Top 6 Common Workplace Injuries
In any work environment, the risk of sustaining an injury usually depends on the conditions of the workplace and adherence to proper safety protocols.
However, some jobs certainly pose more risks than others. Here are six of the most common workplace injuries sustained by employees, and what employers can do to reduce them.
If you are involved in a work-related accident, it’s important to talk to an experienced Lawyer right away.
1. Motor Vehicle Accidents
Inclement weather, faulty automotive equipment, and negligent drivers are hazards for those who drive as part of their jobs. People who spend time around moving vehicles are also at risk of being involved in a dangerous collision with a heavy vehicle.
Individuals who work in the construction industry, for instance, are at high risk of getting hit by a truck or tractor, while those working in warehouses could collide with a forklift.
Employers should always train employees who drive in defensive driving techniques and eliminate distracted driving to minimize the risk of an accident.
2. Slip-and-Falls
Wet floors, icy or uneven surfaces, poor lighting, debris, and unruly wires and cords all contribute to one of the most common workplace injuries: slip-and-fall.
Although many people don’t know it, slipping and falling can result in severe medical emergencies such as traumatic brain injury, broken bones, soft tissue damage, and damage to the spinal cord.
While slip-and-fall injuries can be severe, they are preventable.
Employers need to train their employees to clean up spills and debris when they occur, managers should address uneven floors and decks, and all companies should have non-slip mats in doorways and any other areas that could become slick from tracked-in rain or ice.
3. Falls from Heights
In the construction industry, falls are the number one cause of workplace deaths. Construction workers are at risk of falling from ladders, scaffolding, stairs, platforms, or any other raised areas.
Falls are usually due to poorly constructed structures and improper use of safety equipment. OSHA requires fall protection for workers who perform their duties at dangerous heights, but proper training on employee diligence on the employer’s part can also reduce these injuries.
4. Electrocution
When it comes to dangerous workplace injuries, faulty electrical outlets and exposed cords or electrical wiring are a recipe for disaster.
Workers who work around exposed wires like power lines and underground cables are at risk of electrocution. Employers need to make sure that all electrical hazards are properly identified and that employees are given warnings.
5. Overexertion
The most common workplace injuries often come in the form of overexertion. Lifting, pulling, shifting, holding, carrying, and throwing are all repetitive or strenuous exercises that can injure tendons, muscles, and ligaments.
The effects of overexertion are often lasting, and they range from chronic joint pain to lower back injuries and sprains.
Employers should train their employees, provide protective and assistive gear or equipment, and allow workers to take breaks.
6. Falling Objects
An object that’s been thrown or has come loose from a machine can cause serious or fatal injuries. Flying, falling, swinging, and rolling objects cause fractures, eye injuries, and internal organ damage from blunt-force trauma. However, the most common injury from falling objects is serious head injury.
These injuries can be prevented by stacking and storing equipment and materials safely, putting up warning signs, and enforcing the use of protective gear.
