What is the Most Common Injury Caused by Working with Machinery Unsafely?

Many industries involve working with machinery, including agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and more. Any type of machinery runs the risk of causing injuries, but the risks increase when employers or employees use machinery unsafely. 

If you suffered injuries on the job due to machinery or for any other reason, consult a Boise, ID, workers’ compensation attorney about your rights. 

Understanding the Risks of Machine-Related Injuries in the Workplace

One of the most frequent injuries in environments involving machinery is cuts or lacerations, particularly affecting the hands and fingers. These injuries typically occur from unsafe handling of machines or materials, leading to dangerous incidents where objects are ejected as projectiles.

Key Insights on Machine-Related Injuries:

• Primary Injury Sites: The upper extremities, especially hands and fingers, are most vulnerable to cuts and lacerations due to their frequent use in operating machinery.
• Common Causes: These injuries often result from inadequate safety measures like faulty machinery, improper material handling, and the absence of necessary safety guards.
• Additional Risks: Besides cuts, workers may face other serious injuries such as crushes, amputations, burns, and eye injuries, which vary based on the machinery used and specific workplace conditions.

Safety Recommendations: To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to ensure all machinery is properly maintained and equipped with safety guards. Workers should also receive thorough training on correct handling techniques and emergency procedures to reduce injury likelihood.

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What Is The Most Common Injury Caused By Working With Machinery Unsafely? 

One of the most frequent injuries resulting from unsafe machinery operation is a cut or laceration. When workers fail to follow proper safety procedures, the risk of sustaining cuts or lacerations increases significantly. These injuries commonly affect the hands, arms, fingers, legs, and even the face, ranging from minor scratches to severe, life-altering wounds. Ensuring that safety protocols are adhered to is essential in minimizing these risks.

If you’ve been injured while operating machinery and sustained lacerations, you must seek counsel from an Idaho workers’ compensation attorney. A lawyer can help determine if the machine was accidentally or purposely handled unsafely and help you build a case around the evidence.

What Are The Factors That Influence Sustaining Lacerations When Working With Machines Unsafely?

Several factors can lead to lacerations when working unsafely with machinery, including inadequate machine guards and improper handling. According to OSHA, some of the most common causes of cuts and lacerations include poorly maintained machine guards, failure to use personal protective equipment, and worker fatigue.

While accidents can happen, operating heavy machinery without proper safety measures significantly increases the risk of serious injuries. Below, our team outlines key factors that contribute to laceration injuries in the workplace:

• Not using safety equipment: The risk of sustaining laceration injuries significantly increases when individuals don’t wear the proper PPE, like gloves, safety glasses, and safety guards. This is because this PPE is designed to protect against flying debris, sharp edges, and other hazards. 
• Ignoring tagout or lockout procedures: Machines need upkeep, but not following lockout/tagout steps – turning off and securing machines before maintenance – can cause accidental activations and serious injuries, like lacerations.
• Poor training: Many laceration injuries are sustained because of poor training. Workers who don’t know how machines work are more likely to mishandle and incorrectly operate them if they aren’t taught how to use them safely.
• Improper material handling: Cuts and lacerations often occur when workers mishandle objects or materials near machines. When this happens, objects can go flying, and blades can strike the machine operator.
• Machine Malfunctions: This could result in faulty equipment causing unexpected movements, exposure to sharp edges, and other factors that increase the possibility of lacerations. These malfunctionings will be avoided through regular maintenance.
• Lack of Training: The chances of injury from machinery operating or bypassing a safety procedure are much higher for an untrained employee. Proper training reduces all risks.
• Inadequate Safety Policies: Employers who do not insist on adherence to safety rules or who do not regularly inspect equipment increase the likelihood of accidents.  Adopting strict safety policies and ensuring compliance can reduce these incidents.For this, proper safety measures must be implemented by employers in Idaho, like having appropriate guards at appropriate places and continuous training of workers.

What Are Other Common Injuries Sustained While Working WIth Machinery Unsafely? 

Besides lacerations, there are a few other common injuries workers sustain when working with machinery unsafely. We’ve listed these injuries below: 

• Broken bones
• Internal organ damage
• Scalping
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Entanglement injuries
• Crushing injuries
• Eye injuries
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Facial disfigurement
• Amputations
• Burns and scarring
• Electrocutions

Who is Liable for an Unsafe Machine?

In Idaho, liability from machinery injuries could rest on several parties depending on the nature of the accident.Under Idaho state law, employers are liable for providing a reasonably safe place of work. If an employer fails to service the machines or offer safety measures, he/she can be held liable in court for any injuries sustained. Similarly, if the machines have some inherent defects, the manufacturer can also be held liable.

Employers

Employers should check their machinery regularly, provide safety training to employees, and ensure that proper usage rules are followed. Failure to do so can make them liable for workplace injuries.

Manufacturers

Manufacturers may be responsible if a machine’s design or construction is inherently dangerous. For example, if a safety guard is defective or missing, the manufacturer could be held accountable.

Third-Party Contractors

They can also be held liable if a third-party maintenance company is negligent in making the repairs or conducting an inspection of the machine, resulting in injuries.

Employer responsibility, according to The International Labour Organizat, lies in maintaining standards that make the machines safe to operate.

Damages You Can Recover After a Machinery Injury

Injured workers in Idaho can recover several types of damages: medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Injured persons are entitled to recover damages depending on the severity of their injuries and how such injuries affect their lives.

Medical Expenses

A victim can recover compensation for all associated medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, medication, and continuing therapy.

Lost Wages

If the injury causes a worker to miss time at work, they can recover lost wages. This also includes future earnings if the injury affects long-term employability.

Pain and Suffering

Most of the time, accidents caused by inadequate machinery lead to long-term physical pain and emotional distress. The pain and suffering damage compensates for these non-economic damages.

Punitive Damages

In situations where the negligence is extreme or a deliberate misconduct occurred, courts might award punitive damages to punish the responsible party and deter further neglectfulness.

While workers’ compensation pays the basic expenses, pursuing a personal injury claim often provides broader compensation options. These claims may include additional damages based on long-term consequences, especially when there has been third-party negligence.

Speak With A Boise, Idaho, Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today To Discuss Your Claim

In Idaho, workers injured while working are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, but there are exceptions to this rule. That’s why it’s important to speak with a Boise, Idaho, attorney from Andrew Injury Law to determine if workers’ compensation covers your laceration injuries. We will analyze your case and help you file a workers’ compensation claim if eligible. Contact us here so that we can begin helping you navigate the claims process.