Every day, thousands of workplace injuries happen in the United States. In fact, there were 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries in 2019 alone.
To prevent workplace injury, you have to know what to look for. Certain industries and workspaces require additional safety measures and attention.
Read on to learn about the most common workplace injuries. Explore five common injuries that warrant an employer’s attention. Also, this guide will dive into the topic of preventing work injuries.
1. Falls
Daily, American workers are slipping or tripping in the workplace. It may even happen in the parking lot on an icy day.
In some cases, the floor is wet, and employees slip. Workers often trip over a piece of equipment or another hazard.
The best way to prevent these types of injuries is through diligence and warning signs. Wet areas should be blocked off, and employees warned of danger. Also, it is advisable to inspect the workplace for tripping hazards frequently.
2. Overexertion and Bodily Reaction
Many injuries and workers comp insurance claims are due to overexertion and a negative bodily reaction. This type of physical injury commonly occurs when lifting or pushing equipment.
For instance, an employee lifts a heavy item and throws out his or her back. People routinely hurt their back or neck when turning or throwing items.
An effective way to avoid these injuries is by identifying and labeling heavy items. A two-person lift label, for example, helps avoid injuries.
3. Transportation Accidents
Many workplace injuries occur when operating vehicles and other power equipment. This injury type includes commercial drivers that are involved in accidents on the road.
It also involves collisions that occur with a heavy lift or towing equipment. Accidents on the road are inevitable and sometimes beyond our control.
The best way to prevent this injury type is by encouraging defensive driving. Another helpful strategy is to reduce the pressure on drivers to meet deadlines. They can focus on safety without speeding or recklessly driving to meet a deadline.
4. Exposure to Harmful Substances
Not all workplace injuries are of the physical variety. Many workers are exposed to harmful substances and have adverse reactions to them.
In fact, nearly 37,000 people fall victim to this workplace injury each year. It may manifest as a rash, severe allergic reaction, or even illness.
5. Workplace Violence
There are tens of thousands of cases of workplace violence. Sometimes, this occurs when two coworkers are involved in a physical conflict.
In other cases, it occurs when an animal attacks an employee. Regardless of how the violence occurs, the employer may be considered negligent if it happens on their property.
A Recap of the Top 5 Most Common Workplace Injuries
Most people consider workplace injuries to be rare. However, they occur more frequently than people realize.
While workplace injuries are common, they are still preventable. By learning what injuries are commonplace, you can take measures to avoid them from happening.
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