Workplace Injuries
What are Workplace Injuries?
Injuries at the workplace range from minor cuts or bruises which are non-fatal to injuries such as severe fractures or trauma that can be fatal. Injuries can occur due to slips, repetitive motion, hazards from machinery, falling from a height, burns, or any kind of violent act. Workplace injuries also include diseases which spread through microorganisms. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the employer to provide you with a safe working environment.
Types of Workplace Injuries
The various types of workplace injuries include:
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Any occupation has risks of slips, trips, and falls. The possible causes include poor housekeeping, slippery floors, inappropriate footwear, inappropriate drainage, uneven floor surface, walkways used for storage, etc.
Ensure you are provided with an appropriate working environment to prevent slips, trips and falls including:
- Maintaining resistance of the floor
- Requiring staff to wear proper footwear
- Providing proper storage
- Removing tripping hazards such as cords from walkways
- Providing staff with mechanical aids if needed
- Minimizing changes in the level of the floor
- Modifying standards which may reduce the chances of spills
Machine-Related Injuries
Machines-related injuries occur if machines are poorly maintained or handled inappropriately. Ensure you are provided with safety measures to operate machines including:
- Regular maintenance of machines
- Machines repairs addressed in time
- Proper training to use the machine
- You are provided with protective gear: Safety goggles, boots, protective goggles
- Risk assessments are carried out regularly
Fire and Explosions
Injuries due to fire and explosions can affect your skin, eyes, ears, and various organs due to inhalation of toxic chemicals or may cause shock.
Ensure safety from fire and explosions at your workplace by following important measures including:
- Prohibition of smoking in the working area
- Ensuring machinery is properly maintained
- Maintaining an appropriate number of fire extinguishers
- Following chemical safety rules
- Preventing ignition in an explosive atmosphere
Transportation Injuries
These injuries result due to different means of transportation. Manufacturing, agricultural, and environment industries commonly face transportation injuries. The injuries include concussions, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, etc.
Transportation injuries can be prevented by following traffic and transportation rules. Heavy loading of vehicles must be avoided. Care must be taken to prevent injury to pedestrians.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
These are the most common injuries in any occupation. Repetitive stress injuries occur due to repetitive motions performed at your workplace. Repetitive injuries include back pain, neck pain, Tendinitis, Ganglionic Cyst, Trigger Finger, Bursitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tennis Elbow, etc. Repetitive injuries are common in an occupation such as computer-related work, gardening, playing musical instruments, packaging work, carpentry, etc.
Repetitive stress injuries can be prevented by regularly exercising, practicing stretching, physical therapy, medications, and choosing a healthy working environment.
Falling from Height Injuries
Construction companies commonly face falling from height injuries which can affect multiple organs, the whole of your body or even cause death. The common areas of injury from a fall include the neck, spine and head injuries.
Prevention of falling from height injuries involves both technical safety, knowledge and proper training. The employer is responsible to provide safety equipment and proper guidance. Any dangers must not be neglected.
