The manufacturing industry, and its workforce, is a major contributor to our state economies here in Illinois and Indiana. Chicago and Indianapolis each enjoy international reputations as national manufacturing hubs.
Indiana currently leads the country in manufacturing job growth. According to overall production, Indianapolis has the second largest manufacturing industrial sector in the United States. Chicago’s inland port provides a unique advantage to the metropolis’ growing manufacturing endeavors, where all sorts of products are produced, including industrial machinery, earthmoving equipment, diesel engines, chemicals, food products, candy confections, and automotive accessories. The industry is so involved in the Windy City’s efforts that Chicago recently ranked in the Top Three of the nation’s Top 10 Manufacturing Cities.
The Dangers Facing Manufacturing Employees
The business of manufacturing is defined within the Code of Federal Regulations as “any person who manufactures or imports a consumer product. A product is manufactured if it is manufactured, produced, or assembled.” 29 C.F.R. §1983.101(i).
Those working for a manufacturer here in Indiana or Illinois are defined as “…an individual presently or formerly working for, an individual applying to work for, or an individual whose employment could be affected by a manufacturer, private labeler, distributor, or retailer.” 29 C.F.R. §1983.101(h).
Essentially, all factory workers as well as others involved in the manufacturing process are employees of the manufacturing industry. This brings great risk of harm to these workers as it is the fourth most dangerous way to earn a living in Indiana and Illinois.
For more, read Factory Worker Accidents in Indiana and Illinois.
Manufacturing Accident Victim Advocates and Safety Agencies Warn of Workplace Risks
Safety agencies and those who advocate for manufacturing work accident victims and their loved ones understand the risks faced by anyone employed by a manufacturer, regardless of the product line being produced. People can be seriously hurt in many ways at any type of manufacturing facility, production factory, or plant.
Confined space hazards; forklift crashes; falls from scaffolds; assembly line accidents; and other factory dangers can cause catastrophic bodily harm or death to the worker within a matter of seconds.
For more, read:
- Confined Spaces: Asphyxiation Risks and the Tragedy of Rescuer Deaths
- Forklift Accidents: Serious and Deadly Industrial Truck Injuries on the Job
- Industrial Conveyor Belt Accidents in Illinois and Indiana
- Scaffolding Accidents in Indiana and Illinois.
Safety agencies like Illinois’ renowned National Safety Council work to inform through things like public awareness campaigns. Advocates for accident victims try to help grieving loved ones alongside the injured employee as they seek justice through state or federal legal claims for damages.
Both work in tandem to educate workers about the dangers they face on the job and how best to avoid being injured or killed while employed in the manufacturing industry. The better the worker is aware of the dangers faced on the job, especially the employer’s duties of care and safety legally mandated by law, the less likely a preventable accident will occur.
See, Dangerous Work Site: Your Right to Stop Work to Avoid Injury or Death.
New Survey: Manufacturing Workers Demanding Safety on the Work Site
However, a new survey brings great hope that workers may be safer on the job in the future through efforts being undertaken by the industrial workers themselves. See,”Inaugural Ansell Inteliforz™ Workplace Safety Report”, published by Industry Today on February 1, 2023.
A safety industry company named Ansell conducted a survey of both workers and “decision-makers” in the manufacturing and warehousing industries. This new Safety Report contains its published findings.
The good news? Almost every single worker believes it is “very important” that their employers do what is necessary to make their workplaces safe from bodily harm. It is an overwhelming stance: 94% of the employees shared this belief.
Even more importantly, the survey reveals that two-thirds of the surveyed workers consider the hazards of working in a manufacturing facility when deciding whether or not to take a job – or to quit. That number jumps even higher (82%) when the worker speaks from the experience of having suffered an on-the-job work injury.
The survey also reveals that these workers know of what they speak. Over half have seen on-the-job accident dangers present on the site on a weekly basis. And a significant number of those surveyed (20%) never get any weekly safety training. Most want employers to do more, not only in safety training but in purchasing and providing safety technologies and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
“As the workplace constantly evolves with new technologies, workers increasingly expect their employer to provide technological advancements when it comes to safety and injury prevention. Based on the survey findings, workers want and need to have a technology-supported safety culture that ensures every employee is fully trained and protected at all times.”
Manufacturing Worker Accident Victims in Indiana and Illinois
For advocates of workers hurt on the job and their families, bonds are formed. With these representations, a compassionate understanding is built and grows for all those who are severely hurt or suffer fatal injuries at work. Manufacturing accidents can be particularly horrific. Amputations, loss of use of a limb, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and paralysis may occur. Lives are lost. Families are devastated.
Manufacturing accident claims may be presented pursuant to the state workers’ compensation laws to help the victim and their families. However, an investigation into the incident may reveal additional legal claims against third parties who are liable for things like heavy equipment or machinery failures; improper inspection, repair, maintenance, or replacement of machinery, equipment, or tools; and insufficient worksite housekeeping.
For more, see:
- Who Can Claim Damages After a Work Accident in Indiana or Illinois?
- What are Legal Damages After a Work-Related Accident in Indiana or Illinois?
- The Two Main Differences Between Workers Compensation and Personal Injury Claims for Accident Victims in Indiana and Illinois
- Premises Liability and Workplace Accidents: Third Party Injury Claims
- Heavy Equipment Accidents on the Job in Illinois and Indiana
- Personal Protective Equipment and Serious Industrial Accidents.
Manufacturing in Indiana and Illinois is one of our region’s most important industries and sadly, also one of its most dangerous places to be employed. Hopefully, workers will be able to sway employers to respect their established duties of safety and care to their employees. Please be careful out there!
