When you're at work, you should be able to focus on your job and get it done safely. However, some things can happen that make work dangerous. So what are the most common workplace accidents? Let's take a look.
Slips and Falls
The most common type of workplace injury is a slip, trip, or fall. This can be caused by spillage, water on the floor, ice, snow, or other slippery surfaces. The most common cause of falls is wet floors.
If you're in charge of cleaning up spills in your workplace, then make sure that you use adequate cleaning products and wear protective clothing such as boots and gloves so that you don't end up injuring yourself trying to clean up an accident someone else has made!
However, your employer should have ample signs and ways of notifying you of any slippery surfaces on their property. They are at fault if your employer fails to alert you of slippery surfaces!
Vehicle Accidents
Vehicle accidents are the most common workplace injury and often result from distracted driving. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), in 2015, there were 599 unintentional motor vehicle deaths per 100,000 full-time workers in the United States. Of these fatalities, more than half resulted from a driver failing to control his or her vehicle. Employees should be aware of the dangers of distracted driving and take steps to avoid it:
- Avoid texting while driving.
- Turn off your phone when you're behind the wheel—even if you're stopped at a light!
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times; don't let yourself get lost in thought while at the wheel—you never know what could happen next!
Falling Objects
Falling objects can cause serious injuries, including head and spinal cord injuries. Falling
A variety of factors cause falling objects:
- Improperly stored loads on forklifts or pallet jacks
- Overhead loads that have not been adequately secured to the roof structure of a vehicle or structure
- Failure to properly secure material on pallets before transport (including using inadequate strapping materials)
Overexertion Injuries.
Overexertion injuries are caused by doing too much lifting and carrying, digging, pushing, pulling, or other such strenuous activities.
The most common causes of overexertion injuries include:
- Lifting heavy objects
- Carrying items in awkward positions (such as slinging a bag over your shoulder)
- Overreaching when standing on a ladder or roofing materials
Muscle Strain
Muscle strain can be caused by overusing a muscle and affect your back, neck, shoulders, and legs. A muscle strain happens when you use a muscle beyond its normal range of motion or force it to contract for too long—it's like pulling a rubber band too tightly.
Muscle strains often happen after lifting heavy objects or doing something that requires repetitive motions over time (like lifting boxes).
Muscle strains are prevalent among workers who do construction work or work with machinery that requires bending over or reaching overhead (like painters). However, don't downplay your injury if you work in an office.
Employers that overwork or create unsafe working conditions through excessive demands create a recipe for muscle strain. Even something like carpel tunnel is a severe train that can impact your work and personal life.
Slusser Law Firm is here to help with a consultation when you call (570) 405-9953. We want to help you seek the worker's compensation you deserve.