Working in a warehouse can be rewarding, but it isn’t always easy. These jobs often have workers spending countless hours moving crates, unloading trucks and spending most of their day behind a forklift.
Many people who work in warehouses know to expect some kind of danger. If you’re just starting out working in a warehouse, you may want to know what to expect – here’s what you should know:
Forklifts can cause serious, even fatal accidents
If you see a coworker behind a forklift, there may be a high chance they weren’t formally trained to use it, which could raise the risk of injuries. Untrained forklift drivers may cause injuries found in motor vehicle accidents.
What works may have to watch out for, however, are the tongs on the forklift. The forks used to lift crates are often sharp and can pierce through clothes and skin alike under the wrong conditions.
Chemical spills and exposure
Warehouse workers move all kinds of shipments: metal, food, furniture, books, clothing, wood and more. There may be shipments jam-packed with chemical materials. In an accident, these chemicals can spill and splash onto employees. Toxic substance exposure (whether inhaled or physically touched) could cause burning or inflammation and similar chemical reactions.
Slip-and-falls
A lot of slick substances coat warehouse floors without constant cleaning. Employees may have to work around spilled liquids, oil off of a forklift, rain or ice. If an employee were to slip and fall, they may experience serious head and spine trauma.
Injuries caused by dangerous working conditions and hazards can make it hard for an employee to continue their work or return promptly. If you were hurt on the job, then you may need to reach out for legal assistance that can support your need for workers’ compensation.
