Industrial Painters and Maryland Work Injuries
All types of painters can sustain on-the-job injuries, but industrial painters often perform some of the most dangerous painting work. According to the Finishing Trades Institute, industrial painters are responsible for stripping materials, preparing, and painting large structures “such as bridges, sports stadiums, wind turbines, buildings used as power generation facilities, high-rise offices, and warehouses.” They can also be tasked with painting slightly smaller structures on construction projects, but industrial painters are typically hired for large-scale jobs that require the use of cranes, scaffolding, and other tools and devices that allow them to perform their work many stories above ground level. In addition to working with large machinery and equipment, as the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) explains, industrial painters also perform the repetitive tasks of other residential and smaller scale painters, such as reaching, bending, and lifting.
What are some of the most common types of injuries affecting industrial painters? And can industrial painters obtain workers’ compensation benefits in Maryland? Our experienced Maryland workers’ compensation lawyers can tell you more about this particular type of work and how injured industrial painters can seek compensation through the Maryland workers’ compensation system.
Industrial Painter Injuries
Industrial painters must perform various job duties in preparing and painting large-scale structures. They often must use tools to prepare the surfaces of the structure for paint, which can include removing rust, contaminants, and more. Many of these surfaces also must be prepped with substances or coatings designed to prevent corrosion since the structures will be subject to the elements. Industrial painters may need to sandblast certain areas and apply chemicals, often at heights above ground level. After preparing structures for painting, industrial painters must then use heavy machinery and tools to prepare and apply the paint designed for the particular surface.
Given that industrial painters are often required to use heavy machinery to perform these tasks, and given that the tasks frequently are performed well above ground level, workers in this field are often at risk of injuries due to the following types of accidents:
- Falls from heights, including falls from cranes and from scaffolding;
- Struck-by injuries, including accidents in which industrial painters are struck by vehicles such as cranes or trucks; and
- Slips and falls, including those that occur on roofing or scaffolding.
At the same time, the duties of the job also involve the following accident and injury risks:
- Hazardous exposures, including exposures over time;
- Repetitive motion injuries; and
- Lifting and material handling injuries.
Seeking Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Maryland
In order for injuries associated with industrial painting work to be compensable, you will need to be able to show that your injuries arose out of and occurred in the course of your employment. In effect, you will need to prove that your injury happened while you were on the clock or performing a work-related task, and you will need to prove that your injury is linked to the work of being an industrial painter.
If you have any questions or need assistance determining your eligibility for Maryland workers’ compensation benefits, you should seek advice from a lawyer who can help.
Contact a Maryland Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you sustained a workplace injury while performing industrial painting work, your injury may be compensable through the Maryland workers’ compensation system. It is important to get in touch with one of the experienced Maryland workers’ compensation attorneys at the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC today to discuss the details of your injury and to begin the claims process. Contact our firm for more information about how we can assist you.
Sources:
bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/painters-construction-and-maintenance.htm#tab-2
ifti.edu/trade/industrial-painting-and-coating-industrial-painter/
