Various workplaces across Vero Beach use, store or distribute chemical substances. With the appropriate safety measures, employees generally manage to get through their days without sustaining injuries.
Nevertheless, when chemicals are present, there is always a risk of injury. Outlined below are some of the more common chemical substances and the injuries that may be associated with them.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is fairly common and it can also be very harmful to those exposed to it. One thing that makes the substance so dangerous is that it is odorless, so the human senses cannot pick it up automatically. Employers have a duty to ensure that workers are safe from this toxic gas, by installing detection systems as well as providing adequate Personal Protective Equipment. Failure to do so can have catastrophic consequences.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can severely impact a person’s ability to breathe, focus and ultimately function in day-to-day life. In extreme circumstances, carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.
Acids
Certain acids may be present in manual workspaces. Hydrochloric and sulfuric acid are just two of the more notable acid substances. The former is frequently used in fertilizers, while the latter is often known simply as battery acid.
While these materials have their uses, they are also potentially dangerous. If workers become exposed to these substances, they may suffer severe chemical burns that leave behind permanent scarring. If these chemicals get into the eyes, they can inflict permanent blindness.
Your employer has a duty to keep you as safe as possible in the workplace. If you have been exposed to harmful substances, and subsequently injured, make sure you check out your legal options in further detail. Workers’ compensation can provide many benefits that can help.