There has never been more of an emphasis on health and safety in the workplace than there is today; however, accidents still happen.
Workplace accidents can happen in any professional setting, but there are certain types of incidents that our lawyers have seen time and again. Knowing about the most common causes of industrial accidents and injuries may help you to stay safe at work.
In this post, we look at the biggest risk factors for workplace injuries, and explain the legal approaches that best suit each one when the time comes to pursue compensation.
According to statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there were around 2.7 work-related illnesses and injuries in the U.S. in 2022 for every 100 workers. In this section, we look at the most common causes of these issues.
Heavy lifting is a vital aspect of many types of work, including construction, landscape gardening, warehouse work, delivery, furniture removal, fitness, and healthcare. It’s also one of the leading causes of workplace injuries in the United States, particularly sprains, strains, herniated discs, broken bones, and a host of other orthopedic issues.
If you regularly lift heavy loads during your working day, there are a number of tactics you can use to lower your risk of injury. According to occupational safety experts from Ohio State University, these include:
If you have to carry a load along a route you’re not familiar with, walk it without the load first, to identify any potential hazards.
You should also consider your overall capacity for recovery when it comes to heavy lifting. Take regular breaks; if possible, try to space out the periods you spend lifting and carrying loads during the working day. Also, if you pursue fitness goals outside of your job, consider prioritizing other forms of training rather than weights sessions if you’re doing a lot of heavy lifting at work.
Fatigue poses problems in just about every workplace, but not every job involves the same level of risk when it comes to injury. If you work in a role that’s more dangerous when you’re tired, you need to prioritize staying alert and keeping your energy levels high during your shifts. Fatigue in industrial settings can lead to serious accidents, including those involving machinery mishaps and reduced attention to safety protocols.
If you work night shifts, fatigue can be especially problematic. Statistics from OSHA state that work-related accident and injury rates are 30% higher on night shifts, and 18% higher on evening shifts.
The best way to combat fatigue is by getting high-quality sleep. You should try to:
Consuming caffeine by drinking coffee or energy drinks can help to combat fatigue in the short run. However, caffeine isn’t a substitute for quality rest; in fact, drinking it too close to your bedtime can compromise your sleep, making fatigue worse over time. So, use caffeine if you feel it’s necessary, but try to do so sensibly.
Dehydration in an industrial environment can impair cognitive and physical functions, increasing the risk of accidents. It commonly arises from inadequate access to drinking water, especially in hot conditions or in strenuous job roles.
It’s up to your employer to ensure you have easy access to drinking water, particularly in physically demanding or hot work conditions. Educational programs covering the signs of dehydration and information about its prevention may also be beneficial.
Dehydration can lead to health issues like heat stroke, which can require substantial medical intervention and lead to long-term complications, or even death. Even if dehydration doesn’t directly cause a health event, it can increase the risk of accidents. If you’re not properly hydrated, you’re more likely to allow a lapse in concentration to contribute to an accident.
Poor lighting in industrial settings can cause accidents by reducing visibility and making it difficult for workers to avoid hazards. This can lead to slips, trips, and falls, as well as mistakes in handling machinery or materials.
Insufficient lighting isn’t only a problem in typically high-risk industries; it can lead to accidents and injuries in any type of workplace. If you work in an office with stairs, for example, insufficient lighting in the stairwell could leave you at risk of tripping and falling.
Injuries from poor lighting conditions can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe head trauma and spinal injuries.
Handling hazardous materials without proper safety measures can lead to chemical burns, respiratory issues, and other serious health conditions.
As is the case with poor lighting, hazardous materials are a problem in seemingly “safe” workplaces. If you work in a kitchen, for example, you could suffer injuries because of boiling water or oil.
Your employer is responsible for providing training on handling procedures, providing appropriate personal protective equipment, and ensuring that safety data are accessible. Regular drills and updated training on handling emergencies involving hazardous materials are crucial.
Industrial accidents will always happen, but there are important steps employers can take to reduce their likelihood.
First, prioritize education and training. Your workers need to know how to mitigate the risks associated with dehydration, fatigue, heavy lifting, and the handling of hazardous materials. You cannot assume your employees will educate themselves about these things in their own time; you need to make sure they get the guidance they need during the working day.
The same goes for equipment. It’s generally up to you to ensure that workers have what they need to do their jobs safely; don’t cut corners here.
You should also make sure you’re not incentivizing your employees to engage in risky behaviors, even accidentally. Consider, for example, your approach to deadlines. If you’re frequently pushing your workers to get things done as quickly as possible, without proper regard for the demands of the tasks at hand, you’re increasing the risk of someone getting hurt.
Additionally, basic workplace maintenance will help to keep everything orderly and, by extension, keep everyone safe. This includes:
If you’ve been injured on the job and think you deserve compensation, a personal injury attorney can help you.
If you’ve suffered an injury at work, you should be entitled to workers’ compensation regardless of whether your employer was negligent. Accepting workers’ compensation generally prevents you from pursuing damages from a personal injury claim. However, there are some circumstances in which you may be entitled to workers’ compensation and personal injury damages, such as if the negligence of a third party played a role in your accident.
At The Cochran Firm, we offer complimentary, no-obligation initial consultations. To schedule one, just fill out the contact form on our website or call 800-969-4400. No matter how big or small your case is, we’re here to help.
