Anyone who enters a workplace is unknowingly exposed to a wide range of chemicals. Most chemicals are visible or release an odor or that allows you to see signs of danger. You have to act properly after being exposed to toxic chemicals to protect your health and the safety of coworkers.
Reduce Your Exposure
If you discover that you’ve been exposed to a toxic chemical, remove yourself from the source of this exposure immediately. Leave the site of exposure, which could be at home, work, or in a public space. If that’s not possible, reduce the exposure using various tools and techniques.
Wear personal protective equipment that includes masks, gloves, or aprons. While wearing the equipment, avoid touching the chemicals or directly inhaling the fumes. Maintain a distance as far away from its source as possible.
Report the Exposure
If you feel dizziness, nausea, or other symptoms after being exposed, contact an ambulance or firefighter right away. If the symptoms are mild and not life-threatening, finish your work shift and make an appointment to visit a doctor.
If the problem is not serious, contact a supervisor, manager, or owner where the toxins are present. The supervisor should work immediately to remove the toxic chemical. In addition, report the problem to a higher authority above your manager, such as the OSHA. The OSHA allows you to file a report about a health and safety violation, fatality, or hospitalization.
Contact a Lawyer
You may not want to, but consider contacting a lawyer, such as Brogdon Firm, The, to sue the employer or business owner where you were exposed to the toxins. In some cases, the employer is directly responsible for your harm and failed to administer proper safety techniques in the workplace. In other cases, your employer’s employer, such as a government agency or corporation, is responsible for undermining the safety of hundreds of employees.
Gather Evidence
Lack of evidence is one major reason why many personal injury cases are dismissed. After suffering from a workplace incident, collect and preserve evidence that you have. Do not wait for your employer or lawyer to gather the evidence on your behalf. If you’re exposed to deadly fumes, visit a doctor and retain your medical bills and reports.
Employees are required to work in all kinds of harsh conditions. However, there are some dangerous chemicals that no person should be exposed to for short or long periods of time. Should you suffer any reaction to this exposure or see negligence, you should pursue litigation to prevent the incident from occurring again.
Author information: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.
