News

A Guide on the Common Workplace Injuries

There are over two million workplace accidents and injuries in the U.S every year, which shows that it’s more common than you think.

Protecting employees at work is essential for their overall well-being and maintaining a good reputation. But, if you don’t keep on top of things, it can feel overwhelming to curate a safe work environment. Maybe that’s why you’re here; you want to learn about the most common injuries so you can prevent them.

Sounds like you? No worries, we’ve got your back. Here’s our guide on workplace injuries.

Slips, Trips, and Falls 

Out of all the workplace accidents,  slips, trips, and falls are the most common. This includes head, back, and neck ailments.

For instance, an employee may slip on a recently mopped floor or trip over a tangle of cables. Also, many workers even fall off ladders or scaffolding when they’re on construction sites, so encourage your team to be more aware of their environment.

You can also reduce the risk of these issues by good housekeeping, recommending proper footwear, and putting up warning signs if the floor is slippery.

Being Hit by Falling Objects 

Another reason why employees are injured at work is because of falling objects. These can be catastrophic as they can cause severe head injuries, stress fractures, and even broken bones. This is often a result of loose debris stored up on high or dodgy shelves.

Luckily, managers can prevent this by offering storage cages and reminding employees how to store items overhead safely.

Crashes or Collisions

Crashes or collisions can also affect workplace safety. As you can imagine, this occurs when team members are driving a motor vehicle and crash into another employee. Other reasons are if an employee falls from a vehicle or gets struck by an item that has fallen from above.

To prevent this, business owners should figure out where these accidents occur and make amendments. For instance, focus on the room’s layout and dedicate a pedestrian route so that they’re not in the vehicle’s path.

Electrocution 

Employees may get hurt at work by electrocution, especially if they’re handling machinery. The best way to prevent this is by covering any exposed cables and fixing faulty electrical outlets because they can be dangerous.

If there is anything that’s currently being fixed, employers should cordon off the area or hang a sign warning the team.

Overexertion and Muscle Strains 

Another way owners can start caring for employees is by preventing overexertion. Although it seemingly seems harmless at the beginning, repetitive movements can develop into long-term issues. Not only will it impact the individual’s physical well-being, but also result in a loss of productivity.

If you feel that this is a problem, make sure you offer team members regular breaks so that they can rest and stretch.

Exposure to Harmful Substances 

Employees who work around hazardous chemicals should follow extra safety precautions. Business owners should hand out safety data sheets and provide proper PPE (personal protection equipment) to ensure that everyone is safe.

Also, it’s wise to inform the team about potential bleach poisoning symptoms if relevant.

Struck Against Walls or Doors

Many workers get injured by accidentally slamming into a wall, door, or even a vehicle.

This is often because employees haven’t paid attention to where they’re going, especially as smartphones have become more prevalent. If this is a common occurrence in the workplace, make sure that the environment is clutter-free and stop employees from using the smartphone when they’re on shift.

Repetitive Motion Injuries  

Another common injury is repetitive motion injuries.

Note, this can manifest in back pain or even carpal tunnel syndrome, especially in factory settings. The most effective way to combat this is to schedule breaks and teach employees how to lift heavy objects properly. Business managers should also hand out PPE and provide adequate training, especially for new hires.

Violence at Work 

Although it’s less common, employees can be hurt because of violence. For instance, this includes an aggressive confrontation with a customer or a physical altercation in the workplace.

To prevent this, employers should set a zero-tolerance policy to cover anyone in contact with company personnel.

Entanglement 

Gears, cables, and other parts of heavy machinery can ensnare employees and injure them. This is often caused by loose clothing, dangling jewelry, and even long hair that should be tied up.

Employers should consider these issues and create a streamlined uniform that protects the team during work.

Fire and Explosions 

Evaluate the workplace and figure out whether there’s a risk of a fire or an explosion. If this isn’t prevented, your team members may suffer burns and even respiratory issues that could’ve been avoided. And although this workplace injury isn’t as common, it does have the most casualties, depending on how close employees were to the blast.

To prevent this, employers should display chemical safety data sheets and provide PPE to all employees. If you want to learn about how to prevent any of these issues, you can look here for more.

Everything to Know About Workplace Injuries

Now you know how to prevent these workplace injuries from occurring.

There are many common injuries that you can avoid, whether it’s slipping on a wet floor or being exposed to tangled wires. Luckily, employers can prevent this by going the extra mile with safety precautions and by consistently evaluating the workplace for potential hazards. Good luck!

Enjoyable read? Awesome! Then, check out the rest of our blog for more great tips.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button