Most Common On-The-Job Injuries

Most jobs, no matter how mundane and seemingly safe, put people at risk of certain injuries. Certain jobs like construction and manufacturing have more obvious hazards, but even office workers, healthcare professionals, and teachers can get job-related injuries.

The most common workplace injuries are sprains and strains according to our work injury attorneys. The most area of harm for sprains and strains is the back and legs, with the risk greatest for people that move materials, laborers, and health care workers that transport and move patients. Anyone that lifts boxes or other objects at work should be aware of the proper way to do so and ask for help if the object is big, heavy, or awkward.

The next most common injuries are bruises and contusions, followed by cuts and lacerations. These injuries can be mild like a paper-cut or severe enough to require stitches or even surgery. Again, the more physical the job, the greater the risk, but nurses, cooks, janitors, and office workers can also sustain severe injuries while performing routine tasks. Other traumatic injuries like fractures and amputations can also happen, and it is important to know what to do and who to call in these situations. Sometimes people get more than one sort of injury at a time during an accident.

Carpal Tunnel syndrome and tendonitis are not traumatic injuries but they can occur slowly over time due to repetitive motions. People at risk of these injuries should take the time to stretch during work and know the best posture for the job. Anyone that works in front of a computer is at risk and only they can prevent injuries. Employers should encourage workers to stretch and move about if they begin to feel sore, and some companies have programs in place to keep workers from developing any chronic ailments.

These sorts of injuries can happen to just about anyone at just about any job. Certain occupations have specific risks that most people don’t encounter like chemical burns, asthma, electrocution, and hearing damage. Workers that suspect they are participating in a potentially hazardous activity or working in an unsafe environment should let their manager know.

Most employers want employees to stay healthy and injury-free and will gladly take the time to explain proper safety procedures, how to use safety equipment, and what to do in case of an accident to prevent the problem from getting worse. Workers have the right to safe work conditions, even in high-risk jobs, and should be properly trained. There are laws in place to protect workers that expose unsafe conditions.

Construction companies have a legal obligation to ensure that their workers receive adequate training, heed all safety precautions, and service their equipment regularly. Failure to do any of the followings may occur in any of the following accidents:

-Construction equipment malfunction – Failure to maintain equipment can result in crane collapse, scaffolding collapse, or electrocution accidents

-Elevated falls – More than 1/3 of all fatal construction site accidents are due to high falls.

-Slip and fall accidents – Tripping hazards, such as chords or walkway obstructions, can cause works to trip and fall, resulting in a variety of injuries

-Head and brain injury – Falling objects can cause head or brain injury if they strike a person, even if they are wearing a hard-hat.

For more information, speak to our work injury lawyers today.