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Shelving and Racking Injuries Can Be Serious

Many people work in environments where they need to stack shelves or racks, climb ladders, and retrieve items from height. They operate in areas as varied as libraries and warehouses as well as offices and supermarkets.

Typical injuries that occur out of shelving and racking accidents include falls from ladders, muscular injuries from overreaching or lifting heavy weights and accidents caused by falling items.

If you have suffered an injury because of an accident either stocking or retrieving items from a shelf or rack, or because you have been injured while operating in an area where such infrastructure is in place, then you may be able to claim compensation.

Types of Shelving and Racking Accidents

Employers have a legal duty of care to ensure that their employees are safeguarded when going about their work. That may include having set regulations in the workplace to reduce the potential for accidents and injury and ensuring that employees have the appropriate tools and protective gear to do their job effectively.

The types of accidents that we commonly see when it comes to shelving and racking injuries include:

  • Those caused by poorly maintained or constructed racking or shelving.
  • Accidents caused by falls from height from equipment such as ladders and scaffolding.
  • Injuries caused by falling objects from badly stacked or racked shelves.

In areas like large warehouses, shelving and racks can reach several metres in height and working on them is arduous and potentially dangerous. Another common injury we see comes from poor moving and handling practices – for example, someone must grab a heavy package at an awkward height and move it down a ladder which can potentially cause muscle tears and spinal injuries if not done properly.

In particular, accidents in commercial and industrial operations, because of the nature of the materials that they deal with, can lead to major accidents including loss of limbs, severe spinal injuries and head trauma. Even in more sedate locations such as supermarkets, injuries can occur when employees are not given the right equipment to stack high shelves.

How to Claim for a Shelving or Racking Accident

If you have an accident in the workplace that has left you with an injury, the chances are it is because the right safety procedures were not followed, and your employer could therefore be at fault. If your injury is serious, it could mean that you have to spend time out of work, are unable to earn money or are left with a long-term disability that impacts your daily life and prospects.

It can be daunting to contact a solicitor. Most of us rarely do it during our lifetimes. If you have suffered an injury because of an accident at work, however, it’s critical to sit down with an experienced solicitor and discuss what you should do next. The team at Personal Injury Lawyers Birmingham will listen to your experiences and give you their expert advice on whether you can make a claim. Contact our specialist team today.


By: Accinet
Title: Shelving and Racking Injuries Can Be Serious
Sourced From: www.accinet.co.uk/shelving-and-racking-injuries-can-be-serious/
Published Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2022 07:53:07 +0000