Power tools and other equipment used by professionals on construction sites are dangerous. Mistakes while using machinery and tools can result in severe traumatic injuries. Whether workers make accidental contact with another person’s body or drop a tool from an elevation, they can potentially cause disruptive or even career-ending injuries in the blink of an eye.
Tools and equipment make construction faster and less physically demanding, but they also put people at risk of injuries. Even without a tool making physical contact with a person, they can still cause injuries that affect their ability to work.
Vibration exposure harms the body
The vibrations produced by tools and equipment can cause damage to people over time. Gripping and using power tools can cause medical symptoms related to hand and arm vibrations. Working with or near heavy machinery can expose workers to whole-body vibrations.
Vibration injuries can reduce workers’ grip strength, cause nerve damage and impede work functions. In some cases, the symptoms caused by vibration exposure can leave professionals unable to continue their careers. Medical issues that affect their strength and range of motion may interfere with the performance of basic job functions. They may struggle to perform job tasks safely or may no longer be able to meet their employer’s performance standards.
Workers’ compensation benefits can help cover medical expenses and lost income if job-related medical conditions develop, even if there is no traumatic injury at issue. Filing a claim can be a difficult process, and professionals concerned about their finances may want to consider hiring a workers’ compensation attorney to support them during the evolution of a claim accordingly.