According to the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA), workplace injuries are one of the most common and costly safety issues facing employers and employees. Musculoskeletal disorders such as sprains, strains, and tears make up a large portion of these injuries due to overexertion from lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects incorrectly. Broken bones, cuts, and bruises are also very common due to slips, trips, and falls.
Repetitive motion injuries can occur over time from continual motions like typing, operating machinery, and even holding a phone for long periods. To reduce the frequency and impact of workplace injuries, employers should implement safety measures such as training programs that focus on proper technique for exerting physical effort as well as maintaining equipment regularly. It is important that workers use proper posture while participating in any activity to prevent back or neck pain, sore wrists caused by computer inputting and frequent breaks must be taken to keep strain on the body at a minimum.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries in the workplace can be serious and potentially life-threatening. Most often caused by wet or slippery surfaces, lack of handrails, poorly lit stairs, and debris that has not been cleared away, these falls can lead to broken bones, sprains, concussions, back or neck injuries and more. Unfortunately, too often these accidents go unreported because of embarrassment or fear of job-related repercussions.
To prevent the occurrence of these unfortunate events, employers must invest in safety measures such as warning signs to alert those on premises that there is a potential hazard present and providing appropriate footwear to improve grip on floors. If employees are aware of their surroundings and take extra precautions, slip and fall injuries in the workplace can be greatly reduced.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
Repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel or tendonitis, can have a major impact on workplace productivity. The physical pain associated with these injuries, especially when severe, can be incredibly debilitating and make all kinds of everyday tasks difficult to manage. Further, managing the onset of repetitive strain injuries often requires taking time off work which translates into economic losses for both employees and employers.
It is essential that all workers understand the risks associated with certain types of activity and take steps to prevent these painful conditions by stretching and resting regularly. All employers should provide resources to help workers avoid repetitive stress injuries in order to create healthier working environments and also increase productivity.
Back Injuries
An unfortunate yet increasingly common issue for many people today is suffering from back injuries in the workplace. Back pain can be debilitating - leaving workers unable to complete their regular duties and even impacting mental health as a result of reduced activity and restricted quality of life. When it comes to avoiding back problems in the workplace, ergonomic furniture and workstations can go a long way toward preventing injury.
It is essential that employers create a comfortable and safe environment for their employees to minimize the risk factors associated with back injury on the job. Fixed desks and chairs, adjustable workspace heights, well-made keyboards, monitors with height adjustments, and adjustable footrests can all help significantly reduce the number of individuals affected by these potentially crippling injuries at work.
Strains
The workplace can be a stressful and challenging environment, often leaving employees feeling overwhelmed. Employees can become strained when too much is expected of them or when colleagues do not cooperate. Over time, strains in the workplace can have a detrimental effect on employee morale and productivity.
Employers should ensure that communication within their team is clear, that expectations are realistic and manageable and that any conflicts are addressed as quickly as possible in order to avoid issues before they escalate into bigger problems. Additionally, employers should look for ways to improve their culture by offering additional support or resources when needed. With the right strategies in place, employees can feel supported and better able to reach desired outcomes with confidence.
Vehicle Collisions
Vehicle collisions are a very common and unfortunate workplace accident. According to the National Safety Council, motor vehicle collisions cost employers billions of dollars each year in lost productivity and medical expenses. They can also be emotionally devastating for both parties involved, from the workers to their co-workers and families directly affected.
Employers should take extra precautions in order to protect their employees who use vehicles for business purposes, including providing driver safety training, monitoring driving activities, equipping vehicles with safety features such as seatbelts and airbags, providing defensive driving courses and establishing safe driving guidelines. These steps will help lower the risks of vehicle collisions being a cause of workplace accidents and keep everyone safe during their shift.
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