There are very few, if any, consumer products in New York that are made without the help of some worker. In most cases, some person is responsible for at least one aspect of a product’s production, processing or transportation.
In many cases, people risk their lives to ensure that consumer products are made and shipped correctly. Some people deal with heavy machinery, for example, while others handle dangerous chemicals.
People may not think of food production as particularly dangerous, but it can be. For example, many foods are flavored with artificial chemicals to enhance their taste. These chemicals can pose safety threats to the workers that prepare these foods.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, artificial flavoring chemicals can cause long-term and serious health problems for food industry workers. One such issue is with lung disease. Long-term exposure to these chemicals can cause airway obstructions. It often starts gradually with a cough, shortness of breath or fatigue. These symptoms can linger even when the person is away from work. In serious cases, these symptoms do not improve with medical treatment.
Another health issue is chronic irritation. Workers who have worked with liquid flavorings and other similar chemicals report issues with irritated eyes, nose and throats. In some studies, up to 80 percent of workers have reported issues with irritation.
It is important for New York workers to understand all potential threats in the workplace. OSHA has adopted many safety regulations in order to help reduce the threats posed in the workplace. New York workers also need to know how to respond when one of these threats causes a workplace injury. An attorney can help workers better understand their rights.