Did you know UCLA, Stanford, and the Institute of Labor Economics conducted a joint study in 2021 on workplace safety? The study found that heat causes 20,000 workplace injuries each year.
You can get injured at work whether you’re working under extreme temperatures, with heavy machinery, or even in an office cubicle. Unfortunately, there’s no way to guarantee a 100% accident-proof workplace.
You can create a more secure work environment by safeguarding the workspace against the most common workplace injuries though. But what exactly are the most common work-related accidents?
We’re here to fill you in. Keep reading below to learn about some of the most common workplace accidents and how you can best prevent them.
Struck by an Object
Being struck by an object is, unfortunately, a common accident in the construction industry. However, it can happen elsewhere too, like a retail setting.
To prevent this, be sure that your team has the proper clothing (i.e. helmets and gripped gloves) to protect themselves. Keep communication clear between team members to prevent employees from being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Machine-Related Accidents
Even the most knowledgeable machine operators run the risk of getting injured because of machinery. Injured employees may not even be at fault—machines sometimes malfunction and can cause accidents on their own.
Machine-related injuries can have long-lasting effects, so it’s important to provide employees with all the safety gear they need when operating machinery. It’s also important to educate your team with machine guarding training and safeguard any parts or processes of a machine that have the potential to be hazardous.
Overexertion
You must keep an eye on your staff’s energy levels and wellbeing during the workday. If employees are overworking themselves, they can fall prey to overexertion.
Overexertion typically results from intense muscle strain. It may happen, for example, if someone lifts something improperly. To prevent overexertion, provide your staff with ergonomic gear and solutions. Be sure to give them breaks as needed to prevent putting repetitive and constant stress on the body.
Slips and Falls
The majority of jobs require some level of movement, even if it’s simply walking from a desk to a copier. That’s why slipping is one of the most common workplace injuries across just about every occupational field.
This seems like a tough injury to prevent—after all, it can happen to virtually anyone. However, you can take several precautions, such as adding non-slip shoes to your dress code.
Be vigilant about keeping floors clear of debris or liquids. If a spill occurs, make sure to clean it as quickly as possible and put out a sign if needed. While it may sound silly, you can also prevent falls by forbidding running in the workspace.
Understanding and Preventing Common Workplace Injuries
It’s impossible to prevent every workplace accident. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strive to maintain a safe work environment for your employees.
With the guide above, you’ll have a clear idea of the most common workplace injuries and how they occur. Armed with this info, you can take steps to protect your staff and prevent these injuries from happening at your own company.
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