Working as a glazier in Missouri can expose you to tragic injuries and, in extreme cases, death. Here’s what you should know.
You climb blinding heights, lift, and mount heavy and sharp glass plates each day as a glazier. Unfortunately, this often exposes you to tragic injuries and, in extreme cases, death.
To avoid such incidents, it’s important to adhere to all work safety precautions. Let’s discuss some common glazing injuries and how you can pursue a work injury claim in case you suffer injuries while at work.
1. Slips, Trips, and Falls
Most glass fitting work involves braving heights to install glass panels. Unfortunately, a momentary distraction could make you slip, trip and fall, leaving you with broken limbs, a fractured spine, or permanent brain damage.
2. Cuts and Lacerations
Generally, glazing involves dismounting old glass panels and replacing them with new ones. Unfortunately, any mishandling of the architectural glass can result in superficial cuts and abrasions.
Also, if a broken glass finds its way to your neck, chances are it will leave deep cuts, which could lead to death if not attended to right away. Additionally, glass might penetrate through your limbs, causing permanent disfigurement or, worse, amputation.
3. Musculoskeletal Injuries
Other than accidental injuries, glaziers are vulnerable to ergonomic injuries. For example, while installing glass on tall skyscrapers, you may be forced to adopt uncomfortable working postures. This could strain your muscles and joints, leading to musculoskeletal injuries.
4. Respiratory Injuries
As a glazier, you may have to cut glass as part of your day’s assignment. Unfortunately, inhaling glass dust produced when cutting glass puts you at risk of lung diseases.
Additionally, cutting laminated glass may require you to use a methylated spirit whose fumes increase your vulnerability to complicated respiratory issues.
5. Skin Issues
Glazing involves the use of solvents, adhesives, and sealants. These materials may contain harmful chemicals such as silica, lead, or mercury. Continuous contact with these chemicals can lead to debilitating skin disorders such as skin allergies, dermatitis, or hives.
6. Eye Injuries
Grinding and cutting glass produces dangerous splinters. If the flying particles find their way into your eyes, they can cause severe damage to your eyes.
7. Occupational Stress
You may also suffer occupational stress due to the constant pressure and fear of falling from great heights, cutting, and handling expensive glass panels.
Preventing Injuries
With numerous construction projects going on in St Louis, glaziers will continue to face different risks. The best way to keep safe from these injuries is to familiarize yourself with potential dangers and adhere to safety measures. Safety precautions should include wearing personal protective equipment and proper use of glazing tools and chemicals.
Contact an Experienced Work Injury Attorney
While glass injuries take less than a second to occur, their effects can be felt for years. For this reason, if you’ve been injured while glazing, you are generally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
At the Law Office of James Hoffmann, we understand how stressful filling a successful work injury can be. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your rights after a work-related injury.