(ThySistas.com) According to the Borough of Labor Statistics, there were 2.8 million nonfatal work injuries or illnesses reported by private industry employees in 2018.
The unfortunate truth of that statistic is a lot of those injuries and illnesses could have been avoided with proper training and workplace precautions. But oftentimes, employers and employees don’t prioritize safety while working.
It’s time for that to change.
Keep reading for the most common types of accidents in the workplace.
1. Slips and Falls
Slips and falls can happen anywhere. You could work in a warehouse or an office building and slip or fall and hurt yourself. That’s why these types of injuries are especially common among employees.
To prevent this type of accident, it’s important to take certain precautions in the workplace. Here are some ideas to prevent slips and falls.
- If a floor is wet, put up a wet floor sign
- Don’t leave loose wires across walking paths
- Keep paths clear of any objects
- Don’t let anything jut out that could lead to a trip and fall
- Keep the workplace well-lit
- Make sure your employees wear non-slip shoes if applicable
By taking these precautions, you can make the workplace environment much safer for employees.
2. Collisions
If you work in a warehouse or somewhere forklifts and other heavy machinery is used, collisions and crashes are always a possibility. While a crash or collision is always a possibility, there are ways to minimize the risk.
Most importantly, you need to make sure everyone who drives machinery is certified and trained. Secondly, there should be safety procedures in place so if an accident does happen, injuries are minimized as much as possible.
In the case of an accident, you need to have a response plan in place including knowing what doctor to see after a workplace injury.
3. Inhaling Toxic Fumes
Toxic fumes pose a dangerous threat to workers because they can have both short-term and long-term repercussions.
Toxic fumes can exist in all types of work environments, including cleaning service companies or warehouses. If your employees are working with toxic fumes, they need to be protected so the fumes don’t enter the body.
4. Cuts and Lacerations
Cuts and lacerations can happen in any work environment, but places that use dangerous machinery and sharp tools are where the most severe injuries can happen.
If your employees are working with things like chainsaws, you need to make sure they are wearing the proper protective clothing. It’s also vital that they have the necessary training and are never distracted while they are using dangerous tools and machinery.
5. Falling Objects
Employees can get hit by a falling object in any work environment, but these types of accidents are most common in a warehouse due to high shelving.
The only way to prevent injuries from fallen objects is to make sure everything is stored safely and securely on the shelves and in cupboards.
Beware of These Types of Accidents in the Workplace
Whether you’re an employer trying to keep your workers safe or you’re a worker trying to prevent injury, it’s important to be aware of the most common types of accidents in the workplace.
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Staff Writer; Lisa Hall