If you earn your living as an auto mechanic or technician, you’re well aware of the potential risks of injury. Whether you work for a repair shop, dealership or an automaker, your employer has an obligation to maintain a safe environment.
That means training people in the proper safety protocols and enforcing them. There are a lot of flammable and hazardous substances around that need to be correctly labeled, sealed and stored. It also means ensuring that everyone has the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include protective eyewear, masks, respirators and gloves, depending on the job being performed.
Common injuries in this line of work
Some of the most common injuries for those who spend their days working on vehicles include:
- Eye injuries
- Burns (caused by chemicals and fire)
- Slip or trip-and-fall injuries
- Muscle tears and strains
Even experienced car buffs aren’t immune to suffering serious injuries. You may have heard that comedian Jay Leno recently suffered serious burns to his face, neck and hands while working on one of his many classic cars.
Don’t hesitate to seek workers’ compensation
Nearly every employer in Oklahoma is required to provide workers’ compensation benefits to its employees. Workers’ comp is intended to cover the costs of medical treatment and to replace a portion of the wages lost by an employee who has to take time off of work while they’re healing. It can also help those who suffer permanent or long-term injuries that prevent them from working (or at least returning to the same job). It can help surviving family members of those who suffer fatal workplace injuries.
If you’re having difficulty applying for or being approved for the workers’ comp benefits you need and deserve, or if you’re having challenges with any part of the workers’ comp program, it’s smart to seek experienced legal guidance.