Top 5 Causes of Warehouse Injuries in Santa Clara County

 Posted on June 02, 2022 in Workers' Compensation

More and more people are doing the bulk of their shopping online rather than in a brick-and-mortar retail store. This has resulted in warehouses and order fulfillment centers popping up everywhere. These centers can employ hundreds of people and often have high turnover rates. A high percentage of warehouse employees are new to the job and may not have received adequate training in safety practices.

Anyone who has spent time working in a warehouse or order fulfillment center can tell you that safety training is essential when you are working in an enormous building filled with rows of products stacked to the ceiling. It is no surprise that workplace injuries are not uncommon in these locations. If you are injured on the job, you are likely entitled to financial help through Workers’ Compensation. An attorney can help make sure that you receive the full amount of compensation you deserve. 

What Are Some Common Causes of Injuries in Order Fulfillment Centers?

Accidents that occur in order fulfillment centers tend to fall into one of a few categories, including: 

• Falling objects - One of the biggest risks in warehouses is getting hit by a falling object. Items are often piled high, and heavy items may be stored on high shelves. When a stack of items falls, often due to an attempt to retrieve an item, the situation can be life-threatening. Head and neck injuries are very common in falling-product accidents. 
• Heavy machinery - Forklift accidents happen all the time in this type of work environment. Nearly ten thousand workers are injured by forklifts each year, and that number is likely to increase as more and more order fulfillment centers are created. 
• Electric shock - Badly designed wiring that does not meet OSHA standards, including temporary wiring, is one of the leading causes of warehouse injuries. Hurried workers may not spot the danger inherent in substandard electrical wiring. This can result in electric shock, but it can also cause deadly fires. 
• Slips, trips, and falls - One of the problems with warehouses is that they are often filled to the brim with products piled everywhere, including in places where employees are likely to trip over them. Spills may occur, causing workers to slip. Falls from a height are also a risk, as employees are often asked to climb ladders to retrieve top-shelf products and carry them down.
• Chemical hazards - Chemicals and other hazardous materials are not always well-marked, and employees are not always given appropriate protective equipment. This can result in chemical burns, respiratory harm, or even fires and explosions. 

Warehouses are often dangerous workplaces. If you suffer an injury, it is important that you contact an attorney promptly so that they can get the ball rolling on getting you compensated. 

Call a Santa Clara County Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Cramer + Martinez is committed to helping injured workers get compensated. Our skilled team of Morgan Hill Workers’ Compensation lawyers will take on the task of pursuing compensation so that you can focus on healing. Contact us at 408-848-1113 for a free consultation. 

Source:

https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/3220_Warehouse.pdf