Blue-collar professionals, including construction workers, maintenance professionals and those working in the industrial sector, often handle power tools and heavy equipment. These machines reduce the amount of physical labor required to perform job functions.
From saws and drills to nail guns, there are many tools that help blue-collar workers get the job done. Unfortunately, those tools can also injure blue-collar professionals, leading to lost time at work and medical expenses.
What are the main risks associated with power tools?
1. Vibration injuries caused by protracted use
Professionals exposed to hand and arm vibrations caused by power tools or whole-body vibrations caused by heavy machinery may develop various medical issues, including nerve damage, loss of grip strength and musculoskeletal symptoms. The longer workers handle power tools, the greater their risk of having a negative bodily reaction.
2. Accidental contact with tools
Professionals can injure themselves if they slip while using a power tool or make a timing mistake. Lacerations and other serious injuries are possible when workers accidentally make contact with their own bodies while using power tools.
3. Dropped tools
Coworkers can potentially injure one another with power tools. One worker might accidentally drop a drill, which can injure someone standing next to them. If one professional is at an elevation, such as on a roof or ladder, a dropped power tool can cause especially severe injuries to the people below them.
Regardless of how it occurs, a power tool injury related to employment may qualify a professional for workers’ compensation benefits. Reporting the incident at issue, and having support while seeking benefits, can make it easier for workers to recoup lost income and cover their medical bills.
