The EHS Daily Advisor, which covers environment, health and safety management, reports nearly 20,000 food workers suffered nonfatal workplace injuries in 2016.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks the types of typical food industry injuries as follows:
- sprains, strains and tears (47 percent)
- back pain and soreness (20 percent)
- musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diseases and disorders (13 percent)
- hernias and carpal tunnel syndrome (10 percent each)
The cost to food manufacturers hits their bottom line in many ways:
- Hiring replacement workers
- Reductions in productivity
- Repairing damaged equipment
- Increases in workers’ compensation insurance premiums
How To Prevent Injuries
The EHS Daily Advisor says the food manufacturing industry can minimize workplace accidents by understanding their causes and implementing safety programs for their employees.
For example, EHS notes the importance of cleanliness in food processing, but also that chemicals utilized in manufacturing, cleanup and sanitation can be harmful to workers. Employers, therefore, must educate employees and train them about the safe handling of chemicals to avoid burns, poisoning, exposure and other injuries.
Just as obvious, workers need to know how to properly and safely operate machinery. The failure of a company to explain and implement safety requirements to its employees can lead to everything from broken bones to amputations – costly to a worker’s livelihood and a company’s insurance premiums.
Get Serious – and Get Justice
Despite the dangers, some employers in northern Pennsylvania appear not to take the safety of their workers seriously. Maybe they think the cost of safety is too high when they have a human resources department, a team of lawyers and insurance companies prepared to oppose your worker’s compensation claim. In fact, they will likely try to blame the accident on you.
If you’ve been injured in a food product manufacturing accident, you may be unable to work for an extended period while your bills, now including costly medical expenses, pile up. It will be even more difficult to provide for your family, adding emotional and mental stress to your dire situation. Aware of your desperation, an insurance company may offer to settle your claim for much less money than you need or deserve.
Fortunately, you don’t have to fight for your family alone. The northern Pennsylvania workers’ compensation lawyers at O’Malley and Langan Law Offices have been standing up to employers and their insurance companies since 1990. With a staff of more than 30 at offices in Scranton, Pittston and Towanda, they have the experience and depth of resources to secure financial justice for you and your family. Contact them today for a free case consultation. You pay nothing unless they win your case.
