How to avoid the most common workplace injuries

There are four most common workplace injuries.

• Overexertion and bodily reaction
• Falls, slips, and trips
• Contact with objects and equipment
• Transportation incidents

All of these injuries can be avoided or mitigated in the workplace with a diligent plan by employers.

Overexertion and bodily reaction

The BLS categorizes 282,860 incidents as “overexertion and bodily reaction,” making it one of the most common work-related injuries for private companies. Fit Small Business points out that every employee is in danger of this, and employers can mitigate this danger by:

• Training employees on smart lifting practices, such as using with their knees
• Mandating the use of safety harnesses, back braces, and lift aids
• Requiring frequent breaks for employees who maintain a particular position for sustained periods
• Investing in ergonomic furniture
• Encouraging employees to change tasks when possible

Falls, Slips, and Trips

OSHA lists falls, trips and slips as one of the fatal four accidents for the construction industry, but the reality is that these accidents can happen in any workplace. Simple precautions, such as non-slip shoes and the immediate clean-up of spills, can make all the difference to keeping employees safe in the workplace.

Contact with Objects and Equipment

OSHA categorizes these as “struck-by” injuries, and the cause can be anything from a hit on the head by a hammer or a bump form a speeding golf cart. More than 1/4 of all injuries are due to “struck-by” injuries. Fit Small Business points out that these injuries are most often caused by faulty equipment and a lack of safety training, but an employer could have all the precautions and still have one of these injuries at the workplace due to an inattentive employee.

Transportation Injuries

According to Small Fit Business, transportation incidents only make up about 5.6% of all nonfatal workplace injuries. However, they caused more worker deaths (2,080) in 2018 than the top three workplace injuries on our list combined (1,595).

The best way to avoid transportation injuries is to quickly eliminate repeat offenders. Continuous monitoring makes this possible in real time. If you have continuous monitoring for your drivers, their records are checked at the frequency of your choice: monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly. Information on this report may include driver’s license information, point history, violations, convictions, and license as well as any restrictions on use and the status of the current license.

Protect your workplace with diligent planning and surveillance. Occupational Medicine and Safety Surveillance allows you to do just that.