A workplace injury can have serious consequences, both physically and financially. To ensure that your rights are protected throughout the workers’ compensation process, it is crucial to get the assistance of an experienced Work-Related Injury Lawyer.
Any workplace can be dangerous, this is especially true in an industrial environment. There are numerous factors that can cause accidents, as well as a multitude of variables that contribute to an incident in the workplace.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of the most common causes of accidents in the workplace. With the top three accounting for 84% of non-fatal injuries on the job.
1. Lifting, Overexertion, and Bodily ReactionMany employees are prone to sprain, strain, or tear a muscle by lifting an object that is too heavy for them to lift on their own.Overexertion and bodily reaction injuries include:
- Non-impact injuries: Result from excessive physical effort directed at an outside source; common activities include lifting, pushing, turning, holding, carrying, or throwing
- Repetitive motion: Microtasks resulting in stress or strain on some part of the body due to the repetitive nature of the task, typically without strenuous effort such as heavy lifting
2. Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slick floors and high-traffic corridors can easily cause a trip or fall. Improper footwear may also contribute to these accidents, which not only can result in injuries but also workman’s compensation-related cases.Slips and trips can also cause injuries without actually falling. These injuries occur when a worker catches himself or herself from falling due to a slip or trip and can happen in the following scenarios:
- Falling on the same level; includes tripping, slipping, falling while sitting, and falling onto or against object on the same level
- Falling to a lower level; includes falling from a collapsing structure, falling through surfaces, and falling from ladders, roofs, scaffolding, or other structures
- Jumping to a lower level, which is different from falls because they are controlled and voluntary
3. Contact with objects or equipmentThe Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that enforces workplace safety regulations. OSHA’s safety rules and regulations cover machinery and equipment.While most employers follow regulations and recommended guidelines for inspecting and maintaining equipment, there are some who overlook maintenance schedules and disregard worker concerns. Improper maintenance and repair can lead to malfunctions that endanger workers, as can defective machinery.Other times, there can be injuries caused by equipment and machinery although all safety precautions and maintenance guidelines have been followed:
- Struck by a moving object
- Striking against an object or equipment; including bumping into, stepping on, kicking, or being pushed or thrown onto an object
- Being squeezed, pinched, compressed, or crushed in equipment, between shifting objects, between stationary objects, or in a wire or rope
- Being struck, caught, or crushed in a collapsing structure, equipment, or material
- Being injured as a result of friction or pressure between the person and the source of injury
- Being injured from vibration
4. FatigueIn order to recover from grueling manual and mental labor, it is essential that employees take adequate breaks. Failing to take a break is another common cause of accidents stemming from physical issues, atrophy, and general exhaustion. The results of these can be far more devastating than taking a 10-minute breather.
5. DehydrationInadequate hydration can bring about disastrous consequences. On exceptionally hot summer days, failing to drink enough water can cause heat stroke or serious cardiac conditions. This can be avoided by simply drinking at least eight glasses of water per day.
6. Poor LightingInadequate lighting is responsible for a large number of accidents in the workplace each year. Providing adequate lighting is often overlooked when attempting to take preventative measures in a workplace or warehouse environment.
7. Hazardous MaterialsImproper handling of hazardous materials or not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is another common cause of accidents in the workplace. By reading material safety data sheets and providing the appropriate protective attire, many workplace incidents can be avoided.
8. StressIncreased levels of stress is one of the leading causes of death. It affects the human body in a variety of different ways; including negative effects physiologically, emotionally, and mentally, as well as debilitate or distract a worker.
If you have been injured at work, it is important to alert your employer as soon as possible. Make sure you give a full account of the accident, including where it occurred, how it happened, and what time it took place. If you have alerted your employer and provided a full account of the accident, our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers will do everything in their power to ensure you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries.
Contact our highly successful Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for a complimentary case evaluation, by calling 267-457-5570 or contacting us online.