There are several industries that carry a high level of risk for on-the-job injury, and food processing is one of them. If you work in this industry, in a job such as meat packing, you should be aware of the various hazards you face so that you can take active steps to avoid them and stay safe.
On-the-job injuries can keep you out of work for an extended period of time, and if the injuries are serious enough, you may end up with a lifelong disability. With so much at stake, it is essential that you take precautions to avoid the particular hazards of the food-processing industry.
Injuries can be more serious
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, said that serious injuries that require work restrictions or days away from the job occur three times more often in the meat-packing industry than in other US industries. This has to do with a variety of factors, including the fact that meat-packing and food-processing workers use dangerous equipment that can result in injuries as serious as amputations. Factory conditions and machines may be unsafe, with slip-and-fall risks, chemical risks and mechanical risks due to equipment. Sometimes it is not enough to take safety measures such as proper non-skid shoes and safety training on machines and equipment. If factory conditions are continually unsafe, the company itself may be at fault.
Workers’ compensation for injuries
Federal and state law provides protection for employees who suffer injuries at work. The process for claiming this benefit usually starts when you report your injury to your employer, which you should do as soon as possible after the accident or after you discover the injury. However, sometimes there are issues with the claims and benefits process, such as when an insurance company denies your workers’ compensation claim. Delayed payments may also be a problem. Because workers’ compensation benefits can assist you with lost wages so you can recover from your injury, it is essential that you do not encounter any complications in the claims process and take legal action when they do occur.
