According to surveys, 144 workers died of workplace injuries in 2015-2016 and 621,000 workers reported non-fatal injuries, equating to an astonishing 4.5 million estimated working days being lost. These data reflect that workplace can be an extremely hazardous place and it becomes the responsibility of both the employer and the employee to ensure a safe working environment and take precaution on the job.
As the popular saying goes, “being forewarned is to be forearmed”, so
Here’s a list of most common workplace injuries that will occur no matter what industry you’re involved in:
Slips, Trips, and Falls
This can happen in any work setting, whether it’s an office lobby or a warehouse floor. If the slippage hasn’t been cleaned up properly, it’ll often lead to surface falling and injuring the employee. So putting warning signage or other such messages are necessary to make the individual aware of the surface which he’s walking on.is necessary to make the individual aware of the surface which he’s walking on.
Overexertion Injuries
This mainly includes injuries related to pulling, lifting, pushing, holding, carrying and throwing activities at work. Overexertion is the most common workplace injury according to the statistics.
Falling Objects
Whether it’s an object falling from shelves, dropped by someone from a height, or unsecured items on a work site, serious injuries can take place as a result of items falling from a height. Head injuries are most common due to these types of accidents. Using proper protective gear can be instrumental in keeping the employee safe.protection gear can be instrumental in keeping the employee safe.
Vehicle Accidents
Employees who drive for business or driving includes in their nature of work are often injured in road accidents. Employee safe driving training and employer safe driving policies are likely the most important steps need to be taken for preventing accidents.
Machinery Indulgence
This type of injury often takes place in a factory where heavy machinery and equipment are used. Generally, clothes, shoes, fingers, and hair are the areas where no precaution is taken while at work and that leads to serious injuries. Protective equipment and attention to personal details are necessary to avoid these accidents.
Walking Into Injury
This injury usually happens when a person accidentally runs into a concrete wall, glass windows, cabinets, table, chair, etc. Employee’s diligence and employer focus on keeping the work environment free from hazards are the keys to preventing these injuries.
Burn Injuries
Whether it be a chemical burn in a laboratory, overheated equipment of a shipping yard or a result of hot oil in the busy kitchen, burns of varying degrees occur across a variety of industries. This is why treatment of burn injuries are a major part of any first aid kit in workplaces because burns are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
With increased technological advancement, growth in computer-based jobs can be seen over the past few decades. Though this advancement has made the work easy for people but it has increased the growth in (MSD) musculoskeletal injuries. It might be from typing or by using a mouse. It occurs due to the constant motion of joint. This is why regular breaks at the workplace are advised.
Accidents are not always necessarily happening due to the mishap from a busy worker. Many of these accidents take place due to the negligence of the employee or the employer. Although there’s no shortage of ways people can injure themselves at work, employers can put in place proper safety mechanism to prevent their employees from any avoidable harm.