A short while ago, you may remember I wrote a post about my hair stylist who had been suffering from Carpel Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) a type of Repetitive Strain Injury or RSI. Well I'm glad to say she has recently undergone her operation and is currently recovering at home - so if you see me out and about going about my daily business, you'll forgive me if my hair is looking a little unruly!
In Alison's case, her employer had taken every resonable precaution to lessen the risk of such injury. Sadly, specially balanced scissors, adjustable chairs, regular breaks and other precautions helped, but could not completely eradicate the risk to her health. It appears Alison is simply more prone to the condition than most, there is nothing more her employers could have done to prevent her injury. Sadly, not all employers are so conscientious.
According to Health & Safety Statistics 1.1 million work related injuries were reported in 2011/12. Although some of these are minor, 212,000 required absences of over 3 days and alarmingly 173 people were killed at work.
An Industrial accident is an on-the-job injury that occurs while an employee is performing their usual work related tasks. They can occur because of poor working conditions, the use of unsafe equipment, the lack of protective equipment, or a poor working environment.
Some examples of industrial injuries include:
Dermatitis
Dermititis affects 50,000 to 100,000 people per year in the UK and can be caused by coming in contact with dust, chemicals or enzymes at work. People most at risk include: kitchen workers, hospital staff, manufacturing or factory workers, hairdressers, cleaners, printers and engineers.
Occupational Asthma
This condition affects 400,000 people and is often the result of someone’s working environment.
Asbestosis
Caused by inhaling harmful asbestos fibres which become airborne when disturbed.
Mesothelioma
A rare form of cancer caused by inhaling asbestos fibres. As with asbestosis you must have been diagnosed in the last three years to make a claim.
Industrial Deafness
Commonly caused by being exposed to high noise levels for long periods of time. Symptoms can include a ringing in the ears or being unable to hear high-pitched sounds.
Vibration White Finger
Prolonged or intensive use of vibrating power tools can cause fingers to become white when cold or wet, or result in a lack of strength or limited movement in fingers.
Chemical Injuries
Chemical injuries occur when someone is exposed to a hazardous substance, either in the atmosphere or through direct contact with the skin.
Employers "Duty of Care"
These injuries are preventable, and are often the result of an employer’s negligence or failure to implement preventative measures. For example the risk of suffering such injuries could be reduced by the employer ensuring the following;
Dermatitis– providing protective clothing
Occupational Asthma–following COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations)
Asbestosis & Mesothelioma–checking if the building has asbestos and if so to providing the correct protective equipement
Industrial Deafness–providing the correct ear protection
Vibration White Finger -providing training and anti-vibration gloves
Chemical Injuries– following COSHH and providing protective clothing where necessary.
Your employer has a duty of care to you, which means they must take reasonable steps to do all they can to keep you safe at work. If they fail to do this then you have the right to seek Industrial Accident Compensation (sometimes also called an Industrial Illness Claim). If you think you may be entitled to compensation due to an injury sustained at work, or are unsure and would like to talk to someone about your situation, then our friendly specialist advisors are on hand. There is no charge for this service and you are under no obligation to claim with us.
If You Have a Genuine Claim, Contact a Genuine Company.
May I Claim, is a trading name of R Costings Limited and our CRM number is 25770
If you’ve had an accident that wasn’t your fault and suffered an injury - you can trust us to handle your claim professionally.
Call us now on 0800 756 7774 and talk to us to find out if you have a claim - or fill in our Quick Claim form (on the right of this page).
http://info.mayiclaim.co.uk/personal_injury_compensation_claim_news/bid/275111/Industrial-Accidents-Injuries-at-Work
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