VWB Blog According to the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), there are at least 15 reported workplace fatalities daily. A huge difference compared to the 80’s and 90’s when there were at least 38 reported fatalities every day.
The end goal is to get these numbers down to zero workplace injury cases. But to do this, it’s important to first know the most common workplace injuries and tips on how you can avoid them. Read on to find out:
Collisions and Crashes
Collisions and crashes usually occur when operating mobile machinery or when driving motor vehicles. Additional injuries that may happen in this category include falling from a moving vehicle and operating heavy machinery under the influence. Other reported cases include being hit by objects falling from an overturned vehicle, being stuck under the rubble after a crash, and more.
To stay on the safe side, it is always advisable to put on your seat belt and observe all the set employee safety protocols whenever you want to drive a vehicle or operate motorized machinery.
Accidental Falling of Objects
Loose parts of a machine could fall off and strike a worker by accident. A sharp edge or a building under construction are additional hazards that could lead to accidents. Common injuries include
- Severed limbs
- Bruised hands
- Severe head injuries
- Blindness
- Stress fractures
- And more
To minimize the extent of injury, employers should ensure all machinery are properly guarded and frequently maintained to tighten any loose parts. Safety attire such as worker’s boots, proper eyewear, and reflective or protective garments also come in handy to improve visibility and avoid accidents. Employees are also encouraged to stay aware of their surroundings and follow all the set safety rules.
Tripping, Slipping, and Falling
Most trips, slips, and falls happen when no warning signs indicate that the area is slippery or hazardous. Such injuries may also occur owing to poor flooring and the lack of proper attire when working on a construction site, warehouse, or office building.
OSHA has set some guidelines in place to ensure these workplace accidents don’t happen. Some of these guidelines include proper signage, proper lighting, and covering unused holes. Injuries from slip and fall accidents are the most common injuries in workers compensation claims. Employees injured at work should be given adequate compensation and recovery time.
Muscle Strains, Twisting of Joints, and Over-Exertion
At first, it may seem like a mild joint twist or muscle strain. You take a short break and resume working after the pain subsides. What you don’t know is that most injuries that go unchecked can have lasting consequences. What’s more, repetitive overexertion could lead to chronic pain and eventual loss of productivity.
Injured employees should be checked by a doctor as soon as the accident occurs. It also goes a long way for the employer to teach workers proper lifting techniques and to invest in machinery that helps make moving heavy loads faster and easier.
Now You Know the Most Common Workplace Injuries
Knowing the most common workplace injuries at your particular facility is the first step to preventing accidents at work. Employees should also be trained on how to properly use machinery and the facility at large.
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