Preventing the Causes of Workplace Injuries
Do you know what the top 10 causes of workplace injuries are? If not, you’re not alone. A lot of business owners don’t know about the most common ways their employees get injured. This can lead to a lot of money being lost due to workers’ compensation claims and other medical expenses. In this blog post, we will discuss the top 10 causes of workplace injuries and how to prevent them!
What are the top 10 causes of workplace injuries?
The most common causes of workplace injuries are:
- Overexertion
- Falls on the Same Level
- Falls to Lower Level
- Being Struck by an Object
- Awkward Postures
- Exposure to other Harmful Substances
- Roadway Incidents involving motorized land vehicles (vehicle crashes)
- Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects
- Slip or trip without fall
- Pedestrian vehicular incidents
Overexertion is the number one cause of workplace injuries, accounting for 23% of all reported cases. The top five injury causes on this list account for 68.9% of the total cost burden on companies according to Liberty Mutual
.
Overexertion Involving Outside Sources
This is also referred to as object handling injuries and includes activities such as:
- Carrying
- Pushing
- Pulling
- Lowering objects to a working surface
- Lifting objects from a working surface.
Overexertion accounts for nearly one out of every four workplace injuries and is the most common cause of lost work days. It is defined as when a person works past what they are physically capable of doing.
Falls on the Same Level
Falls are the second leading cause of workplace injuries, accounting for 18% of all reported cases. They can occur when an employee slips, trips, or stumbles on a wet or oily surface, cluttered walkway, or uneven walking surface. They can also occur when an employee trips over loose carpeting, cords, or equipment in the work area.
Falls to a Lower Level
Falls to a lower level account for 11% of all workplace injuries and are most commonly caused by employees falling off of ladders, scaffolding, or roofs. They can also occur when an employee slips and falls downstairs or through an opening in the floor or ground.
Being Struck by an Object
This type of injury accounts for about 9% of all workplace injuries and can be caused by flying objects, falling objects, or moving objects striking an employee. They can also occur when an object collides with an employee, such as when an employee is hit by a swinging door.
Awkward Postures
This type of injury can occur when an employee is required to maintain an awkward position for a prolonged period of time. It can also occur when an employee repetitively performs the same task using the same body part in the same position. Awkward postures account for about 8% of all workplace injuries.
How can you prevent these injuries from happening in your workplace?
There are a few things you can do to prevent these injuries from happening in your workplace:
– Make sure all employees are adequately trained on how to perform their job tasks safely.
– Inspect the work area regularly for hazards and correct them immediately.
– Provide employees with the proper safety equipment and clothing for their job tasks.
– Encourage employees to take breaks often and stretch or move around periodically throughout the day.
— Encourage a safety-first environment
— Provide employees with an appropriate ergonomic setup for their task
— Performing post-offer employment testing to make sure your employee is physically
By following these simple tips, you can help prevent workplace injuries and save your company money in the long run. If you have any questions about preventing workplace injuries, please contact our office today. We would be happy to help!
What are the consequences of not preventing workplace injuries?
If workplace injuries are not prevented, they can lead to a number of consequences for both the employees and the employer. Employees may suffer from pain, disability, and even death. In addition, employers may face increased workers’ compensation costs, lost productivity, and higher insurance premiums. If you have any questions about preventing workplace injuries in your company, please contact our office today. We would be happy to help!
Final Thoughts on Top 10 Workplace Injuries
Workplace injuries can have a number of consequences for employees and employers. By following some simple tips, you can help to prevent these injuries from happening in your workplace. If you have any questions about preventing workplace injuries, please contact our office today.
Contact WorkSafe to find out how we can help your company today!
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