As a blue-collar worker, your body is one of your primary tools for work. If you get hurt, it will be much more difficult than usual for you to fulfill your job responsibilities. The more significant your injury is, the bigger the impact it will have on your work.
In the case of a fracture or broken bone, workers may not be able to continue performing the same responsibilities they usually do on the job. You could suffer a work-related broken bone due to a fall, a machinery malfunction or a traffic collision that occurs on the clock. What happens to a blue-collar worker when a broken bone means that they can’t perform their usual job responsibilities?
You can ask your employer for accommodations
Whether you break your collarbone, your wrist or your leg, you will need to rest that body part until the bone itself and the surrounding tissue have a chance to heal. You may also need to go through physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion.
Until you heal enough to return to the same job function without risk of injury, you may need your employer to help you. You could request accommodations such as a place to sit so that you don’t have to stand, a different function on the assembly line that doesn’t require that you use your broken arm or even a temporary transfer to an administrative position.
If your employer can keep you on the job without incurring hardship, they should do everything in their power to help you continue working after an injury.
You may need to take a leave of absence while you heal
If your employer doesn’t have work suitable to your current medical limitations or if you’re injury prevents you from fulfilling any of the roles available at the company, you might not be able to work until you feel better. An extended leave of absence may be necessary until you recover enough function to perform your job responsibilities safely.
The average broken bone takes between six and eight weeks to knit. Certain bones may take longer than others, and factors like your age, gender and medical background can also affect how long healing takes.
You will likely require workers’ compensation benefits if you need medical care and time off of work. That way, you won’t have to worry about the cost of your treatment and you will have at least some income to support yourself with until you can get back to work.