Hazardous Substance Claims- Hazardous Substances at Work
Exposure to hazardous substances at work can result in serious injury. Hazardous substances can come in many forms including liquids, gases, mists, solids, and fumes. Your employer must follow strict guidelines to ensure you are not exposed to hazardous substances at work via skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion. You are eligible to receive compensation whenever someone’s negligence causes to you become injured by hazardous substances at your workplace.
Hazardous Substances at Work – Types
The Health and Safety Executive has set out specific classes due to the wide array of hazardous substances in the workplace. Every hazardous substance in the workplace must be categorized into categories stating the amount of risk each substance possesses. Biological agents and dust can be considered hazardous substances as well. Below are the categories used to determine the risk level of a substance:
- Toxic
- Very Toxic
- Corrosive
- Harmful
- Irritant
What are the Risks Hazardous Substances Present?
Exposure to hazardous substances has been linked to life-threatening diseases such as cancers, asthma, and dermatitis. These long-term health problems can cause a significant drop in your quality of life and require you to seek permanent medical assistance. There are also short-term risks that must be considered as well. Something as simple as a splash of bleach on the skin can cause irritation and inflammation. The same splash in the eye can cause blindness. Some professions carry the additional risk of long-term exposure to dust. Dust exposure at high levels or for long periods of time has been linked to respiratory diseases and other lung problems.
Who is at Risk from Hazardous Substances?
You are at risk if you work in any profession that requires you to work around or handle hazardous substances. Long-term exposure to these substances adds another level of risk to the scenario. Below are examples of some professions that are exposed to these risks on a daily basis.
Healthcare Staff
Needlesticks and sharps can expose healthcare staff to infections and contagious disease. According to a recent HSE study, the majority of needlesticks occurred from improper disposal. It is imperative that your employer provides you with the proper disposal tools for dealing with needles and sharps. You are eligible to receive compensation if your employer failed to meet these guidelines and it resulted in you becoming injured.
Garage Workers
Garage workers are exposed to numerous hazardous substances including dust, exhaust fumes, paints, solvents, oils, and grease. Employers must provide all employees with the proper safety training. This must include how to respond to hazardous incidents that may occur. The proper safety equipment, such as goggles, must be provided to prevent injury.
Hairdressers
A 2014 study conducted by the WVE (http://www.womensvoices.org/safe-salons/beauty-and-its-beast/) on the negative effects of exposure to salon chemicals revealed that salon workers are at risk of serious health problems as a result of working around hair sprays, acrylic nail applications, and other hazardous fumes. Salon workers reported neurological symptoms, asthma, skin diseases, and reproductive disorders as a result of exposure to hazardous substances. You are eligible to receive compensation if you have experienced injury because of exposure to salon chemicals.
Cleaners
Cleaners are exposed to hazardous chemicals such as bleach, on a daily basis. Working with these chemicals puts you at greater risk of burns, skin complications, blindness, and lung diseases. Your employer must provide you with adequate safety equipment such as gloves and masks to prevent injury from occurring. In many instances, cleaners are injured when chemicals are unknowingly mixed and a chemical reaction occurs creating poisonous gasses.
Welders
Welders are exposed to dangerous fumes that have been linked with lung diseases including cancer and asthma. All welders must be provided the proper tools for their job including all safety equipment necessary. When your employer does not adhere to this guideline, they are considered to be acting in a negligent manner and can be held financially liable for your injuries.
Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposal workers are among some of the highest at risk for exposure to hazardous chemicals. In some instances, chemicals that were not harmful can mix and become a dangerous new chemical compound or poisonous gas that can injure employees. There are also the long-term effects of deadly fumes and exposure to biological agents that must be considered.
Can I Lodge a Hazardous Substances Claim Against My Employer?
You are eligible to lodge a claim against your employer whenever you have been injured because of their neglect or failure to follow the guidelines set out by the HSE in regards to workplace safety. You cannot be fired for lodging your claim and it is not your employer that will have to pay your compensation. Your employer’s insurer, who has been collecting payments for years from your employer, will be obligated to pay your compensation. You should never choose to not lodge a claim when you are injured because it may prevent you from getting access to the best medical care possible.
How Long do I Have to Lodge my Claim?
You have three years from the date of your accident to lodge your claim with the court. You should never wait until the last minute to lodge a claim because it can make the evidence-gathering process more difficult. The moments following your accident are going to yield the most valuable evidence to support your case. This evidence can include witnesses, CCTV footage, and medical reports. Claim Solutions Scotland Ltd can gather all the evidence you need to lodge a claim with the court successfully.
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