All businesses in Illinois come with their own set of implicit and explicit hazards, but machine shops are particularly dangerous. Knowing the potential hazards could be your best foot forward when it comes to mitigating or eliminating them. Here are some common machine shop injuries and how you could prevent them.
Cuts and lacerations
Cuts and lacerations can happen when you’re handling sharp tools or when debris flies up and hits your uncovered body parts. Always wear safety goggles and gloves when working with sharp tools to avoid this injury. Make sure to keep your work area clean and free of debris, and be careful when handling blades or other sharp objects.
Burns
This occurs when working with hot metals or when sparks fly up and hit you in the face. To avoid burns, always wear fire-resistant clothing while working with heat sources. Make sure to use caution when handling flammable liquids, and be sure to keep your work area well-ventilated.
Amputations
Amputations happen when a body part comes into contact with a moving blade or other sharp object. To avoid amputations, always wear gloves and long sleeves when working with moving parts. Keep your work area clean, and shut off power to any machine before attempting to service it.
What to do when you get injured at the shop
If you were injured in a machine shop, you may be able to file for workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill due to their job. Benefits can include medical expenses, income replacement and disability benefits.
To qualify for workers’ compensation, you must have been injured while performing your job duties. You must also provide evidence showing that you got the injury as a result of your work environment. If you’re denied benefits, or if the claim isn’t settled in your favor, you can appeal.
When you get hurt, report it and seek medical attention immediately, no matter how small you think the injury is. Your situation may get worse to a point where it can be difficult to heal, and you cannot claim workers’ compensation benefits without a doctor’s report.