Have You Been Exposed to a Toxic Substance in Your Workplace?

Many jobs require workers to handle toxic substances. Others simply put workers in the way of toxic substances as a part of the job. In any position where toxic substances could be present in the work environment, employers are held to a strict set of safety standards published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A toxic substance is defined as any substance that can cause harm to a human being if it is inhaled, touches the skin, or enters the body through one of its orifices. Toxic substances can lead to serious health complications, sometimes resulting in a premature death. If you have been exposed to a toxic substance in your workplace, you could be entitled to compensation for your losses through a workplace injury claim.

Probably the most well-known example of a toxic substance present in the workplace is asbestos, a mineral compound that was extensively used as an insulator for the bulk of the twentieth century. When asbestos is ground into powder, it can be inhaled and cause mesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the lining around the body's internal organs.

Other examples of toxic substances that an individual might face in his or her workplace include:

• Lead;
• Mercury;
• Carbon monoxide;
• Soot;
• Acetone;
• Hydrogen peroxide; and
• Radiation.

OSHA has guidelines available to help you minimize your exposure to toxic substances in your workplace. Some strategies can be used to minimize your exposure to only certain types of substance, while others are applicable across the board. Examples of strategies you can use to prevent illnesses caused by toxic substances include:

• Wearing adequate face protection when handling toxic substances;
• Taking off your work clothes at your workplace at the end of your shift, showering, and putting on clean clothes to go home. This will prevent carrying toxins into your home on your clothing;
• Rotating employees' jobs so no one is constantly exposed to toxins; and
• Regularly testing your workplace's air for airborne toxins.

Discuss the importance of correctly handling toxic substances with your employer and your colleagues and impress proper safety procedures upon them.

If you have been exposed to toxic substances in your workplace, you could be at risk of developing a health problem like mesothelioma. You might also now be dealing with the result of toxic exposure years or even decades ago. In any case where your health has been adversely affected because of your employer's failure to keep toxic substances out of the workplace or safely contained, you could be entitled to a workplace injury claim. Learn more about filing this type of claim with help from an experienced San Jose workplace injury attorney by scheduling a legal consultation with our team at Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. today.

• Chemical Hazards and Toxic Substances