4 Common Work Related Accidents and Injuries

According to the National Safety Council, a workplace injury takes place every 7 seconds. This equals 12,600 injuries a day and 4.6 million a year. Certain occupations have a higher risk of workplace injuries and accidents. These occupations include those in the service sector, such as fireman and policeman, manufacturing, and construction.

In reality, though, no matter what the occupation, if safety guidelines aren’t implemented and strictly followed, employees risk getting injured on the job. If you want to do everything you can from sustaining a workplace injury, you’ll want to know what types of injuries happen more than others and how these injuries can be avoided.

Read on to learn about four common work related accidents and injuries.

1. Overexertion Injuries

Any time you push your body over its limit, the chance of an overexertion injury increases. These types of injuries often happen to those who undergo repetitive motions, work in awkward positions, or lift objects that are too heavy. Common symptoms of overexertion injuries include fatigue and aches and pains in the joints and muscles.

Overexertion injuries can cause these chronic conditions:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendinitis
• Stress fractures
• Back and neck pain

Correct ergonomics are vital to prevent overexertion injuries. You also shouldn’t work too long without taking break or do a job that exceeds your physical abilities.

2. Slips, Trips, and Falls

One of the most common causes for slips, trips, and falls in the workplace is slippery working surfaces. Other causes include:

• Uneven flooring or carpeting
• Protruding nails or boards
• Leaks, debris, or other materials on the floor
• Bunched up floor mats
• Steps on stairways are not the same height

Some of the types of injuries sustained in a slip, trip, or fall accident include broken bones, fractures, head injuries, and spinal cord injuries. If the injury is severe enough, it can cause long-term medical complications and even disability.

To prevent these kinds of injuries, you should never walk on a wet floor, always wear slip-resistant shoes, never walk where it’s too dark, and use care when navigating stairs. If you see a safety hazard, such as a puddle of water or a piece of debris, alert a supervisor immediately.

3. Falls from Large Heights

A fall from a large height can cause life-threatening injuries. While other types of injuries often only affect a certain body part, a fall could injure the entire body. Some types of injuries sustained in a fall include:

• Head and brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Chest trauma including rib fractures and lung contusions
• Internal hemorrhaging

The best way to prevent these injuries is to use the proper equipment when working on heights. In certain instances, you may need to use a full-body harness.

4. Falling Objects

Falling objects can cause minor injuries, such as cuts and abrasions. However, the heavier the object, the more damage it can cause. Concussions and other types of injuries can occur. If an object strikes your face, it can even cause eye injury and vision impairment.

In order to prevent getting injured from falling or flying objects, you should always wear protective gear, such as hardhats and safety glasses. When doing overhead work, you should ensure that tools and other materials are properly secured. When cranes or hoists are being used, never work under a moving load and never exceed the lifting capacity.

If you have recently sustained any of these common workplace injuries, or any other kind of injury on the job, be sure to contact Walz Law Office. Our experienced workers compensation attorneys will do everything we can to ensure your claim is approved and that the settlement adequately covers lost wages and medical bills.