There are many common causes of workplace injuries. These include physical exertion, exposure to hazardous materials, and slips and falls. Listed below are some of the most common types of injuries and their main causes. Learn more about these injuries and prevent them from happening at your workplace.
Exertion
Overexertion is one of the most common causes of workplace injuries. This type of injury can cause a variety of problems, including strained muscles and back injuries, which may require surgery or physical therapy. Exertion can also cause injuries to joints, ligaments, and tendons.
Nonfatal workplace injuries are most often caused by bodily reactions and exertions, which account for 25% of all workplace accidents. This type of injury can occur while performing a job task, including standing, sitting, crouching, bending, or twisting. This injury can also occur when performing repetitive tasks. These injuries are the most common among service providers. The average recovery time for service providers is 12 days, which is longer than the average for most workplace injury.
Nearly a third of full-time workers are affected by exercise-related pain. Overexertion can cause muscle damage, tendonitis, and bursitis. Symptoms of overexertion include fatigue, dehydration, and acute or chronic physical pain.
Overexertion is a common cause of workplace injuries. It accounts for around 85% of all workers’ comp claims in the country. Additionally, falls are another major cause of work-related injuries, and account for about 25.8% to 27.5% of incidents. The key to preventing workplace injuries is to avoid these common hazards. These guidelines will help you and your company avoid common workplace injuries.
Contact with equipment
Contact with machinery is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries. It can cause severe injury to the body. This can be avoided by investing in quality PPE that will reduce the risk of being crushed or caught in the machinery. This includes safety glasses, ear plugs, and steel-toe shoes. It is also important for employers to provide appropriate training for workers. This could include proper form training and ergonomics. These can help to prevent injuries from repetitive motions, overexertion, and bodily reactions.
Many injuries can be sustained by workers in the manufacturing sector. Many of these injuries are caused by heavy lifting or by repetitive motions. In addition, workers in this industry are also more likely to sustain a sprain or strain, while many other injuries are the result of contact with equipment.
Research suggests that 90 percent of workplace injuries can be attributed to worker negligence. Often, this negligence starts with the worker’s attitude and mental state. According to workplace safety experts, there are four types of mindsets that can increase the likelihood of injury. These experts also offer strategies to help workers avoid these types of accidents.
Contact with machinery is a common cause of workplace injuries in the construction industry. These injuries can cause serious injury and cost employers time and money. In 2019, there were 25,460 falls related to the construction industry. This rate represents an average of 31.4 per 10,000 full-time workers. Contact with equipment is the third most common workplace injury, accounting for 26 percent of all work-related injuries.
Slips, trips, and falls
Although STFL is not a common cause of death, these types of injuries can often lead to serious injuries. Buck and Coleman found that 17% of workplace accidents were STFL-related. 36% of these cases involved sprains and fractures. Another study by Bentley and Haslam looked at postal delivery workers who worked outside and found that more than half of lost work days were due to back or knee injuries.
Dislocated joints and fractures are the most common injuries from falls at work. Most fractures will affect the wrist, finger, and ankle. Sprains and dislocations of the shoulder or knee are also common. Other common injuries from falls include cuts and lacerations, as well as traumatic brain injuries.
Many workplace accidents are preventable by using safety equipment, using good housekeeping and maintenance practices, and responding quickly to leaks or spills. Slips, trips, falls, and other injuries account for 12 to 15% of all workers’ compensation costs. On average, these accidents cause workers to miss 11 days of work.
According to the National Safety Council, more than one million Americans are injured each year due to these accidents. Falls account for about a third of all nonfatal workplace injuries, and they cost employers an estimated $8 billion a year. Slips and falls can cause death or permanent disability.
Research on the causes of workplace falls and injuries has shown that the onset and severity of slips is influenced by three distinct factors. The factors that affect the risk of slipping are the dynamic stability of a surface and the friction demand of the surfaces.
Exposure to toxic substances
Chemical exposure is one the leading causes for workplace injuries and illnesses. Some types of chemical exposure can cause immediate injuries such as burns. Others can lead to permanent damage. Even modest exposures can lead to lifelong illnesses and conditions. Every year, 60,000 Americans are killed by occupational illnesses and injuries.
These chemicals can have devastating effects on the environment. They can harm aquatic life, plants, and animals. They may also cause fires and pose a threat to human populations. Some harmful chemicals can cause immediate toxic effects after episodic release. These toxic effects are called acute toxicity. Exposure can also occur following multiple exposures.
Employers must give workers Safety Data Sheets on chemicals they use to reduce exposure. These documents should contain information about chemical hazards, their effects and emergency treatment. These documents should also include information about which respirator each worker should use.
Toxic chemicals can enter the body through the skin and through the gastrointestinal tract. Chemical exposure can lead to skin conditions and even lung disease. Toxic chemicals can also harm the fetus of pregnant women. The risk of exposure can be minimized by avoiding consuming contaminated food or drinks, keeping a distance from the worksite, and washing hands thoroughly.
OSHA has published several standards for the prevention and control of chemical exposures. The Hazard Communication standard covers monitoring of chemical exposure in the workplace, while the individual chemical standards require employers to conduct air sampling at the workplace and offer medical testing. A similar standard, Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records, requires employers to analyze employee medical records to identify chemical hazards. Workers may also designate a representative who will review their records.
Overexertion
Overexertion is a common cause of workplace injuries. It happens when a worker is forced to perform physical tasks beyond his or her ability, such as lifting heavy objects. This can result in a work injury, such as a strained back or neck.
This problem can be prevented by making workplaces more ergonomically-sound. Managers need to train their employees how to avoid overexertion injuries. They should also monitor the hardworking team to look for signs of discomfort. They should report any discomfort to the healthcare professional and document it. Employees should also be trained to warm up before physical tasks. In addition, regular physical exercise and strength training will help prevent overexertion injuries.
A back injury is the most common form of overexertion injury. It can range from a minor strain to a spinal cord injury, requiring time off work, physical therapy, or even surgery. Neck injury, which can range in severity from a minor strain to a severe cervical fracture, is another common overexertion injury. In addition, overexertion injuries can result in muscle sprains and strains in different parts of the body.
Overexertion injuries can be caused by performing a task beyond one’s physical capabilities. This can lead to muscle pulls, backaches, or joint pain. These injuries can be very painful and can limit a person’s ability for work. Overexertion injuries are a leading cause of missed work and cost $15 billion annually in workers’ compensation.
Workers’ compensation may cover many of these injuries, but it can be difficult for workers to prove that they were injured due to overexertion. Many insurance companies deny such cases, so it is important to hire a skilled workman’s compensation attorney. Moreover, some workers do not even realize they have the symptoms of overexertion, which can complicate proving the injury.