events are often severe and fatalities are not uncommon. The employer may hold responsibility if the equipment did not meet industry standards or was poorly maintained.

Falling Objects

If a warehouse is used to shelve a large supply of products, falling objects are a potential hazard. These accidents may result from unsafe storage procedures or poor maintenance of shelving. Injuries may include anything from a concussion to a broken neck. Fatalities can also result from injuries sustained in a falling object accident.

Where it is known that heavy objects are stacked above head height in a warehouse, employees should take proper safety measures such as securing items and wearing hardhats. Shelving should also go through regular safety checks to ensure strength and stability.

Chemical Burn Injuries

Some warehouses store dangerous chemicals that can cause serious burns and may even damage the lungs and other internal organs if inhaled. Chemicals should be stored in suitable containers that are clearly marked with appropriate hazardous symbols to help ensure employee safety.

If you have suffered a warehouse injury that has prevented you from returning to work and resulted in lost wages, call the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown in Alabama or Georgia today.