Employees in industries such as transportation, manufacturing, and construction are prone to workplace accidents despite taking the appropriate precautions. Defective tools and equipment are a major cause of injuries. Notably, more than 2.8 million injuries happened in 2019, according to the US Department of Labor.
Some common accidents include broken bones, crushing injuries, puncture wounds, burns, traumatic brain injury, and disfigurement. Others can suffer from eye injuries, electric shock, lacerations, neck and back injuries. These injuries are a result of malfunctioning tools.
Dangerous Power Tools
Power tools are standard in many industries since they make work easier. They also help to perform tasks with more accuracy and precision. However, a defect in these tools can significantly impact workers’ safety.
Chain saws have contributed to a majority of woodwork related accidents. It’s a dangerous power tool if it lacks anti-kickback or safety devices, which increases the possibility of injuries. Shapers also pose a significant risk, especially when improperly positioned or installed. It should be used together with a guard when in operation to avoid injuries.
Still, a significant cause of the injuries can be from manufacturers’ defective power tools, accidents, or errors as workers perform different tasks. The damage can range from amputations, electrocution, burns, and minor bumps.
Welding Rod
Workers dealing with metallic products use welding rods to fuse or join metallic objects. They can harm the user while heating the metal. In this process, the metals emit fumes that can cause serious health effects on workers due to nickel, manganese, and chromium.
Too much exposure to manganese can damage the liver, kidney, and nervous system or cause Parkinson’s disease in the long-term. Workers show common symptoms such as dementia, slurred speech, lack of balance, and movement difficulties. Over time, these illnesses become worse since there is no cure.
Defective Ladders
Ladders are assumed to be basic pieces of equipment in working sites. However, they put employees at risk in case of any flaws or defects. There are about 16,000 emergency room visits and 300 deaths caused by ladder falls each year in the U.S.
Ladders can come with traction, which can easily make it slide. The adjusting and locking system, if not correctly used, can also cause various hand and finger injuries. Workers should also check the maximum weight indicated for a specific model. Employees need to be extra careful to avoid tipping over as they climb to elevated heights. Additionally, watch out for unstable ladder frames.
Defective Nail Gun
Nail guns have become a popular tool in many industries. Consequently, there has been rise in accidents from the same device with injuries such as:
- Eye injuries – A nail gun can easily backfire and, in turn, pierce sensitive regions of a user’s face. If it gets to the eyes, the worker can suffer from eye trauma, which can interfere with their sight.
- Bone injury – A nail can penetrate a worker, which can cause severe inflammation due to bacteria.
- Brain injury – Depending on the nature of the work, the nail can propel at a higher velocity. If it gets to a worker’s head, the high impact can damage the brain’s nerve fibers, resulting in prolonged brain injuries.
Conclusion
As a worker, you should know that any tool can harm your body or affect your health. Still, employers should provide workplace safety standards as per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. You can visit this link to learn more about companies manufacturing defective tools. However, you can get a personal injury attorney and seek legal redress due to injuries suffered as a result of using defective tools.
