The Workplace Injury Risks Faced By HVAC Workers

CBS Miami News 4 recently reported that the Vice President of an air conditioning company and another HVAC worker had to be hospitalized after falling through a hole in the roof of a Doral company. Both men had to be taken by air rescue following the morning accident which required the help of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. The men were reportedly involved in relocating an air conditioning unit when decking in the area of the food distribution company they were working in came loose.
Who Are HVAC Workers and What Do They Do?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, who are more commonly known as HVAC technicians, work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings. Due to the varied nature of this industry, HVAC workers can work in homes, schools, hospitals, office buildings, and factories.
What Kinds of Injuries Do HVAC Workers Face?
Working with an HVAC system is a physically demanding job and it can be a very dangerous one. The wide variety of workplace environments that HVAC workers find themselves in, unfortunately, places them at significant risk of a workplace injury because these injuries can occur in so many ways. Because HVAC workers face risks every day, it is important to be educated about the most common HVAC worker injuries. HVAC workers face injuries such as:
- Heavy lifting strains. HVAC workers do a lot of heavy lifting routinely as they have to do everything from removing heavy older equipment to installing new equipment in its place – and they are often doing this alone. This can easily cause strain in multiple areas of the body that can affect the worker in both the short and long term.
- Shoulder and neck injuries. Similarly, the physical demands of the job can lead to shoulder and neck injuries that can cause lasting physical damage if left untreated. While it may be tempting for workers to ignore this kind of pain, it is important to seek medical help as early as possible to help ensure the problem doesn’t worsen.
- Exposure-related injuries. Especially in circumstances where proper safety measures are not undertaken, HVAC workers face exposure-related injuries from coming into contact with electricity as well as exposure to harmful gases and chemicals.
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured While Working in the HVAC Industry?
When an HVAC worker is injured, it can have severe implications that affect both the injured worker and his or her family. As devastating as the injuries themselves are, high medical bills and time spent away from work can also cause significant damage and strain just like the injuries. However, Florida workers are generally entitled to obtain workers’ compensation benefits after being injured at work during the scope of employment and you need experienced legal help to help you minimize your personal difficulty resulting from your workplace injury. The Miami workers’ compensation attorneys at Payer & Associates have helped many people in similar situations and are available to help you obtain the benefits that you deserve. Begin by contacting us today.
Resource:
miami.cbslocal.com/2019/02/28/two-injured-after-falling-through-roof-in-doral/
https://www.payerandassociates.com/what-you-should-do-if-you-suffer-a-workplace-facial-injury/