There are many jobs where workers can be exposed to toxic and hazardous materials. Employers who handle these types of materials are required to provide all workers with Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDS, advising of how to handle the substance, as well as what to do if exposure occurs. This is a requirement by law of employers. If this data is not provided, an employer can face a severe penalty from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA up to and including shutdown.
Personal protective equipment should always be utilized when working with or around a hazardous substance. An employer is required to provide and perform regular routine maintenance and inspection of this equipment. If any are found to be out of date, they should be immediately replaced. Employers should also make sure that proper ventilation is in place for areas which contain hazardous substances.
Toxic exposure in a workplace can present a plethora of health problems for an employee, often taking place unknown over the course of years. A medical professional can perform a toxicity lab screen to look for certain substances in a person’s blood. If toxic substances are found that are consistent with the workplace, then an employer may be held liable in a personal injury lawsuit. Some situations become so bad over time that they lead to death due to cancer or other terrible diseases from toxic exposure in the workplace.
A person who even suspects that they are being exposed to hazardous toxic waste or products in a workplace may want to consult with a worker’s compensation attorney to gain a better perspective of their situation and what options they might have. This guidance could help with the preservation of evidence and proof.
Source: Findlaw.com, “Toxic Exposure in the Workplace,” Accessed Dec. 25, 2017
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