There are certain types of factory accidents that workers are more likely to experience when compared to other accident types. Therefore, it can be helpful to be aware of the most common accident types that occur within factories so that you can ensure that you know how to safeguard against this happening within your workplace. Here’s the 4 of the most common factory accidents.

To learn more or to start your claim, get in touch with our expert team on 0800 808 9740 or contact us online. 

1. Slips, Trips and Falls

One of the most common accident types within any workplace is the slip, trip and fall accident type. To try and prevent this type of accident, all employers and employees should aim to keep all floors dry and clean. If the floor has recently been cleaned or is in the process of being cleaned, signs should be placed around the area to highlight that the floor is wet. Similarly, if someone spills something, they should immediately clean it up and make it obvious, perhaps with the use of signs, to anyone else in the area that there is a spillage on the floor in the meantime.

Furthermore, your employer should ensure that all surfaces within the workplace are even so that the likelihood of someone tripping over an area of floor is decreased. Your employer has a duty to ensure that your health and safety is protected in the workplace and if that duty of care has not been fulfilled, you may be able to claim for compensation. 

2. Machine Injuries

Injuries resulting from interaction with an industrial machine can often be very severe and potentially life threatening. Therefore, all workers who operate or come into contact with machines should receive extensive training about how to use them safely. Similarly, all machines should have operating ‘stop’ buttons or other measures in place to ensure that if something does go wrong, it is possible to turn the machine off to stop the damage becoming worse.

Compensation amounts for machine-related injuries will often be quite high due to the fact that the injuries caused by machines is often quite severe. If you believe that your employer did not give you proper training about how to interact and handle machinery in the workplace, or if they did not provide any other protective measures, then you may be able to claim for compensation after an injury. 

3. Overexertion

Factory work is often very physically demanding which could result in a higher likelihood of a factory accident occurring. Employees usually have to remain on their feet and lift heavy objects for long periods of time. If an employee overexerts themselves, they could potentially sustain back, neck, leg or feet injuries due to the heavy lifting or the need to remain standing for hours. The demanding labour of factory work could also result in the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders usually result in symptoms like pain, weakness, stiffness and a decreased range of motion. 

Therefore, workers should be allowed to take regular breaks to ensure that they are not continuously doing the same tasks without stopping. Employees should also be allowed to rotate tasks if they are in the same job role to decrease the likelihood of overexertion occurring.

Furthermore, all employees should have access to water and refreshments so that dehydration does not occur. If an employee is forced to work in unsafe conditions, such as in a really hot factory without breaks or air conditioning, they may suffer from heat exhaustion and possibly faint. Fainting in itself can be dangerous but if an employee were to faint while near to machinery, this could cause an even bigger problem. 

4. Repetitive Strain Injuries

Similarly, to the problem of overexertion, many employees could possibly be injured due to completing a certain task over and over for hours. Therefore, as previously stated under the overexertion heading, employees should be allowed to take regular breaks and they should be allowed to swap tasks between employees of a similar job role.

This will help to decrease the amount of time that employees are doing certain tasks which can hopefully decrease the likelihood that they will suffer a strain injury. Strain injuries happen because the same muscles have been used repeatedly to perform the same motion, which can cause the soft tissue to start to deteriorate. 

Making Personal Injury Claims for Factory Accidents

If you have been injured due to poor conditions or mistreatment while working in a factory, you may be entitled to compensation. First Personal Injury solicitors are available to assist you and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. 

First Personal Injury works with both families and individuals across England and Wales, leading them on their legal journey and helping them claim compensation after an accident or injury. 

To learn more or to start your claim, get in touch with our expert team on 0800 808 9740 or contact us online. 

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