No matter where you work, there’s always a risk of injury. In some professions, the risk is greater than others, but it’s always important to be aware of the dangers and take steps to avoid them.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the most common workplace injuries and explain what to do after you’ve been hurt. Keep in mind that every job is different, Therefore, to prevent injury, you should follow the specific safety measures put in place by your employer.
On that note, take a look at this list of common workplace injuries.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel is a problem that occurs when tissues swell within a confined space, causing pressure and pain. Common conditions that cause carpal tunnel syndrome include diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and pregnancy.
This condition is also referred to as median nerve entrapment. Women are more often affected than men, and it usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60 years.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
A slip, trip, or fall in the workplace is one of the top five most common ways to get injured at work. According to statistics from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), slips and falls accounted for 19 percent of all reported injuries in 2017.
Workplace injuries happen more often than you think. That’s why following instructions to avoid a work accident is essential.
Getting Struck by an Object or Equipment
Getting struck by an object or equipment is another one of the common ways to get injured at work. The BLS reports that getting struck was one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities in 2016.
In fact, 33 percent of all injury-related deaths occurred because someone got hit by moving objects like machinery and tools. You should use extreme caution around heavy equipment and follow all safety guidelines.
Exposure to Harmful Substances or Environments
Exposure to harmful substances or environments was the third most common way workers were injured in 2017, according to NCCI. In 2016, exposure to harmful substances or the environment accounted for 10 percent of all reported injuries. These types of injuries could have lasting effects.
Violence and Injuries by Other People
Injuries caused by violence from coworkers are highly prevalent. Some work-related injuries or illnesses may be initiated by the actions of an employee. Trauma from events or exposures that were intentionally inflicted or knowingly exacerbated by workers are considered work-related.
Hurt from incidents that were either intentionally inflicted by a perpetrator other than a worker include crimes at work, domestic violence, and harassment.
Strain or Sprain
Workers’ compensation claims are on the rise. These rates have been increasing more frequently. The most common workplace injuries that cause these claims are strains and sprains.
A strain is an injury caused by overstretching a muscle. On the other hand, a sprain is an injury to the ligament that connects two bones together in a person’s joints. A strain in the back muscles or spine can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty straightening up.
The most common strains are lower back injuries. This is because the majority of our body weight is centered within that area. Another example of a strain is tennis elbow. It occurs due to overuse of the elbow muscles.
Fractures and Dislocation
Fractures are another common work-related injury. Broken bones usually cause immediate, severe pain and swelling. It may be hard to move or use an arm or leg.
Sometimes fractures are open, which means the skin is broken over the fracture site. If this is the case, there may be bleeding.
These fractures are also called compound fractures. A person with an open fracture needs immediate medical attention. Other fractures can take weeks or months to heal.
Dislocations are sudden injuries in which a bone pops out of its joint and stays out of place until it’s popped back into place. They usually occur in the shoulders and knees. However, they can happen to other joints like the jaw or the hip.
In most cases, dislocations are caused by a blow to a joint. The affected person will feel pain and may not be able to move the injured body part.
Lacerations
Lacerations are caused by objects that tear through the skin. They’re either very small or large. But they’re deep enough to cause damage to muscles, tendons, or even bones underneath. If these injuries don’t stop bleeding within 20 minutes, the person requires medical attention.
Lacerations are more likely to become infected than most other types of work injury because they break the skin’s outer barrier. Other wounds that require medical treatment are heat burns, chemical burns, and bite wounds.
Crush Injuries
Crush injuries are also known as compressive neuropathies. They’re disorders caused by compression of nerve tissue. You’ll notice a crush injury because it’s a tag-shaped discolored area that appears on the skin where the object was pressed against it.
If blood flow to the tissues is impaired for any length of time, the area will become numb and then turn black and blue.
Were you hurt on the job? If you were, you may be able to make a disability claim. Follow the highlighted link to learn more about New York state disability insurance.
Understanding the Most Common Workplace Injuries
The most common workplace injuries that employees face are quite serious. Some of them can lead to long-term health issues. That’s why it’s important to get the help of an attorney and also look into your rights for disability benefits.
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