Chemical Injury
This section is about chemical injury and chemical poisoning. Read on to find out about types and causes of injury, and making chemical injury claims.
What is a chemical injury?
A chemical injury occurs where someone is exposed to a hazardous substance, either in the atmosphere or through direct contact with the skin. According to the government, every year thousands of workers are made ill by hazardous substances which cost millions of pounds to industry, society and the individuals affected.
Chemical injury victims may experience long-lasting and disabling conditions as a result of a chemical injury or chemical poisoning. These conditions can include both physical and psychiatric conditions, depending on the type of substance they were exposed to and the length or severity of the exposure.
Chemicals that can cause injury might include fumes, dusts, vapours, mists, gases, biological agents, and germs used in laboratories. There are guidelines on dealing with these chemicals in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations of 2002. Substances such as lead, asbestos, and radioactive substances have their own specific regulations designed to prevent them causing chemical injury.
Employers’ duties in preventing chemical injuries
Chemical injuries and chemical poisoning can lead to debilitating and painful conditions, so every industrial employer should be aware of the potential risks and make sure that, wherever possible, chemical injury is prevented from happening in the first place.
Employers of those who handle potentially dangerous chemicals in the workplace must be particularly vigilant in matters of health and safety in order to prevent chemical injuries and chemical poisoning incidents within the workplace.
Chemical injury risk assessments
Risk assessments should be carried out regularly by employers to identify any safety issues which could be potential causes of chemical injury, and to discuss working practices with staff to make sure all reasonable practical measures are being taken to pre-empt accidents which may otherwise lead to chemical injuries.
Employers should be well aware of the side effects associated with different types of chemical injury so they can spot them in employees if they become affected by chemicals in the workplace.
Making chemical injury claims
If an employer fails in their duty of care towards emoployees’ health and safety, and an employee suffers chemical injuries or chemical poisoning as a result, the victim may be entitled to chemical injury compensation. Chemical injury claims can help cover the costs of any medical treatment needed, and reimburse you for lost wages if you've had to take time off work to recover. Call us today or claim online to find out more.
