By Barsha Bhattacharya
Why must you be cautious of chemical exposure in the workplace? In general, construction work exposes workers to hazardous substances. These include asbestos, lead paint, diesel exhaust, and chemical solvents.
Hence, when you handle these materials, symptoms like dizziness, skin burns, or difficulty breathing indicate toxic exposure. Basically, these are serious health concerns.
Read on to get an idea of what to do after chemical exposure at the workplace.
Why Must You Be Cautious of Chemical Exposure in the Workplace?
Primarily, if you face chemical exposure at the workplace, it is a situation that warrants concern. This is because you might experience immediate health effects. Also, in some cases, long-term health effects are common.
In addition to that, if you face chemical exposure for a long time, you might face some of the worst health conditions. These include respiratory problems, cancer, neurological disorders, etc.
Meanwhile, there are risks of workplace hazards. This is because some chemicals are reactive and flammable. Hence, it might bring various risks at the workplace (like fire, explosions, etc.). Therefore, workplace safety must always be a concern for everyone.
Hence, in these cases, you must act immediately.
What to Do After Chemical Exposure at the Workplace? – Essential Steps
If you are suffering from toxic exposure at a construction site, you must always act fast. First, you must get medical attention instantly. Also, you have to notify your employer about the situation. In fact, making everyone aware is the first step to prevention.
Apart from that, be sure to document all symptoms and site conditions. In addition to that, document other related conversations for future reference.
The following are the major steps you must take after you face a chemical exposure at the workplace:
1. Inform the Doctor Immediately
Your health is always the topmost priority. Primarily, you might be concerned that you were exposed to harmful chemicals or toxic substances in a construction worksite.
In such situations, do not let symptoms progress to an advanced stage. Rather, you must immediately go to a medical center.
Visit a hospital or occupational health clinic. Also, fully disclose your working environment. Moreover, give details about the chemicals to which you have been exposed.
Moreover, it is essential to document symptoms accurately. This way, medical professionals will be able to order the correct tests. Apart from that, keep copies of all medical records. These include diagnoses and laboratory tests.
However, even if you’re okay at first, some toxic exposures have delayed timing. Thereby, they will end up causing harm long-term if not treated immediately.
2. Report the Exposure to Your Employer
As soon as you suspect exposure to a toxic substance, notify your supervisor or site manager immediately. This is really important for your personal health and legal protection. Also, it will help you prevent others from getting exposed.
Apart from that, provide a written report detailing the following:
- What happened?
- What symptoms are you experiencing?
- Which substance do you believe caused the exposure?
In addition to that, ask for a copy of the report for your records.
Moreover, your workplace might have a safety officer or environmental health representative. Hence, be sure to inform them as well. This way, they will be able to trigger appropriate safety protocols.
3. Document Everything
Strong documentation is most important in toxic exposure cases. Hence, to ensure proper documentation, do the following:
- Jot down the exact time and date of the incident. Also, note down the location.
- Take pictures or videos of the hazardous material, its labels, containers, and other necessary details.
- Take clear photos of any unsafe conditions. These might include poor ventilation or leaking pipes.
In addition to that, take note of all symptoms you are experiencing. Also, keep a record of when they started. Moreover, talk to any coworkers who witnessed the incident or are experiencing similar symptoms. Furthermore, get their contact information or written statements.
Basically, these details will be extremely valuable if you want to file a claim. Also, they are really helpful during court proceedings.
4. Claim for Workers’ Compensation
At the outset, the exposure might have happened while performing your job duties. In this case, you might be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. This coverage will actually help you with medical expenses, lost wages, and any necessary rehabilitation.
Hence, file a claim with your employer. Also, reach out to your state’s workers’ comp board as soon as possible.
Apart from that, make sure to include all relevant medical documentation. Also, provide a detailed account of the incident.
In general, each state has a deadline for filing. Hence, do not delay the process. Moreover, follow up to ensure your claim is being processed correctly.
5. Choose a Toxic Tort or Third-Party Lawsuit
In some situations, someone other than your employer may be responsible for the exposure. This might be the manufacturer of faulty safety equipment. Or, it might also be a subcontractor who improperly handled chemicals.
If that’s the case, you will be able to file a toxic tort. Also, you will be eligible for a third-party lawsuit. Moreover, these types of cases might result in compensation exceeding what workers’ compensation offers. These include the following payments:
- pain and suffering of the victim
- emotional distress
- long-term medical expenses.
In those cases, an experienced attorney will be able to help you identify negligence. Also, they might even identify faulty equipment or safety violations. This way, you will have a strong chance of getting the compensation you deserve.
Take Early Steps
Chemical exposure is the last thing you want in the workplace. This is because it might affect your health in the worst way possible. Apart from that, it might also lead to workplace hazards. Hence, this way, it might negatively impact the health conditions. Thereby, it also impacts the lives of others.
However, if you already face symptoms due to chemical exposure, get instant medical assistance. In addition to that, consult an attorney for guidance on filing a workers’ compensation claim.
Do you have more suggestions on what to do after a chemical exposure? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments below.
