Make no mistake, the workplace can be a very dangerous place, and incidentally, all kinds of injuries happen at work. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that nearly 2.8 million injuries happen at work in the U.S. each year.
One of the best ways to reduce incidents of workplace-related accidents is to understand the common injuries you are likely to suffer should these accidents happen. Depending on the nature of the workplace, here are the top three injuries you need to look out for in the workplace.
Slip-and-fall related injuries
Most slip-and-fall accidents in the workplace are caused by wet floors, loose cables, poorly lit areas and uneven floors. Slip-and-fall accidents can result in serious injuries such as broken bones, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, cuts and abrasions, soft tissue injuries, and shoulder and neck injuries.
Muscle strains
Muscle strains occur when you sit for an extended period in the same position thus causing a strain on the back and neck muscles. They also happen when a worker lifts, pulls or pushes heavy objects. Muscle strains resulting from heavy lifting, pulling or pushing tend to be common in factories and construction sites.
Repetitive motion injuries
Also known as repetitive stress injuries (RSI), repetitive motion injuries, as the name suggests, are temporary or permanent injuries that develop when the nerves, muscles, tendons and ligaments are subjected to the same motion over and over. RSIs usually develop over time and are characterized by weakness, pain or tingling in the affected area. Repetitive motion activities like typing can strain the muscles and tendons in the hands resulting in pain and discomfort.
Workplace injuries can happen to anyone, and at any time. Find out how you can pursue a workers’ compensation claim if you are hurt while at work.