The Legal Implications

of Workplace Exposure

to Chemicals and Toxins

Employees have the right to work in a safe environment.

Chemicals and toxins in the workplace may place the health of

employees at risk.

The law protects the right of workers to know about chemicals

and toxins in their workplace. Therefore, employers are required

to provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) at the request of

their employees. These sheets provide descriptions of the level

of toxicity, health effects, and first aid procedures of particular

hazardous chemicals or products that contain such chemicals.

MSDSs outline the appropriate protocols that personnel should

follow in the use of protective equipment, storage, spill and leak

incidents, and disposal.

Depending on the individual case, the party legally

responsible for exposure to chemicals and toxins varies.

In some cases, the manufacturer of a product or a

supplier may be liable. Contractors or property owners

may also share legal responsibility.

When employees are harmed because of toxic exposure

at work, they often file workers’ compensation claims

rather than file lawsuits. In some cases, however,

employees may choose to file a suit against their

employer.

One such suit was filed by The Law Offices of Michael Papuc

on behalf of client Alexandra Nehra, an opera singer with the

San Francisco Opera Association.

Ms. Nehra claimed that the ephemeral mist produced by the

opera company’s fog machines led to asthma and other health

ailments during her 17-year employment.

In addition to bringing charges against the San Francisco Opera

Association for negligence and fraud, Ms. Nehra’s lawsuit also

named the manufacturers of the fog machines in the suit.

About Michael Papuc,

Attorney at Law:

With a legal career spanning 25 years,

San Francisco attorney Michael Papuc

provides a spectrum of legal services at

his firm, including employment law,

bankruptcy, and other areas of business

law. Prior to establishing his legal office,

Mr. Papuc’s group practice experience

included employment at Thornton, Taylor

& Downs and Kornblum, Kelly & Herlihy.

Michael Papuc earned his J.D. at the

University of California, Hastings

College of Law.

For more information about the services

provided by The Law Offices of Michael Papuc,

visit

www.sanfranciscobankruptcylawpractice.com.