Common Injuries at Work

There are some common injuries that can occur to any body at any time. In certain workplaces, specific kinds of accidents may be more frequent than the others. For example, workers of a chemical factory are more likely to suffer from breathing problems and burns rather than those working in an office. Injuries at work are quite common, but it is the employers’ duty to minimise these risks as far as possible so that the employees get a safe environment to work in, and in this way, they can also avoid the chance of being sued by the workers for compensation claims.

There are some common injuries at work that generally take place more often than others:

Slips & Trips: It has been estimated that almost three fourth of workplace injuries are the results of slips & trips. Such accidents may seem to be minor and often end up as a source of humour, but a reality is that some of them can even result in broken bones, head injuries and some major fractures of limbs. It is the employers’ duty to ensure that the flooring is suitable, clean and not worn out, trailing cables and wires are hidden out and there is sufficient lighting and adequate hand and guard rails.

Manual handling: This term includes any activities related to lifting, pushing, lowering, pulling, moving, carrying, holding and restraining any animal, person or object. A majority of such injuries are strains in hands, feet, arms, tendons and heart and musculoskeletal disorder of backs.
Workplace accidents due to traffic: Such injuries include being hit by moving vehicles, falling from a vehicle, or being hit by materials falling from a vehicle, or overturning or collapse of a vehicle. Such accidents are not only restricted to vehicles of heavy goods, but also to those vehicles which the workers can carry inside the work place. The employers should ensure that the vehicles and pedestrians are segregated by distance or barriers, it is better to introduce a one-way system of traffic.

Electric shocks: A large number of workers suffer from electric injuries at work every year. In order to avoid them, the employers should make sure that all the electrical equipments in the workplace are well-maintained, well-designed and suitable for the work and ensure that the workers using the equipments are well-trained for their use.

Other areas of common injuries at work include working in the presence of fire, working with dangerous chemicals are working with heavy and plant machinery. While no one can predict injuries at work, it is the duty of both employees and the employers to minimise the risks of accidents as much as possible.