Accidents in the workplace are nothing unique. They happen all the time, and it is something that all employers and employees consider. While an accident can happen anywhere and to anyone, by knowing the most common causes of workers’ comp accidents claims, you can take precautions and preventive measures.
Lifting Heavy Objects
Several workplace injuries can be attributed to manual labor such as lifting heavy objects. It is very easy to strain a muscle or get your back injured if your job requires you to lift things. You can lower your chances of getting injured if you practice safe ways of performing manual labor. If you need a heavy object moved, make sure that you use a machine to move it. If your workplace does not have one, ask for help from other people. You may also use a back brace if you must get it done by yourself.
Tripping and Falling
Tripping or falling is one of the leading causes of injuries that are sustained while working. It is a major problem that can cause the victim to have serious damage. There can be many reasons why someone might trip, and some of the more common reasons are slippery floors, spilled liquids, poor lighting in the workplace, or the use of the wrong footwear. A messy workplace can also contribute to an employee tripping or falling.
To avoid an accident, the workplace should be kept clean and have proper lighting. The employer should also inform the employees about safety, and how they can avoid such accidents.
Exhaustion and Stress
People are more prone to accidents when they are tired or exhausted. Employees at the workplace must show up well-rested and in proper physical and mental shape. A lack of sleep or too much stress can make the employee more vulnerable to accidents. To avoid over-stressing the employees, they should receive regular breaks during their work. Working constantly without interruptions can make the employee tired and exhausted.
It is also vital that employees receive training and resources on managing stress. They should have adequate leaves so that they do not turn up for work when they are sick.
Unsafe Workplace
A workplace can turn hazardous in many ways. It could be because of messiness or disarray, or because the employees were not trained properly or given adequate equipment.
If a workplace is messy, then the employees are more likely to get into accidents. They can trip on an object that is lying around, or they can slip on a wet floor. It is important to maintain a high standard of cleanliness in the workplace to lower the chances of avoidable accidents.
Employees must go through an OSHA training program to be more aware of workplace hazards and be more careful while working. Going through the training will not only make the workplace safe but also increase productivity and financial performance.
Distractions
If an employee is distracted, either due to work or personal matters, then their chances of getting injured increase. It is important for people to stay alert while they work, especially if the work involves operating heavy machinery, or manual labour. Distractions while performing certain tasks can lead to serious injuries, and even end up causing a disability.
To ensure that employees do not get distracted, the workplace should have certain rules in place – such as no loud sounds or disrupting someone who is working. If an employer notices that their employees are distracted, they should consider introducing training programs to reduce the risk of workplace injuries.
Workplace Violence
Workplace violence can take any number of forms. It could be a conflict between two or more employees, it could be robbery or an attack, and it could also be a customer getting violent. Violence has an extremely high chance of causing serious injuries, or even death.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has guidelines in place about preventing violence in the workplace. Employers can refer to the guidelines if they require help with solving a conflict.
