Common Workplace Injuries for Factory Workers in North Carolina

A variety of industries thrive in North Carolina due to its access to raw materials (hardwood for gorgeous furniture and abundant substances for chemical plants), a highly skilled labor pool, and a business-friendly environment since NC boasts the lowest U.S. corporate tax rate. As a result, local workers can find themselves injured or seriously ill while performing job-related duties. It’s important to discuss some common workplace injuries for factory workers in North Carolina.

What Are Some Common Workplace Injuries For North Carolina Factory Workers?

Like workers across the United States, factory workers in North Carolina often face a variety of workplace dangers due to the physical demands and the complex machines involved in their work. Here are some of the more common workplace injuries sustained recently by NC factory workers:

• Musculoskeletal Injuries: Since factory workers often perform repetitive motions, awkward positions, or heavy lifting, they can be subject to musculoskeletal injuries like shoulder strains/sprains, tendonitis, or back injuries. Assembly line production workers handle similar materials repeatedly as part of their job duties and may see these injuries.
• Cuts and Lacerations: Workers often use sharp tools or materials like metal or glass, which can result in injuries to hands or fingers. Since North Carolina is the home to companies manufacturing products in industries like automotive, aerospace, electronics, and medical equipment, manufacturing plants are often hotspots for serious cuts/lacerations at work.
• Crush Injuries and Fractures: Workers can experience dangerous equipment malfunctions, falling objects, or, unfortunately, being caught in or between heavy machinery. Conveyor belts and forklifts in factories often increase this danger.
• Slips/Trips/Falls: Wet floors, uneven surfaces, and cluttered worker areas can result in a variety of injuries like ankle sprains or falls from platforms. Busy factory environments could also be areas where slip and fall injuries become more likely if floors are not kept free from liquids or become chaotic.
• Burns/Scalds: After contact with hot surfaces, electrical equipment, or chemicals, local workers can receive thermal burns. Such injuries often happen in food processing plants and chemical manufacturing companies. North Carolina metals and plastics industries employ a lot of North Carolina workers, who can also be exposed to potential thermal injuries. With global giants and specialized firms operating locally, burns/scalds happen.
• Hearing Loss: When workers experience extended exposure to loud equipment without sufficient ear protection, it can result in gradual hearing impairment/tinnitus. Locally, automotive, textile, and metalworking factories could have high levels of noise.
• Respiratory Issues: Without adequate ventilation or protective gear, workers can face inhalation of fumes, dust, or toxic substances. North Carolina has a rich history of furniture making and is often called the “Furniture Capital of the World.” Workers should be protected with appropriate gear to protect from respiratory problems and inhaling carcinogens.
• Eye Injuries: Local chemical plants where assembly tasks involve small particles note eye injuries like corneal abrasions or conjunctivitis. Exposure to chemicals or vapor and mist can be harmful to the eyes. Explosions with flying debris in manufacturing or industrial plants can contribute to eye injuries in the workplace.

With strong manufacturing sectors like furniture, textiles, automotives, and food processing, workers experience a variety of workplace injuries and illnesses.

What Should I Do If I Have Been Hurt at Work?

If you were hurt at work, you should report your injury to your North Carolina employer right away in writing. Your employer may have a healthcare provider designated for you to visit, and you can also file a workers’ compensation claim through the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) by completing NCIC Form 18.

If you have questions about the claim filing process or your legal rights, it is important to consult with a lawyer who focuses on North Carolina workers’ comp law. An experienced NC attorney can help discuss your legal options when you have been hurt or become ill at your workplace.

FAQs

Q: How Many Workers Report Commonly-Occurring Injuries Annually?

A: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in North Carolina, private industry companies reported 68,600 nonfatal workplace injuries/illnesses in one year. Of those 68,600 reported cases of injury and illness, 40,900 were of a serious nature that required days off from work, a job transfer, or restrictions for working while recuperating. Manufacturing had the highest rate of reporting, with sprains and cuts being the most reported injuries.

Q: Do Any North Carolina Regulations Help Prevent Common Workplace Injuries?

A: The North Carolina Department of Labor assists with enforcing national and local OSHA safety standards, but compliance varies. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of reported injuries and worker fatalities in the United States has decreased by more than 60 percent in the past four decades since the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed. OSHA provides helpful general information about how to develop a workplace safety program to protect workers.

Q: What Is the Most Common Injury Suffered by North Carolina Construction Workers?

A: The most common cause of injuries for North Carolina construction workers is slips, trips, and falls. Construction sites are hotspots for serious injuries, especially if they are not supervised properly. However, appropriate safety training, fall protection equipment, and safe scaffolding and ladders can help reduce the number of serious falls in our area. If you have been hurt on a construction site, consider contacting a trusted attorney to discuss your legal recovery options.

Consult Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler to Discuss Commonly-Occurring Injuries in North Carolina

Our attorneys have handled many cases of workers hurt while performing their job-related duties at work. If you have questions about injuries that local workers often experience, please contact an attorney at our office to answer your questions.

Our law firm is right in the heart of Charlotte, and we are near Midtown and Uptown. Our office has convenient access to I-277 and is also close to mass transit, such as the Charlotte Area Transit System and the LYNX Blue Line.

Contact Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler to set up an initial consultation with an attorney right away.