Common Workplace Injuries
As an employee, you have a right to a reasonably safe working environment. This extends to everyone from those working in an office to construction workers and security guards. While the definition of “safe” will differ from one environment to the next, the law is unequivocal in insisting that you don’t have to take on unnecessary risks for the sake of a paycheck. According to statistics from 2010 provided by insurance companies, millions suffered from injuries while on the job that year, while more than 4,500 were actually killed.
Overexertion Injuries
Many people have jobs that involve a certain level of physical activity. Movers are a perfect example. These jobs may push workers to overexert themselves, which is an easy way to become injured. Pulling, pushing, lifting, carrying, holding, and throwing over and over is taxing on anyone, but even more so when they do it for 40 hours a week, years on end.
Slip and Fall
Another very common form of workplace injury is a slip and fall. Wet slippery floors are often the culprit here. Other times, wires, debris, or other objects may simply be left laying out where workers can easily trip over them.
Safety guidelines are usually in place to make sure spills are cleaned up in a timely fashion and walkways are kept clear. In some work environments, employees are also taught to keep their heads on a swivel. Still, unavoidable accidents can happen where the employer is to blame.
Falls from Heights
A different type of accident involves an employee falling from a height. People who work on roofs or scaffolding often fall and become injured. Those who regularly climb ladders or even stairs may also hurt themselves this way. Just like with the slips and falls mentioned above, proper gear and training can keep employees safe, but not all the time.
Reaction Injuries
Sometimes someone slips, but doesn’t actually fall. While they may have their reactions to thank for avoiding a more serious form of injury, that doesn’t mean they necessarily walk away unscathed.
Reacting to a slip can injure an employee’s muscles, traumatize their body, or cause a number of other medical issues.
Falling Objects
Someone doesn’t need to fall for gravity to leave them hurt. Many work environments involve heavy objects overhead. They can fall from shelves, scaffolds, basically any platform above the employee. Obviously, the heavier the object, the worse the injury is going to be. Also, even something like a hardhat doesn’t necessarily mean an employee won’t be hurt by this kind of accident.
Vehicle Accidents
If your job involves driving, one common workplace injury you need to be worried about involves the vehicle you use. Just like any other time you’re driving, traffic accidents can be devastating. Even if you’re driving the vehicle off-premises, if you get injured while on the clock, it qualifies as a workplace injury.
Machinery Entanglement
Working around heavy machinery can cause any number of problems. Machinery entanglement refers to an incident where clothing, shoes, hair or shoes become entangled in your workplace’s equipment. Unfortunately, one moment of entanglement can actually cause someone’s death.
Violent Acts
Unfortunately, sometimes workplace injuries are the result of one coworker attacking another. Office politics, long hours, professional competition, or jealousy and problems from outside the job can all lead to violent attacks occurring. Despite the fact that the attacker is obviously responsible, the employer can also be held accountable.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a workplace injury—even if it wasn’t mentioned above—you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a workplace injury attorney as soon as possible. You’ll want help filing a claim and possibly defending against an employer who doesn’t want to be held accountable.
Source:
- https://safetyblog.arbill.com/arbill-safety-blog/bid/160371/Workplace-Accidents-10-Most-Common-Workplace-Injuries
