Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Injured Textile Factory Workers

Let’s consider the many potential dangers of working in a textile factory and what you can do if you are injured on the job.

As of 2020, the United States textile industry employed about 529,600 workers. Working in a textile factory is one way to earn a decent wage and take care of your family. However, if textile factory workers aren’t careful, they face a number of risks on the job.

No job is completely safe from occasional dangers and safety hazards. However, working in a textile factory is a lot more dangerous than most people think. If workers don’t take the right safety precautions, they may easily become victims of these safety hazards.

In this article, we’ll consider the many potential dangers of working in a textile factory and what you can do if you are injured on the job.

Prolonged Standing

It’s common for textile factory workers to stand on the same spot for hours on end. Standing for so long on hard surfaces could lead to swollen feet that hurt when you walk. This is especially common if workers wear shoes that are too small for their feet.

Aside from swollen feet, prolonged standing also leads to other complications. Some of them include varicose veins, tendonitis, heel spurs, and knee problems, to name a few. It’s important that factory workers have easy access to sitting areas to prevent prolonged standing.

Prolonged Exposure With Cloth Fibers and Dust

Dust and tiny fibers are some of the most dangerous safety hazards to textile plant workers. That’s because when workers breathe in this dust and fibers, they irritate their respiratory system. This could lead to severe respiratory complications.

Workers may develop acute bronchitis because of fibers from cotton and wool. The situation is worse for workers who inhale asbestos, given its carcinogenic properties.

Mishandling Machinery

Factory workers handle all kinds of machinery during their day-to-day work activities. Mishandling these machines could lead to severe injuries. That’s why it’s important for factory workers to have adequate training to prevent accidents in the workplace.

Workers can also suffer from bruises, burns, and cuts. Although cuts may seem less serious, these injuries are potentially fatal when bacteria infect the wound. 

Overexertion

Factory workers work long hours to ensure that they meet daily and monthly goals. When these workers have too much on their plate, it’s likely that they will overexert themselves. Overexertion can lead to muscle injuries like muscle pulls and strains. Too much repetitive motion will also likely lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Staying Safe in the Textile Factory

Many of the dangers of working in a textile factory can be avoided by taking the correct safety precautions. However, accidents still can and do happen.

If you have been injured while working in a Missouri textile factory, get in touch with an experienced attorney at the Law Office of James M. Hoffman to learn more about your legal rights. We have over 30 years of experience and a proven track record of experience.