4 Common Causes of Workplace Injuries and the Resultant Impact on your Health

No matter how conscientious and attentive you are about adhering to safety rules on the job, the potential risk of a workplace injury is ever-present. These injuries put workers at risk of hospitalization and in the worst-case-scenario death. It also affects their insurance rates, increases workers’ compensation claims, reduces productivity and affects overall productivity levels in the workplace.

Team vigilance at all levels, according to Wisconsin Medical Group, is essential in maintaining a safe environment and minimizing various causes of work-related accidents. Here are five workplace injuries that you should know.

1. Overexertion

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 282,860 categories of over-exertion and body reaction incidents. Exposure to these incidences is so prevalent when you consider overexertion to result from single events or even repetitive motions. Sometimes, holding a certain position for a prolonged period can cause overexertion.

Common activities that can cause overexertion include moving patients, sitting at a desk for a long time, lifting supplies, loading trucks, and more. Note that overexertion can result in back injuries, sore wrists, neck injuries, muscle strain, and other related injuries. In extreme cases, some injuries might require surgery.

2. Slips and falls

No matter where you work, you are likely to encounter slippery floors at some point. So, there is a risk of slips and related injuries. In addition to wet floors, slips and falls can also be attributed to icy sidewalks, uneven surfaces, improperly managed stairways, and more. People who handle tasks involving heights are at risk of tripping and falling off the ladders. Also, falling from scaffolding and other similar platforms are common and dangerous.

These accidents can cause sprains, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, cuts, pulled muscles, back injuries, neck injuries, and more. Some of these injuries are minor, while others might be life-threatening.

3. Fire and explosions

Fires and explosions in the workplace are very common and are caused by faulty gas lines, improperly stored flammable products, and other risk factors.  The resulting injuries from these accidents include varying degrees of burns, minor or severe damage to the respiratory system, potential disfigurement, and more.

4. Vehicle-related accidents

Vehicles offer convenience when it comes to transportation. However, they’re also linked to a heightened risk of traffic crashes. Some of the common auto accidents include falling from a vehicle, being struck by a vehicle, head-on collisions, and more.

Whether you are a company driver or help with loading and offloading trucks, there’s a risk of getting involved in a traffic accident. These accidents can cause minor injuries like bruises and minor cuts. Other accidents, on the other hand, can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, deep cuts, and other life-threatening injuries.

Wrap up

Bruises, fractured bones, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and other workplace injuries have one thing in common – medical bills. Though workers’ compensation insurance offers various benefits to injured workers, some injuries cause life-long impact or even death! So, take care of yourself while at work.