The 3 Most Common Workplace Injuries

While you may not associate work with danger, a worker gets injured on the job every seven seconds. Fortunately, most common workplace injuries are preventable. Here are the three most common workplace injuries and how you can avoid them.

#1: Overexertion

Overexerting the body makes up more than a third of all work-related injuries. Excessive lifting, sitting for prolonged periods, and extreme temperatures can cause overexertion. To avoid an injury, consider the following tips:

• Take breaks to move your body every 20 to 30 minutes.
• Use a footrest and adjust the height of computer to promote better posture when working at a desk.
• Limit repetitive motions.
• Lift from the legs when moving heavy objects.

#2: Contact with Debris or Equipment

It’s not just construction and manufacturing workers who are at risk for impact-related injuries. Transportation employees, firefighters, and office workers can encounter falling objects, heavy equipment, and collapsing materials. Staying alert is necessary for preventing an impact injury. Other prevention tips include:

• Keeping loose materials securely stored.
• Storing heavy objects close to the floor.
• Opening drawers one at a time to prevent a tip-over.
• Only using equipment you’ve been properly trained to handle.
• Wearing proper protective gear for your environment.

#3: Falls

Falls are the most preventable work-related injury. Planning ahead, proper equipment, and good judgment can save you a trip to the emergency room. Other prevention tips include:

• Maintaining three points of contact when using a ladder (two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand).
• Placing ladders on a solid surface.
• Using the locking device to keep the front and back legs of a step ladder open.
• Never working outside in bad weather conditions.

Promoting a culture of safety and caution in your work environment can help you and your team avoid common injuries on the job. Make a plan for how your team will deal with an emergency situation and locate your nearest St. Luke’s Health emergency room so you know where to go if an injury occurs.

Sources:
National Safety Council | Workplace Injuries Infographic
National Safety Council | Take it Easy – Your Body will Thank You
National Safety Council | Contact with Objects: It Pays to Pay Attention
National Safety Council | Make Fall Safety a Top Priority