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5 Most Common Workplace Injuries and How to Avoid Them

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Encompass Safety
5 Most Common Workplace Injuries and How to Avoid Them

 

Hundreds of thousands of accidents, many of them serious, occur in the workplace each year. That is why it is so important that all small business owners receive proper workplace health and safety training.

Of course, even the best prepared among us can still fall victim to accidents at work. But to be forewarned is to be forearmed, so here are 5 of the most common accidents and injuries in the workplace:-

Vehicle-Related Accidents

Where there are vehicles of any kind, there is the possibility of accidents. These include being struck or run over by a moving vehicle, falling out of a vehicle, being struck by objects falling from a vehicle, and being crushed or stuck under an overturned vehicle.

Preventing these types of accidents starts with assessing who is at risk, as well as where these accidents occur most often, and receiving workplace health and safety training through proper maintenance. Only then are preventive measures more easily established.

Being hit by falling objects

Many workers are on the receiving end of falling objects, and what's more, this isn't just a problem in warehouse-type environments. Objects falling from shelves or cupboards can cause unpleasant injuries, especially if the person who ends up feeling full force doesn't see it coming.

Repetitive strain injury

RSI is another problem that has become increasingly common at work over the years, although even now some employers don't seem to take it entirely seriously. It's also not just a problem for those of us who regularly use keyboards at work; in fact, it can be the result of any repetitive movement of the joints. The cumulative impact of RSI can be severe in some cases, so it makes sense to take precautions.

Trips, Slips, And Falls

Slip, trip and fall account for one-third of all personal injuries in the workplace and are the leading cause of all workers' compensation claims. The types of injuries incurred include head, back, and neck injuries, broken bones, cuts, sprains, and pulled muscles. There are 3 keys to preventing these types of accidents in the workplace: good cleaning, quality walking surfaces, and proper footwear.

Exposure to Harmful Substances or Environments

The final spot on our list of most common workplace injuries goes to exposure to harmful substances. You might imagine most of these injuries come from inhaling chemicals from pesticides and cleaning products, but the category also includes exposure to extreme temperatures, electricity, and radiation.

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