When you landed a manufacturing job in California, you may have understood that the work had the potential to be busy and stressful. This type of work can be dangerous, too, especially if your duties require you to use heavy machinery and electrical equipment, or lift heavy objects and perform other tasks that place you at risk for injury.
Your employer plays a key role in helping you to maintain safety on the job. Upon hiring, you should receive proper training and any safety equipment available to help you avoid injuries in the workplace. A typical work environment in the manufacturing industry might also contain safety markers and signage to warn you of potential hazards. If an employer fails to provide job training or inform you of a known hazard in the workplace, it increases your risk for an on-the-job injury.
Injuries that often occur in the manufacturing industry
Any time you come into contact with objects or equipment in the workplace, you’re at risk for injury. In fact, the National Safety Council states that such injuries comprise at least 34% of all injuries in the manufacturing industry. If you happen to work on an assembly line or perform a job where you make the same motions over and over again, you may also be at risk for a Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).
Symptoms of RSI include pain in your muscles or tendons, as well as soreness in a specific area of the body, often in a limb or your neck or back area. It can be a debilitating condition, which, in its most severe form, may prevent you from being able to work. Slips and falls, as well as exposure to harmful substances or environments, are additional types of injuries that are common in the manufacturing industry.
Navigating the recovery process after a workplace injury
If you suffer an injury on the job, things may get worse before they get better. Depending on your specific symptoms, you may need surgery, physical therapy or daily living assistance on a temporary or permanent basis. Medical care is expensive, which can cause financial distress, especially if you must take time off work because of your injuries.
Most California employers purchase workers’ compensation insurance to provide benefits to injured workers, which can help cover medical expenses, replace lost wages and help to make ends meet at home during recovery. The claims process can be complex and stressful, particularly if your employer or an insurance agency tries to deny your claim. You can tap into local resources for support from those who are well-versed in workers’ compensation law.
ES