Spring Cleaning & Workplace Injuries: What to Do If You Get Hurt on the Job

Many workplaces use spring as a time to clean house and reorganize. While most cleanups occur without incident, accidents can happen at any time. If you or someone you know was injured while cleaning, know that you have the right to file for workers’ compensation benefits while you recover from your injuries. Read on and discover the most common injuries you can experience during spring cleaning and the steps to take after an accident.

Common Spring Cleaning Workplace Injuries

Some common injuries workers experience during spring cleaning include:

Lifting Injuries

Deep cleaning usually involves lifting boxes, equipment, or other heavy objects. Picking something up incorrectly or carrying heavy items for too long could lead to strained back, muscle tears, or even hernias in more serious cases.

Thankfully, this issue is generally avoidable. When picking up something heavy, use your knees as support instead of your back or waist. If it’s still too heavy to carry on your own, ask another one of your coworkers to help you. These simple steps will help you stay safe and reduce your risk of injury.

Chemical Exposures

Cleaning products, especially industrial-grade ones, can be a safety hazard. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) claims that exposure to chemicals causes over 190,000 illnesses and 50,000 deaths in the US each year. These cleaners may also cause burns if you don’t use proper safety gear when handling them.

Slips & Falls

From wet floors to cluttered walkways, spring cleanups bring many safety risks to the workplace. Cleaners might also experience injuries from falling off ladders. These injuries are almost impossible to predict, but following basic safety procedures like using slip-resistant shoes or using “wet floor” signs can prevent these accidents from happening.

What To Do If You Get Hurt At Your Workplace

Even if you follow every safety procedure, some accidents are inevitable. Here’s what you need to do if this happens:

Report Your Injuries ASAP

You have 30 days from the date of your injury to report the incident to your employer. However, we recommend you notify your manager as soon as you can. This way, they can fill out the proper paperwork early, and you can avoid delays while filing for benefits.

Get Emergency Treatment

Getting emergency medical attention early ensures you get the treatment you need. Doctors will also give you a full evaluation to analyze the extent of your injuries. Any medical reports they do could serve as valuable evidence for your claim.

Seek Legal Advice

If you’re unsure how to file a claim, a workers’ comp attorney could walk you through every step of the process. They understand the ins and outs of the law and will ensure you have a strong case that shows the extent of your injuries. 

Our Workers’ Comp Attorneys Are Here To Help

Have you been injured as a result of a spring cleanup? Our Long Island workers’ compensation lawyers are to help. We’ve been helping injured workers win the benefits they deserve for over 25 years. If you have any questions or want to schedule a free consultation, please contact us at 855-208-7852 today.