The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, No 130 of 1993

occupational diseases and injuries The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, No 130 of 1993

Occupational Diseases - Is Your Job Killing You Slowly?

In the late 1970s, the continent learned to associate the name Love Canal with chemical pollution and environmental diseases. Many more people became acquainted with the concept of environmental and occupational disease with the media - particularly the 2000 move, Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts. Despite the care about environmental illnesses, though, few people know the hazards on their health that lurk in lots of workplaces.

Occupational diseases tend to be more compared to a blip about the national health scene. In 1976, an investigation through the U.S. Congress reported that 100,000 people die of diseases and illnesses that came from their workplaces knowning that 390,000 people were clinically determined to have occupational diseases each and every year. And though lots of people could tell you what mesothelioma is and exactly how it absolutely was due to contact with asbestos on the job, couple of them know the way those things of a few corporations endangered the healthiness of a whole country. Even worse, not enough people possess idea that they're being confronted with toxic chemicals and hazardous substances at the office daily.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos might well be the top known toxic carcinogen encountered in the workplace. Today, you can find strict standards for safety and handling of asbestos, however for decades the asbestos industry hid its dangers from workers and also the general public. While the usage of asbestos is greatly regulated now, there is much asbestos employed in construction through 1979 that many workers encounter it at work regularly. Those at risk of exposure include emergency responders, renovators, construction workers, demolition workers and maintenance workers in older buildings. Anyone who comes into experience of asbestos ought to be taught to recognize asbestos containing materials along with procedures on safe handling. Unfortunately, there has been many cases where workers have been encountered with asbestos and asbestos containing materials with no training with out safety equipment. This is a violation of the law. Anyone who believes these folks were subjected to asbestos without correct training or safety precaution should make contact with a lawyer experienced in toxic tort cases for help in getting justice.

Benzene

Benzene is an organic compound that is a known carcinogen. It continues to be used being an industrial solvent, and is utilized in making rubber, in oil refineries and chemical plants, along with gasoline related industries. Those prone to benzene exposure include pesticides production, detergent production, solvent production, paint and varnish production, waste management, oil refineries, chemical plants, shoe manufacturers, and petroleum processing industries. Exposure to benzene has been implicated in many diseases of the blood, including acute myeloid leukemia, anemia and chromosomal abnormalities. OSHA strictly enforces workplace amounts of both long-term and short-term benzene exposure. Any employer who exceeds those levels is subject to fines and workers could be entitled to compensation for just about any damages.

Beryllium 

Beryllium can be an inorganic compound produced from minerals. It is employed in making lightweight metals, especially in the aerospace industry and also the nuclear energy industry, plus other industries that use lightweight, strong metals. Beryllium exposure could cause lung cancer, pneumonia along with other lung diseases. However, in 1-15% of the population who are responsive to the substance, experience of beryllium may cause Chronic Beryllium Disease, chronic inflammation in the lung tissues that may eventually be fatal.

There are numerous other toxic substances utilized in industry, from industrial solvents and detergents to ingredients in plastics to paints and adhesives. Workers are not always told that they are being confronted with dangerous compounds. If you or possibly a family member believes you might have been encountered with a toxic chemical at the job, an experienced toxic torts lawyer might be able to help educate yourself on the truth and acquire justice to your injuries.

 

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