Much like construction workers in Georgia, electrical line workers are exposed to major job-site hazards that put them at a greater risk for serious injuries or even death on the job, compared to most other workers. If you have suffered injuries on the job in Georgia while working as a utility field employee or construction worker, contact our workers’ compensation lawyers at Rechtman & Spevak today for legal help. You may have grounds to file a workers’ compensation claim in order to pursue financial compensation for your injuries, medical bills and lost wages.
Utility Line Workers at Risk for Injuries, Death
The following are six reasons electrical line workers are at a greater risk for job-site accidents than employees in most other industries:
- They often work alone –
Not only can working solo be stressful, but it can also be dangerous, since no one is spotting you or watching out for errors that may put you at risk for a workplace accident. Working overtime and not getting enough rest can also expose workers to a greater risk of injury or death on the job.
- They work from heights –
Slips and falls make up a majority of job-site accidents reported to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and present a serious problem for electrical employees who work from heights.
- They are exposed to high voltage –
Electrical line workers are exposed to high voltage on a daily basis, while dealing with transformers and other complicated electrical equipment, and line technician employees actually require more on-the-job training than most workers in the construction industry. Most field workers are required to use personal protective equipment like flame-resistant clothing, hard hats and eye protection, and others may be expected to use flame-resistant masks and face shields.
- They are exposed to extreme temperatures –
Field workers are constantly dealing with environmental factors on the job, and employees in some parts of Georgia face temperatures reaching up into the 90s in the summer, when they face risks like heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and temperatures getting down into the 40’s during the winter, when they have to worry about cold-related illnesses.
- They have to be physically fit –
Performing overhead and underground utility line work can be extremely strenuous, and many workers in this field suffer sprains and strains affecting their back, shoulders, elbows and knees.
- They must use hand protection –
All employers in the electrical utility field are required to provide workers with hand protection to shield them from hand injuries caused by exposure to high voltage and other inherent job-site hazards.
Contact Our GA Workers’ Comp Lawyers Today
If you have been injured on the job in Atlanta, or if you lost a loved one in a fatal job-site accident in Georgia, consult our knowledgeable attorneys at Rechtman & Spevak to discuss your legal options. Our law firm is located in Atlanta, and our workers’ compensation lawyers have years of experience protecting the rights of injured workers and their families throughout the state of Georgia.