OSHA Protections for Workers Suffering from Chemical Exposure
The experienced Delaware workers’ compensation lawyers at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman focus their efforts on protecting workers’ rights to workers’ compensation benefits. You are welcome to schedule a free consultation at one of our offices in Wilmington, Seaford and Newark.
In September, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a two-year partnership with the American Chemistry Council (ACC) to raise awareness about how workers are exposed to harmful chemicals in the workplace, and to promote safe practices for their use.
Some of the harmful chemicals that will be addressed in the partnership include Isocyanates, which are the raw materials used to make polyurethane products for everyday uses such as insultation, car seats, foam mattresses, shoes and adhesives. When workers are exposed to isocyanates it can cause irritation of the skin, and mucous membranes, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing, asthma and other respiratory problems according to OSHA.
The partnership will include a web-based training program on how to use harmful chemicals safely, potential routes of exposures to users along with health and safety procedures for OSHA, On-site consultation and State Plan staff.
A story on the blog Confined Space, which covers workplace safety and labor issues, points out the fact that an estimated 50,000 workers die each year from occupational disease, which are mostly related to chemical exposure, and almost 200,000 workers are sickened. The blog post also quotes a story in the New York Times, America’s Toxic Workplace Rules, which uncovers the disparities between safety standards for chemical exposure in the workplace and the standards that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets for everyone else.
Delaware workers who have contracted occupational illnesses, have been injured from exposure to harmful chemicals may qualify for workers’ compensation. Workers must notify their employer of their injury or illness, seek medical attention, and apply for workers’ compensation. Delaware workers’ compensation covers the following:
- Partial wage-replacement temporary disability benefits
- Medical expenses related to the illness or injury
- Death benefits for workers who die in workplace accidents or from occupational illness
- Vocational rehabilitation services
- Additional benefits for scheduled losses and permanent disability
Employers have a legal obligation to provide their employees with a safe and healthy workplace. A worker should not be expected to sacrifice their health and safety to receive a paycheck. When employees are injured because of exposure to dangerous chemicals in the workplace, if the injury occurred because of a violation of OSHA safety standards, the employer can face significant fines and penalties.
The Delaware workers’ compensation program was put in place so that workers do not have to file a negligence lawsuit against their employer when they are injured on the job. The process can be complex, and if you find yourself in a dispute with your employer’s insurer, an experienced attorney from the law firm of Silverman, Mc Donald & Friedman is here to represent you.
When you have been diagnosed with an occupational disease, or you have suffered a workplace injury, contact the skilled Delaware workers’ compensation lawyers at Silverman, McDonald & now by calling 302-888-2900 or filling out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer in Wilmington, Newark or Seaford today.
Attorney Jeffrey S. Friedman joined Silverman, McDonald & Friedman in 2001. He graduated from Widener University School of Law, and is admitted to practice law in Delaware and Pennsylvania, and in several Federal Circuit courts. He areas of concentration include auto accident and workers’ compensation cases. Read more about Attorney Friedman here.