Working in an industrial environment exposes employees to a wide range of dangers. Even the most experienced industrial workers can have a workplace accident, which occasionally leads to serious or even fatal injuries. Fortunately, an Illinois state worker is expected to recover completely from the injuries he sustained while working at a Department of Transportation service depot. The man was burned in the industrial accident and required treatment at a local hospital.
The incident occurred on a recent Friday morning when a piece of equipment exploded that is used for patching pavement. When the local fire department responded to the scene, the equipment was on fire. They doused the flames within 10 minutes and contained the hazardous materials that leaked, including hydraulic fluid and patch mix, to prevent runoff. A local hazmat crew was dispatched to the scene to clean up.
The injured employee, who is a seasonal worker for the Illinois Department of Transportation, was transported to a medical center by the fire department. His condition was not reported. No other injuries occurred in the explosion or its aftermath. The incident is currently under review by the Department of Transportation.
The man, his family and his co-workers are undoubtedly relieved that he is expected to make a full recovery from his burns. However, he may face medical expenses and lost wages as a result of the industrial accident. Under Illinois law, he is likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits that can help him overcome these hardships. Any compensation he receives from these benefits can alleviate his financial burdens, allowing him to focus completely on recovering and returning to work as soon as possible.
Source: pantagraph.com, “IDOT worker burned in accident at Towanda,” Phyllis Coulter, Jan. 18, 2013
