What You Should Know About Working With Hazardous Chemicals

The Short Answer:

Exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace can occur through inhalation, skin contact, or accidental ingestion, often due to inadequate safety procedures or lack of protective equipment. This type of exposure can lead to serious occupational illnesses, including respiratory issues, organ damage, and cancer. If you’ve developed a health condition as a result of chemical exposure on the job, you may be entitled to compensation. Reporting the exposure to OSHA, documenting your symptoms, and consulting with a lawyer can help you seek justice and hold your employer accountable.

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• Common Forms of Contamination: Chemical exposure often occurs via inhalation, skin absorption, or ingestion, especially in jobs involving industrial solvents, cleaning agents, or heavy metals.
• Specific Health Effects: Long-term exposure can cause neurological disorders, respiratory diseases, reproductive harm, skin conditions, and cancers.
• How to Prevent Exposure: Employers must provide proper training, personal protective equipment (PPE), and ventilation systems to minimize risk.
• A Lawyer Can Help: An occupational illness attorney can assist with filing claims, gathering medical evidence, and pursuing compensation for your injuries.
• Reporting to OSHA: Workers have the right to report unsafe chemical exposure conditions to OSHA without fear of retaliation.

What to Do Immediately After Chemical Exposure

If you’ve been exposed to hazardous chemicals on the job, taking the right steps quickly can protect your health and strengthen any future claim. Here’s what to do:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Even if symptoms seem minor, get checked out by a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Prompt treatment can reduce the risk of serious complications and create a medical record tied to the incident.
2. Document Your Symptoms and Exposure Details: Write down what happened, including the date, time, location, and type of chemical involved if known. Keep track of symptoms as they develop, no matter how mild.
3. Notify Your Employer Right Away: Report the incident to your supervisor or safety officer. Filing a timely internal report helps establish a record and can trigger an official investigation or corrective action.
4. Preserve Evidence: Take photos of the area, the chemical label, and any faulty equipment or safety violations. Save copies of safety data sheets (SDS) if available, and ask coworkers to document what they witnessed.
5. Follow Up on Your Medical Care: Attend all follow-up appointments and stick to your prescribed treatment plan. Keep a record of all visits, diagnoses, and medical expenses related to the exposure.
6. Contact a Lawyer to Help With Your Claim: An experienced attorney can help you understand your legal rights, file the appropriate claims, and fight for the compensation you may deserve after a workplace chemical exposure.

OSHA Requirements for Employers

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers are legally required to maintain a safe work environment, especially when hazardous chemicals are involved. These regulations are designed to prevent workplace illnesses and injuries and ensure workers are properly informed and protected.

Here’s what employers must do:

1. Provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS): For every hazardous substance used in the workplace, employers must supply accessible safety data sheets that detail the chemical’s properties, risks, and handling instructions.
2. Train Employees on Chemical Hazards: Employers must educate workers about the specific hazards of the chemicals they may encounter, including proper handling procedures and emergency response protocols.
3. Ensure Access to Proper PPE: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, respirators, goggles, or coveralls must be provided and maintained at no cost to employees whenever exposure risks are present.
4. Maintain Adequate Ventilation and Safety Equipment: Ventilation systems, emergency showers, eyewash stations, and other safety measures must be available and functional to limit exposure and support emergency response.
5. Keep Records of Chemical Exposure Incidents: Employers are required to document and retain reports of chemical spills, exposures, and any related injuries or illnesses, helping to track risks and demonstrate compliance.

By law, these standards are not optional, and failure to follow them may result in OSHA investigations, fines, or legal consequences. Workers have the right to a safe workplace and can take action if these responsibilities are neglected.

How to Report Unsafe Working Conditions to OSHA

If your employer isn’t following safety regulations or is exposing workers to hazardous chemicals without proper protections, you have the right to report those conditions to OSHA, and you’re protected from retaliation for doing so.

Follow these steps to file a complaint:

1. Gather Evidence of the Unsafe Conditions: Take detailed notes and photos of the unsafe area, chemical containers, missing safety gear, or any procedures not being followed. The more documentation you have, the stronger your complaint will be.
2. Choose How to File Your Complaint: You can report violations to OSHA online, by mail, fax, or by calling your local OSHA office. For serious hazards, calling may result in faster action. To file online, visit www.osha.gov.
3. Provide Detailed Information: Be specific about what you witnessed — the type of hazard, the chemicals involved, where and when it occurred, and whether anyone has been injured or exposed.
4. Decide Whether to File Anonymously: You can choose to keep your name confidential or file anonymously. However, providing your name may help OSHA investigate more effectively.
5. Know Your Rights: It’s illegal for your employer to fire, demote, discipline, or discriminate against you for filing an OSHA complaint. If retaliation happens, you can file a whistleblower complaint with OSHA within 30 days.
6. What Happens Next: OSHA will review your complaint and may open an inspection or investigation. If violations are found, the agency can issue citations and require your employer to correct the issue.

Reporting unsafe conditions not only protects your health, but it also helps protect your coworkers, too. You have the right to a safe workplace, and OSHA is there to help enforce that right.

How a Lawyer Can Help If You’ve Developed an Illness at Work

If you’ve developed a serious illness after being exposed to hazardous chemicals at work, an experienced occupational illness attorney can be a powerful ally. 

One of the first things a lawyer will do is review your work history and medical records to determine whether your condition is linked to chemical exposure on the job. This involves a detailed look at your duties, the substances you encountered, and the timeline of your symptoms or diagnosis.

From there, your attorney can guide you through filing a workers’ compensation claim, making sure all the necessary documentation is submitted correctly and on time. If your case involves a third party, such as a manufacturer of a dangerous chemical or defective safety equipment, your lawyer may also explore the option of filing a separate personal injury lawsuit. In either scenario, they’ll work to gather strong supporting evidence, including medical reports, expert opinions, and workplace safety records.

An attorney’s ultimate goal is to help you recover the compensation you may be entitled to for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs. With a legal professional handling the process, you can focus on your health while they fight to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Can You File a Lawsuit for Toxic Exposure?

Yes, in some cases, you may be able to file a lawsuit for toxic chemical exposure. While workers’ compensation typically bars employees from suing their employer directly, exceptions exist. You may be eligible to pursue a third-party lawsuit if:

• The chemical manufacturer failed to warn of the risks.
• Safety equipment was defective or improperly labeled.
• A contractor or non-employer caused the exposure.

Filing a lawsuit may allow you to recover damages that aren’t available through workers’ comp, such as full lost income and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. An attorney can evaluate your situation and advise you on the best legal path forward.

Contact The McMahan Law Firm for Help

If you’ve been exposed to hazardous chemicals at work and are now facing health challenges, The McMahan Law Firm is here to support you. We offer free consultations to help you understand your legal options and determine the best path forward. Whether you’re dealing with short-term symptoms or a life-altering diagnosis, our team will take your concerns seriously and work tirelessly on your behalf.

With a proven track record of success in occupational injury cases, we know how to build strong claims backed by medical evidence, workplace documentation, and expert insight. We’re proud to stand with Chattanooga workers and fight for those who’ve been put at risk on the job. You don’t have to go through this alone — reach out today to learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you may deserve.