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Accidents don't just happen. They are caused.Yet, each time a workplace accident happens workers tend to look for "things" to blame it on, rather than solve its root cause.
This nonchalant attitude of treating workplace accidents is costing U.S. businesses about $600 billion/year due to injuries and illnesses.Workplace accidents are physically and emotionally traumatic. It can cause the reduction of income and, in severe cases, a loss of limb or life.
For example, in the entire U.S., 5,190 workers died on the job in 2016. Massachusetts, as small as it is, fared not any better. In 2014, 59,500 injuries (there is no record of fatalities) were reported by the private sector.Workplace accidents come in many forms and severity, but these are the most common.
Ten most common workplace accidents:
Whenever there is any human activity, there are always accidents waiting to happen. And these could be:
1. Slips, trips, and falls:
They can happen due to slippery floors, frayed rugs, electrical cords across walkways, or a or a dimly-lit environment.
2. Muscle strains:
Workers who regularly lift heavy weights, or working under physically demanding conditions are very susceptible to this type of accident.Proper training or using the appropriate equipment can prevent muscle strains from happening.
3. Hit by Falling objects:
Accidents due to falling objects cannot only happen in construction sites but also in an office, warehouse or production floor.
Examples are loose boxes on top of storage racks, a large binder from the top shelf of a cabinet, a heavy object for table tops, loose ceiling lighting fixtures, etc.
4. Repetitive strain injury:
Repetitive strain injuries are caused the by the repetitive and prolonged use, particularly of the hands. Called RSI in the medical field, it is painful and can impair the function of a muscle or tendon.
Examples of RSI are wrist injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendonitis.
5. Crashes and collisions:
Crashes and collisions are mostly caused by small in-house vehicles like lorries, forklifts and small utility cars.
In most cases, crashes and collisions have very serious and nasty consequences.
6. Cuts and lacerations:
Sources of cuts and lacerations are plenty in any work environment such as scissors, paper cutters, staplers, power saws, metal cutters, production equipment, maintenance tools, etc.Though most cuts and lacerations require no more than first-aid, a few require hospitalizations.
7. Toxic fumes inhalation:
Unknown to most, an office has several sources of toxic fumes such as PVC plastic, solvents and paints, scented candles, molds, dirty air ducts, and many others.
They can cause allergies, eye irritation, breathing difficulties, asthma and other respiratory problems if exposed for longer periods of time.
8. Prolonged exposure to loud noise:
The standard noise level or a workplace is 60 dB. Anything higher than that can have long-term effects on your ears.Prolonged exposure to loud noise, say 80 dB and above, can result in a permanent hearing loss.
9. Bumping into objects:
Have you ever walked right into a clear glass wall or door panel?
I have, on several occasions. So did Justin Bieber in a concert in Paris. Luckily, except for a huge embarrassment, the damage was no more than a huge lump on the forehead.Other than a clear glass panel, bumping accidents from sharp edges of a table, door, wall or cabinet, objects of signs that are out of place.
Injuries from this accident type are generally minor unless medical attention is needed.
10. Workplace fights:
Workplace fights are fairly common even in well-run organizations. As long as hundreds of or thousands of people are confined in the same space for eight hours, disagreements will flare up every now and then.
Workplace fights occur mostly due to lack of information, lack of resources, differences in personalities, and management issues.
Some of them may be no more than simple bickering, but a few can cause work-related injuries, not to mention a loss of productivity.
It is standard practice for organizations to train its employees on matters of health, safety, and sanitation. On top of that, it has a safety department to oversee the implementation of a company's rules and regulations on safety.
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