Working in a warehouse often means performing physically demanding labor. You could be injured at any point by lifting too much or moving too fast. However, overexertion is not the leading cause of risk for warehouse workers.
Instead, the most dangerous aspect of working in a warehouse has to do with the very same machinery that companies purchase to take some of the strain off of employees.
The biggest risk is also the top warehouse safety citation
Warehouse workers are injured in all kinds of ways. Some develop a hernia while lifting. Others might develop an occupational illness because of chemical exposure due to what they store in their facility. However, of all the risk factors on the job, it is the forklift that people use to load and unload or lift items for storage that creates the most danger for employees.
Forklifts are heavy. The possibility exists for them to tip over in extreme weather conditions or when lifting something heavy. That could injure not only the person driving it but anyone else nearby. Forklifts can also pin someone in a dangerous way and cause crushing injuries.
Additionally, workers make mistakes when operating them as well, which is why forklifts lead the list of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s safety citations in warehouses.
Fault doesn’t matter when it comes to workers’ compensation
If you were injured while driving a forklift and were the one responsible for the incident, you might think you don’t have any rights. However, workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system.
It doesn’t matter that you contributed to the incident that hurt you unless you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time. You can still claim medical benefits and disability benefits even though some or all of the responsibility for your injury relates to your decision was yours.
If your employer has tried to deny your claim or right to benefits because of your role in a forklift injury, you may need to appeal to get the workers’ compensation benefits that you need. An experienced attorney can help.