Local Law Firms Home > Workers' Compensation News > Alabama Companies Attempt to Improve Safety OSHA researches estimate that over 32 million workers are exposed to dangerous chemicals every year. Additionally, there are over 650,000 different chemicals these workers may be exposed to. Some of the most common hazardous chemicals include benzene, cadmium, chloroform, mercury, nickel, and asbestos. According to David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, "Our continued Alliance with the Society for Chemical Hazard Communication will help ensure that workers are aware of the chemical hazards to which they may be exposed, and help reduce chemical-related occupational illnesses and injuries." The agreement they have entered into together is a two year agreement. They plan to produce industry presentations, webinars, and national safety and health conferences as a means of educating employers about the risks and methods of reducing exposure. Reducing exposure will lead to a decrease in workers’ compensation claims resulting from injuries caused by chemical exposure. This is the first time OSHA has entered into an alliance with another organization in an effort to reduce workplace accidents and injuries. OSHA has also formed alliances with labor unions, consulates, professional organizations, faith organizations, community organizations, businesses, and educational facilities. These alliances allow them to create compliance tools, resources, shared information databases, and an opportunity to educate employees and employers of their respective rights and responsibilities in regards to workers’ compensation claims. There are currently OSHA regulations in place to help limit and control the exposure of hazardous chemicals to those working in industries where chemical exposure may be common. For example, regulations have been put in place for laboratories and railroad companies. The exposure to dangerous chemicals in railroad workers was not immediately discovered until several railroad workers started suffering from apparent brain injuries. Did you know? Some studies suggest the number of work-related injuries caused by exposure to hazardous chemicals is as high as 390,000. Symptoms of hazardous chemical exposure includes nausea, dizziness, muscle cramps, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and diarrhea.
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