Common Office Toxins
Some jobs are notorious for involving exposure to potentially dangerous substances: construction, mining, agricultural work, and so on. However, even jobs that are generally considered low-risk can involve certain concealed hazards. For example, the average office may contain many different chemicals that are potentially hazardous to workers’ health.
A disease caused by repeated exposure to certain toxins is known as a cumulative injury, and it can sometimes be grounds for a workers’ compensation claim. To learn more about your legal rights as an injured employee, call the New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. at 800-346-5529.
Hazards in the Office
Potentially dangerous chemicals need to be handled very carefully in an office. Because most workers in this kind of field stay indoors eight to ten hours a day, they are especially vulnerable to airborne toxins. In addition, air conditioning systems can spread the fumes from a spill or accident throughout a floor or an entire building very quickly.
Some chemicals found in many officers that can potentially be dangerous include:
- Industrial countertop, carpet, and furniture cleaners
- Strong perfumes or colognes (for workers with allergies)
- Paint and/or paint thinner, especially during renovations
- Bacteria or viruses from poorly stored food, infected co-workers, etc
- Pesticide, which may be used to prevent building infestations or to protect office plants
Under the law, employees have the right to work in a reasonably safe environment. If you believe your workplace is needlessly and illegally dangerous, our New Jersey workplace injury attorneys can help you determine what to do next.
Contact Us
The workers’ compensation system is meant to protect all eligible employees from severe financial loss following a workplace injury; unfortunately, it does not always work ideally. If you are having difficulty with a claim, contact the New Jersey workers’ compensation attorneys of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. at 800-346-5529.
