If your work involves hard labor and long hours on your feet, you’re more likely to injure yourself on the job. Construction workers, security guards, and factory workers are a few professions that see many accidents in the workplace. Yet, you can injure yourself in other positions as well—even ones that don’t require much physical labor. As such, it’s good to know the most common workplace injuries that you may encounter. That way, you can do your best to avoid them.
Slips and Falls
Trips and falls are by far the most common injuries that come up in the workplace. They can occur due to:
- Slippery surfaces
- Uneven or broken stairs
- Ground that isn’t level
- Human error
If you work around a lot of stairs and potentially slick surfaces, you need to be careful when walking around. Always have the possibility of a fall in the back of your mind so that you stay cautious. If you do suffer a fall on the job, it’s best to know what you need to prove your case in court because you’ll need compensation to help you pay for the medical bills and any income you lose from being unable to work.
Bodily Strain and Overexertion
If you work with heavy tools and equipment, you could strain your body, causing an injury. Examples of this include:
- Throwing your back out trying to lift something too heavy
- Sustaining a neck injury from a repeated motion
- Suffering heatstroke due to overexertion and dehydration
It’s essential to take breaks when working with strenuous equipment. You should also make sure that you have plenty of water available when working outside in the heat.
Equipment-Related Injuries
Construction workers and factory workers often injure themselves with equipment. For example, a machinist may get his hand caught in a drilling or milling machine, resulting in a severe injury. Inadequate safety training can also lead to equipment-related accidents and injuries. Nurses and other medical workers can also receive similar injuries, such as when a nurse accidentally pricks their finger with a used needle when disposing of it. Staying safe on the job takes a cautious mind and a vigilant eye.
So there you have our list of the most common workplace injuries. We hope you can use this article to know what to look out for in your field of work to stay safe.
