There are several jobs where the worker can be exposed to hazardous substances˳ These include cleaners, who are exposed to chemicals such as bleach that could cause permanent skin burns˳ Welders can inhale dangerous fumes, and garage workers are exposed to all kinds of oils and fumes which can affect their immune system and cause future breathing problems, as well as preventable problems like being exposed to asbestos˳ There are also dangers for people working with photo processing chemicals, adhesives, garden supplies, cleaning detergents, pesticides and paints˳
Employers should have a duty of quality of care for their employees and are accountable for negligence should an oversight over health and safety occur˳ Someone harmed by hazardous substances may hire personal injury lawyers to hold the employer accountable as they should have instructed about health hazards and provided training in which to do so˳ They should know the full information about the effects of hazardous substances and should have found solutions to prevent exposure of workers to hazardous substances˳ Personal injury lawyers can also pick up on such things as employers not putting the correct hazard signage which usually includes very toxic, toxic, harmful, corrosive, and irritant˳ There will be a good claim for compensation for personal injury if the employer has not applied the correct hazard symbols like this˳
Personal injury claims can also bring in a break of legislation such as The Control of Substances hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) which gives the employer the obligation to minimise the risk of hazardous substances, apply control measures on routes to exposure, and train all employees on the risks of hazardous substances˳ If these principles have been broken, then you may have a strong personal injury claim˳ Government guidelines were set out especially to oblige the employer to make the employee aware of hazardous substances˳ If they have not done this then they are liable for any injuries suffered as a result˳ The main piece of UK legislation is the Health and safety at Work Act (1974) and this obliges the safe use and storing of dangerous substances˳ If the employee has not used gloves when handling dangerous substances, the personal injury lawyer could argue that the employer did not alert them as to whether these were needed or indeed that the substance was hazardous in the first place˳
There are several types of different compensation you could receive if you have been injured, or are a family member or a loved one has died as a result of handling hazardous chemicals˳ These accidents could cause death, allergic reactions, major skin irritation, burns, ingestion damage, eye irritation and scalds˳ Compensation can include general damages which are awarded based on the pain and suffering endured as a result and special damages is for losses and expenses and accounts for financial security˳ In terms of industrial accidents the date you were diagnosed with the illness not the date you were in touch with a hazardous substance is what the claim would go on˳
An example of such an accident is the belief that rescue workers at ground zero on 9/11 were knowingly exposed to toxic fumes˳ It is believed that the workers were not provided with protective masks˳ They blamed the government for knowingly preventing protection of rescue workers at ground zero˳ There were also reports that some had since been diagnosed with lung diseases and cancer˳ This is a prime example of negligence and disregard for safety, with the case going to court and workers accusing the government of covering up the truth˳ If this was in a workplace, the employer would be liable for sending someone into a toxic zone unprotected˳
Hazardous substances can cause life threatening injuries and the employer should be held accountable if they did not follow correct health and safety guidelines that consequently led to the employees’ injury˳ The best thing for victims to do is to get compensation and quick by handing the job over to personal injury lawyers as they can find the best way of holding the employer fully accountable˳
Source by https://ezinearticles˳com/?Harmed-by-a-Hazardous-Substance-at-Work?-What-to-Do-Next&id=6385165
