The North Carolina Department of Labor reports an injury rate in private industry of 2% for full-time workers annually. For the 467,325 people working in manufacturing in NC, and others across industrial sectors, the risk of industrial accidents is a constant concern.
Our experienced Gastonia workers’ compensation lawyers at Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys explain the common causes of industrial accidents in North Carolina.
An Overview of Industrial Workplace Hazards
NC private employers reported 68,800 nonfatal work injuries in 2023. An additional 177 fatal injuries occurred on the job in North Carolina in 2023. These injuries and fatalities resulted from several common causes.
Hazards may exist because of workstation design or workflow. Danger may exist because of poor training, biological hazards, or psychological stress. Neglect can allow dangers to develop over time.
Machine-Related and Equipment Accidents
Machine and equipment accidents can cause injury in multiple ways. A person may be crushed by equipment or may become stuck between pieces of machinery or between a machine and the wall or the floor.
Machine-related accidents can be especially harmful because machines are heavy and powerful. Injuries may include crushing injury, traumatic brain injury, and amputation. Underlying causes may include poor training, careless work, inadequate maintenance, and human error.
Transportation incidents in the industry can also cause harm. A person may be driving a vehicle or piece of equipment in a facility and strike another moving vehicle, equipment, or fixture. The person riding in a vehicle or a nearby pedestrian may be harmed by sudden deceleration or blunt trauma from a vehicle accident.
Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards in Industrial Settings
A slip and fall in an industrial setting may occur when a person:
- Falls from the same level, including slipping, tripping, or being pushed off balance by an outside force
- Falls from an elevated surface, including falling from an elevated height or because of a collapsing structure
- Slips and trips without falling, where the person catches themselves after becoming unsteady.
A slip and fall accident in an industrial setting may have many underlying causes, including spilled substances, crowded work areas, improper flooring, flooring in disrepair, inadequate footwear, poor positioning of a ladder, lack of fall protection, and more. A dangerous situation may not be addressed. Rushing and worker fatigue may also contribute to slip and fall accidents in industrial settings.
Slip and fall accidents resulted in 38 workplace deaths in North Carolina in 2023. BLS reports that slip and falls account for 39.2% of all construction fatalities. Portable ladders and stairs pose a high risk of harm to construction workers.
In addition to slip and fall hazards, a person may be injured by jumping from an elevated surface. They may misjudge the risk of the jump, land awkwardly, or jump to a slippery or unsteady surface.
Chemical Exposure and Hazardous Materials
A person who works in industry may encounter chemicals in liquid, gas, dust, or solid form. Exposure may occur through ingestion, breathing, or absorption. Accidental exposure may occur with or without personal protective equipment.
Substances may be harmful because they are toxic, corrosive, carcinogenic, or poisonous. NSC reports that nearly all (96.3%) people exposed to a harmful substance or environment at work miss at least one day of work.
Exposure to Harmful Environments
In addition to dangerous chemicals, an overall environment can be harmful to an industrial worker. If a worker is exposed to noise, temperature, changes in air or water pressure, or radiation, they may suffer physical harm. Someone exposed to extreme heat or a hot surface may suffer burns or scalding injury. Suffocation is another way a person may be injured in an industrial environment.
Repetitive Stress and Overexertion Injuries
The NSC reports that injuries resulting from overexertion and bodily reaction are most likely to result in missed work, job restriction, or job transfer. Overexertion may include repetitive motion or a single act of excessive physical effort, such as lifting, pushing, throwing, carrying, or holding.
Overexertion occurs when physical effort exceeds the worker’s ability. An object may be too heavy to lift, carry, or push. A worker may use improper form or may not have the needed protective equipment or tools. Rest breaks may be inadequate or inconsistent. The worker may not feel that they can stop to evaluate the situation if they think something is amiss.
Workers ages 45-64 are most at risk for overexertion and bodily reaction injury. The most common injury is to the back.
Other causes of injury and fatality in industry
Although not accidental, violence is also a leading cause of fatality on the job in North Carolina. In 2023, 17 North Carolina workers died because of violence in the workplace.
How Employers Can Prevent Industrial Accidents
Employers can prevent industrial accidents by evaluating the common causes of industrial accidents and taking the necessary precautions.
- Follow safety standards, including NC DOL Occupational Safety and Health requirements.
- Evaluate the workplace environment for dangers.
- Follow best practices for each task or operation.
- Provide time in the workday for inspecting equipment and taking rest breaks.
- Teach workers how to use equipment, what dangers to watch out for, and how to tag out equipment for needed maintenance.
- Create an overall culture of workplace safety.
- Provide personal protective equipment and other gear to help workers stay safe.
- Adapt to unusual conditions that may require changes in production.
- Investigate, document, and evaluate incidents when they occur. Make changes as necessary to prevent further harm.
- Accept feedback from employees about the workplace environment.
Industrial accidents hurt workers. They also cost employers work time and workers’ compensation claims. Employers can minimize the risk of industrial accidents with proactive measures.
Contact an Experienced Gastonia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you have been hurt in an industrial accident, we invite you to contact an experienced Gastonia workers’ compensation lawyer. Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, assist injured workers. Whether your injury is from a common or uncommon cause in the North Carolina industrial industry, you deserve justice. Contact us now.
