What Are the Different Types of Industrial Plants?
If you are an employee at an industrial plant, there are dozens of opportunities for dangers or injuries that could be debilitating. Medical bills after these accidents can be astronomical and recovery may be lengthy. It is essential that you are aware of the dangers of working at an industrial plant and are conscious of the risk that you are taking by being employed at the plant.
There are a variety of different plants that you may work at, and each comes with their assessed risks. Below is a brief list of some of the various industrial plants that can be dangerous for employees.
Plastic Manufacturing Plants
Plants that manufacture plastics or create the chemicals to make plastic can be dangerous. Per OSHA, there are over 1.1 million workers in the plastics industry. Despite the fact that so many Americans work in this field, there are significant dangers to creating plastics in the processing phase, as well as when the plastics chemicals are raw materials. The OSHA says there is the danger for respiratory protection because of chemical exposure, the danger of abrasive wheel machinery, and combustible chemicals that need to be kept away from each other to avoid an explosion.
Nuclear Power Plants
Plants that deal with power and nuclear energy come with associated risks. The workers have the potential to exposure from dangerous radiation that can have long-lasting health effects. As well, radiation plants are often the site of reactor accidents, which happen when a system fails and causes a dangerous incident. Often, reactor accidents also lead to excessive radiation and can cause a worker to suffer a significant injury.
Oil Refineries
Oil refineries are locations where companies take their crude oil and refine it to meet federal regulations. These necessary refineries often employ thousands of workers. When the oil is heated, or there is a chemical reaction, the flammable materials can spark dangerous fires that are difficult to put out. This may lead to serious burn injuries or explosions that can cause blunt force trauma, fractures, and other injuries to employees
Chemical Plants
Much like plastics plants, there are many industrial plants that are primarily concerned with the manufacturing of chemicals that are used in a variety of different materials. Workers at these plants are at constant risk to chemical exposure of hazardous materials and can become seriously harmed by a leak. As well, chemical plants can often be at risk to an explosion if the chemicals that are manufactured are combustible. Workers must be aware of their rights when working at one of these locations.
Fertilizer Plants
Fertilizer contains ammonia, which is a hazardous chemical that can cause poisoning in workers. Fertilizer is combustible, so it can create a terrible blast if it is ignited. Most of the time, explosions at plants like the one in Waco start when a fire is ignited and comes into contact with the fertilizer. The explosion from one of these fertilizer plants can be far-reaching, leveling homes and devastating the surrounding areas.
Metal Manufacturing Plants
Metal manufacturing plants or steel mills can often be dangerous because of the heavy machinery used and the sparks/blasts from working the metals. Often, steel mills have giant furnaces, and workers are in charge of casting iron, converting ore into liquid iron, steelmaking, or product roiling. Along with the dangers of the furnaces and the sparks, there are often chemical hazards at these plants.
If you were injured in an industrial accident or an oil refinery incident, then you need to contact an industrial accident attorney at Arnold & Itkin LLP. We'll help you discover what your options are at no cost when you call (888) 493-1629.