What is Industrial Law?
Industrial Law relates to the laws governing industrial
enterprises. These can include a wide range of legal topics, from
employment laws to environmental concerns, contracts, industrial
relations, and worker safety regulations. Industries vary widely and the
policies for each is as unique as the business to which it relates.
Employment and Labor Issues
Employment and labor laws are relevant to any commercial enterprise,
and industry is no exception. Indeed, industrialization led not only to
the modern conveniences of our technological age, but also the rise of
organized labor unions. Employment and labor issues in industrial
enterprises are particularly important, given the often hazardous nature
of the work.
Industrial Accidents
Another major area of concern to industrial laws is accidents.
Industrial workplaces vary widely depending on industry and purpose,
from the clean rooms of high-tech manufacturing, to the often dangerous
and noisy welding floors of heavy industry. Factories, warehouses,
chemical plants, refineries, and many other facilities may also be
considered industrial workplaces. Common industrial accidents include
forklift accidents, falling objects, slips, trips, and falls, machinery
or equipment injuries, explosions or blast injuries, and chemical burns
or inhalation. Industrial accident injuries can often be more severe
than other workplace injuries given the nature of the work. Indeed,
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is estimated that two
out of every 1,000 industrial workers will lose their life from a
workplace accident. As a result, personal injury laws are a major area
of practice related to industrial laws.
OSHA Regulations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) monitors
workplace safety conditions, including in the industrial sector.
According to OSHA, many of the top violations resulting in citations are
given to industrial workplaces. Common problems include communication
hazards, lack of respiratory protection, poor electrical design,
inadequate or disabled machine guards, and improper or unlicensed use of
powered industrial trucks.
Other Areas of Industrial Law
As with any business, there are numerous other areas of legal concern
for those in the Industrial sector. These can include contracts, real
estate questions, shipping and distribution, environmental concerns, and
many others.
If you have questions about Industrial Law, feel free to review the
materials below on this page. Additionally, for further assistance, you
can contact an attorney by visiting our Law Firms page and finding a
lawyer in your area.
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