There are many causes of harm to California employees. For example, some suffer injuries caused by repetitive motion over time while others may suffer a broken bone from a fall. Often overlooked is the potential for harm as a result of toxic exposure. Unfortunately, one out-of-state man was sent to the hospital after he was exposed to a dangerous chemical.
The investigation into the incident claims that the man, an employee of Heritage Thermal Services, was pumping hazardous wastes into a kiln when he began to feel ill and was taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, this is not the first incident involving the company in which employees were harmed due to exposure to hazardous chemicals. Three others were hospitalized after exposure in 2012.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recently released its findings following an investigation into the incident. It claims that, in the most recent incident, the victim suffered needlessly because the company failed to take proper precautions after the first incident. Specifically, OSHA claims that the company should have provided adequate protective equipment and training. OSHA has recommended that the company pay over $60,000 in penalties. Heritage Thermal has 15 business days to respond to the report.
While it appears that these workers felt the effects of toxic exposure immediately, some workers may not see symptoms until years later. Regardless of the circumstances, workers in California who are harmed while completing their job responsibilities are likely entitled to workers’ compensation insurance benefits. These benefits help injured workers cope with the medical bills and lost wages stemming from a workplace incident. In order to seek fair compensation, many workers request assistance from a professional with experience with the compensation process.
Source: norwalkreflector.com, “Service technician hospitalized after toxic chemical exposure at work”, Feb. 24, 2016
