How to Avoid the 6 Most Common Workplace Injuries

Jun 28, 2019 | Workplace Injury

Workplace injuries are common and can range from minor discomfort to death. While employers are partially responsible for keeping their employees safe, your well-being is also dependent on you.

Read on for the top 6 workplace injuries and what you can do to avoid them.

1. Basic Workplace Injuries: Slips, Trips, and Falls

Falls were listed as OSHA’s top-cited injury in past years. Injuries from slips, trips, and falls can range from mild to severe.

The most effective ways to prevent these types of injuries are to make sure that your work environment is clean and dry, that the floors are well kept and well lit, and that employees are wearing proper footwear.

It’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings as your walking, especially when you’re carrying or pushing something that could obstruct your view.

2. Explosions and Fires

Explosions and fires occur more often due to facility malfunction than employee misconduct. So besides obeying protocol when handling explosive or flammable material, it’s important to know what to do if a fire happens in your workplace.

Make sure you’re aware of fire evacuation routes from every room in the workplace that you frequent. Wear protective clothing, eyewear, and gloves when working with potentially flammable or explosive materials.

3. Transportation Injuries

One of the most common workplace injuries is related to travel or automobiles. You can get injured while working on the road in a construction zone or injured while driving.

One of the best ways to avoid auto injuries is to obey speed limits, drive defensively, and stay alert. If you’re in a construction zone, keep a safe distance from the road and be alert at all times.

Because automobile injuries are often more severe, we always recommend contacting a lawyer who specializes in car or trucking accidents. They can guide you through the legal process so you will be compensated fairly for your medical bills, insurance claims, loss of wages, and more.

4. Overexertion

Sometimes, all it takes is one heavy lift in the wrong position, without proper lifting gear to pull a muscle in your back or neck. Injuries like these are referred to as “overexertion”.

Make sure never to lift anything heavier than you can safely carry. Always wear a back support brace. And if you are injured, seek medical help immediately.

5. Respiratory Hazards

Many occupations pose a risk of inhaling dangerous chemicals or substances. OSHA defines those risky substances as “air contaminated with harmful dust, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors.”

Serious respiratory harm and even death can occur if you’re repeatedly exposed to these things without protection.

Employers are required to provide respirators when there’s a risk of inhaling dangerous chemicals or substances. Your job is to actually wear them.

Don’t be tempted to remove your mask or respirator for the sake of ease or comfort!

6. Repetitive Stress Injuries

Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) are caused by doing the same action over and over again which can lead to eventual harm and injury.

This includes mild cases like hand muscle strain from typing at a desk in the wrong position. But it can stretch to back pain caused by repeated heavy lifting.

One of the best ways to combat RSIs is to take frequent short breaks from repetitive work. You should stretch, move from your regular position, and rest.

Remember This

There are important things you can do to prevent workplace injuries, but sometimes accidents still happen.

If you need a personal injury lawyer or help with worker’s compensation then contact us today! We’ll start with a FREE consultation and then aggressively pursue your case.