When you go to work, regardless of what industry you are in, you have the right to be as safe as possible. Yes, there are some jobs that are more dangerous than others, but even in riskier industries, employers should work to ensure each worker is protected.
Studies recently released are showing some of the major dangers that pesticides pose for workers in certain industries. Particularly, they look at the agriculture, fishery, forestry, and food industries. Today, we are going to go over some of the respiratory illnesses that have been associated with pesticide use and its prolonged exposure.
Do you know where to turn if you have been exposed to pesticides or other chemicals in your workplace and become ill? At Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP, we want to make sure you get the care you deserve. You can count on us when you need a San Diego work injury attorney.
Some Quick Stats
Pesticides are used widely across many industries. These can include the following: herbicides, fungicides, bactericides, rodenticides, and insecticides.
- There are around five billion pounds of pesticides consumed annually.
- 1.7 out of 100,000 workers in the industries mentioned above get a pesticide-related illness.
What Is The Danger?
Workers can encounter pesticides at many stages of work: production, transportation, preparation, and application of pesticides. Agricultural workers often experience exposure to pesticides even when performing work not directly related to the application of pesticides.
Some common respiratory problems that can occur are:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Airway inflammation
Long-term exposure to pesticides can lead to:
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Lung cancer
Why This Happens
Workplace exposure to pesticides can be largely prevented. As this study suggests, “workplace safety behaviors are critical for preventing occupational pesticide exposure.”
Employers must take steps to keep their workers safe. This includes extensive training about the safe use and storage of all chemicals, including pesticides. It only takes a few untrained or undertrained workers to cause a bad situation for all workers.
Employers also need to ensure that workers have all appropriate personal protective equipment necessary for them to perform their job. There is no excuse for any company in California to not provide training and equipment to their employees, regardless of what industry they work in.
What Are Your Options?
We know that the last thing you expected was to sustain a respiratory injury due to exposure to a chemical or pesticide you were working around. You expected your employer to keep you safe. Instead, you are dealing with a life-changing incident.
When you need a San Diego work injury attorney, you can count on Hiden, Rott & Oertle LLP to be by your side. Our tea will work to secure the compensation you need for all of your illness-related expenses. This can include:
- Coverage of current and future medical expenses
- Lost wage recovery if you cannot work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Punitive damages
You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling our office.