Common Causes of Manufacturing Accidents in Nebraska
October 26, 2023 | Accidents
Nebraska is the 16th largest state by land area in the US. It is located in the Midwestern region of the US and is the 12th most populous state. The state’s economy is largely driven by its thriving agricultural sector. Nebraska is one of the largest producers of agricultural products such as sorghum, beef, corn, wheat, soybeans and pork. Other prominent industries in the state include transport, manufacturing and information technology. Below, we take a closer look at the manufacturing industry in the state and common accidents that occur in manufacturing in Nebraska.
The Biggest Manufacturers in Nebraska
The bulk of Nebraska’s manufacturers are located around metropolitan areas. Some notable manufacturers in the state include:
- ABS Corporation
ABS Corporation, founded in 1961, is located in Omaha, NE. The company is a custom manufacturer offering its services to various industries including animal health, drug and dental industries. They are producers of a wide variety of products including health and beauty products such as oral drugs, dietary supplements, disinfectants, topical ointments and animal health nutrition.
- HTI Plastics
Established in 1984, HTI Plastics is a manufacturer that provides custom manufacturing services. The company manufactures products from a wide range of materials including resins and plastics. The company is also known for providing services in rapid prototyping, design engineering, machining, tooling and much more.
- Humboldt Specialty Manufacturing Co.
This custom manufacturer is located in Omaha, NE. The company was founded in 1978 and is offers contract services that include metal fabrication, product development, industrial sewing, custom assemblies and more. The company serves various industries including the automotive, medical, sports equipment, refrigerated trucking and toy industries.
- Fort Manufacturing, LLC
This company is one of the younger manufacturing companies in Nebraska. Established in 2018, the company is a custom manufacturing firm that provides precision CNC machining services to a wide range of industries. It is also known for providing services in coating, heat treating and surface finishing. It is located in Kearney, NE and offers services to industries including wood processing, medical and cold heading industries.
- Lindsay Corporation
This is one of the top manufacturing companies in Nebraska in terms of revenue. The company offers custom manufacturing services on contract to clients in a wide variety of industries. The company’s services include oxyacetalene and plasma laser cutting, angle processing, punching, CNC milling and much more. It was established in 1955 and is located in Omaha, NE.
Common Types of Accidents Employees Suffer in Manufacturing in Nebraska
While Nebraska relies heavily on the agricultural sector, its manufacturing industry is quite vibrant. The state is home to over 1600 manufacturing facilities which employ more than 100,000 workers. This is about 10 percent of the state’s workforce. These employees face a variety of workplace hazards daily that can lead to accidents or injuries. Some of the most frequent types of accidents in Nebraska’s manufacturing industry are listed below:
- Slip, trips and falls
These accidents are quite common in manufacturing facilities. They often occur rue to wet or oily floors, cluttered walkways, loose cords or inadequate lighting.
- Machinery accidents
Many manufacturing facilities in Nebraska feature large and heavy machinery and equipment. These equipment and machinery ought to be used only by employees with proper training and experience. The machinery and equipment should also be well maintained and safety precautions exercised when using them. Machine failure and human error can result in machinery accidents.
- Repetitive motion injuries
Workers on manufacturing floors may suffer repetitive stress injuries as a result of carrying out repetitive tasks. For example workers on assembly lines are at high risk of developing conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of their repetitive work. Employers are advised to rotate workers or limit work hours to avoid this.
- Exposure to chemicals or hazardous materials
Many manufacturers in Nebraska make use of a wide variety of chemicals and other hazardous materials in the production process. Employees are therefore at risk of being exposed to chemicals and hazardous substances. This can result in chemical burns, respiratory issues as well as other health problems.
- Struck-by or caught-between accidents
Struck-by accidents occur when employees are struck by moving equipment or objects. Caught-between accidents occur when employees are caught in between machinery or equipment parts. For example, an employee may be caught-between a forklift and the wall or may have their hand crushed in a machine.
- Fires and explosions
Flammable materials are a common feature in manufacturing facilities. The presence of these materials increases the risk of employees being injured in fires and explosions in the manufacturing facility.
Employers in the manufacturing industry in Nebraska are required by law to take the necessary precautions to mitigate risks facing their employees and prevent accidents. This includes providing adequate safety training, safety equipment, enforcing safety protocols, maintaining equipment regularly and creating a culture of safety awareness amongst employees. Despite this, accidents still do occur. When they do, it is important for employees to explore their options for recovering compensation. Schedule free consultation with us to learn more about how we can help.