Many people will think about Connecticut workers’ compensation claims when it comes to warehouses in terms of forklift injuries or back strains, things that you may commonly associate with a warehouse. Did you ever consider that warehouse workers may be susceptible to electrical injuries? It’s true, one of the top 5 injuries to occur in warehouses is an electrical injury.
While electrical injuries may not be the first things that come to mind when thinking about ways that warehouse workers can get injured, they are certainly dangerous and can cause serious injuries that can leave you out of work for days or weeks. These injuries need to be avoided at all cost and it takes a partnership between the warehouse and the workers to keep everyone safe and free from injuries.
While workplace safety is ultimately the responsibility of the owner/operator of the warehouse, workers play a role in that safety as well. If you are working at a warehouse here are a few ways you can protect yourself from getting injured as the result of an electrical injury.
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Avoid contact with any wires that are laying on the ground or appear to be frayed in any way. Contact with live wires is one of the most dangerous things that can occur in a warehouse setting and an injury from this contact can result in serious health concerns leading to a tremendous amount of time away from work.
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Follow all outlined safety procedures that your company has set forth. If your company does not provide guidance on working around electricity you should speak with your supervisor about what the procedures are to keep people safe. While it is not your responsibility to set this policy, it is your responsibility to follow it and keep yourself free from injury. If your employer will not provide you with safety protocols you can report them to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for unsafe working conditions.
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Do not attempt to repair anything that is electrical, even if you have experience. It is the responsibility of your employer to also employ workers to fix any issues that may arise, especially when they revolve around electricity. If there is not an expert on staff, one should be brought in to do the work. Even if you’re a weekend warrior and do the electrical repair work around your house, you should never do it at work unless that is what you have been hired to do.
Contact with live wires can cause serious injuries that will result in a lot of time away from your job. If you get injured as the result of this type of contact you should immediately speak with your supervisor, if you are able, and start the process of filing a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim to make sure you are compensated for any time you may miss away from work. Staying safe at work is a partnership between you and your employer, but in the event that an accident happens and that partnership breaks down you need to be protected.
If you do find yourself injured and in a situation where you may miss some time from work, you may wish to speak with an experienced and board certified workers’ compensation attorney. Contact our office and one of our attorneys will review your situation and work with you to help protect your long-term interests.
