Philly Workplace Safety: Five Hidden Risks You Should Be Aware Of

When Philadelphians go to work each morning, most aren’t thinking about the possible dangers that can occur at the workplace. 

Five surprisingly hidden dangers in some Pennsylvania workplaces include slips, trips and falls, burns, chemical exposure, ergonomic injuries, and clutter.  

I slipped and fell during my work shift. What do I do?

Falls remain one of the most common causes of workplace injury and death in the US. In 2023, 25 percent of all fatal workplace accidents in Pennsylvania involved slips, trips, or falls. Pennsylvania’s rate of fatal workplace falls was higher than the national average (17 percent).

If you or a coworker do happen to slip or trip from:

• A spilled substance, such as a floor cleaning product, an opened liquid retail item, such as a juice box or laundry detergent, or a mismarked or lack of a “caution” yellow sign for slippery flooring.
• A cord, box, clutter, or pothole in a parking lot.

Then you may have a viable slip-and-fall injury case on your hands if serious injuries were sustained. It’s best to speak with a local personal injury attorney who has experience handling workplace slip-and-fall cases. 

I burned my hand while working. Can I pursue a personal injury claim?

Say the word “burn,” and most people think of thermal burns, the kind caused by high heat. Yet, these are only one type of burn that workers can experience.

• Chemical burns caused by caustic substances can also occur in workplaces. 
• Electrical burns are common in areas where hazards such as overloaded circuits, frayed cords, or faulty equipment are present. Friction burns can occur as well.

A worker can burn their hand, arm, face, or other body part while performing work. The degree of a burn often determines the treatment plans. It’s best to be evaluated by a medical professional to determine the best course of recovery.

Burns are often painful, expensive, and difficult to treat, and leave lasting scars. Preventing burn injuries in Pennsylvania workplaces is essential. Regularly inspecting electrical equipment, properly storing flammable materials, and never multitasking when handling hot objects or chemicals are important.

When this doesn’t happen, or other negligence is at play, and a worker is seriously injured, pursuing a personal injury burn claim may be possible. It’s best to discuss the details of the incident with an attorney to see if you can pursue not only a workers’ compensation claim, but also a personal injury claim. They can sometimes go hand in hand, with different approaches when crafting a compelling case.  

Chemical and Biological Exposure

Those who work in manufacturing, construction, custodial jobs, or farming are well aware of the risks of chemical exposure. These workers often undergo extensive training to handle the chemicals they encounter daily on their work sites.

• In an office environment, printer ink, cleaning supplies, and other chemicals can contain harmful substances. Exposure to these chemicals can cause skin irritation, breathing problems, and other injuries or illnesses. 
• Buildings without proper ventilation can make these problems worse, trapping chemicals in the same spaces employees use for work. 

Biological hazards can cause problems as well. From the common cold to black mold, biological contaminants fill our environments. Germs spread rapidly in office environments, where many people may touch the same items or surfaces. Keeping hands and surfaces sanitized can help reduce the spread of illnesses at work. 

Ergonomic Injury Risks

“Ergonomics” is the study of how to build tools, furniture, and other useful items that conform to the way our bodies naturally move. The goal is to reduce repetitive stress injuries, as well as one-time injuries, by reducing how often we force our bodies into unnatural positions. 

Poor ergonomics are commonly associated with job-related injuries, especially in office settings and other environments where workers perform the same task or set of tasks repeatedly.

Equipment and furniture that encourages poor posture can also lead to injuries, chronic pain, and other issues that both harm workers and decrease productivity. Adjustable equipment, proper training, and similar tools can help reduce the risk of injury from poor ergonomics. 

Clutter

Have you ever heard the saying “a messy desk is the sign of a genius mind”? Whether your desk reflects your thoughts or not, one thing is true: Clutter at work may raise the risk of an injury. Clutter can accumulate in walkways, which may increase the risk of slips and falls. Accidentally colliding with boxes or other stacks of materials can result in injuries. Even cluttered desktops can make it easier to get injured when you reach for an item, only to have others fall or cause harm.

Contact Our Workplace Injury Lawyers at MyPhillyLawyer Today

Although you may not necessarily have a personal injury claim from just clutter, it’s best to discuss the details of your workplace incident so that the attorney can determine if negligence or negligence from a third party was present. 

If you’ve been injured on the job and suspect negligence caused your serious injuries, talk to an experienced Philadelphia workplace injury lawyer today. The team at MyPhillyLawyer is here to help. Call us today at (215) 227-2727 or fill out a contact form to get started.