What are the Most Common Workplace Accidents?
Workplace accidents are some of the most common reasons workers’ compensation claims are filed. Some jobs are more hazardous than others, but even a slip and fall accident can have devastating effects for employees in the workplace.
Many of these common accidents are caused by negligent activities. Employers cause accidents by taking shortcuts, failing to provide workers with a safe working environment, or failing to offer reasonable training on use and safety. Employers who do this are putting their workers at risk and may be held liable for any resulting injuries.
Here are some of the most common workplace accidents:
- Falls. Falls can happen in any work environment, and they can be deadly when workers fall from great heights. Something as simple as changing a lightbulb can turn into a deadly activity if the proper precautions are not in place. Often, falls are caused by clutter, slick flooring, unstable surfaces, or other negligent behaviors. The resulting injuries may range from a few bruises to broken bones, brain and spinal cord injuries, and death.
Prevention tips: Avoid injuries from falls by always using the appropriate procedures when climbing ladders, reviewing OSHA recommendations for workplace safety, and addressing any unsafe work factors with management when you see them.
- Slipping or tripping. Slipping or tripping because of slick conditions or when tools and other items are left out in the open often happen in conjunction with another type of injury causing conditions. Employees may slip and strike their heads or fall to the ground, causing significant injury that prevents them from working normally in the future.
Prevention tips: To reduce the risk of slipping or tripping, always evaluate your workspace for hazards. Wear nonslip shoes in environments prone to slipperiness.
- Vehicle accidents. Many employees are required to drive on the job. When workers get into accidents on the roadways during regular employment, an employer may be responsible for the accident. Vehicle accidents can be mild fender benders, or they can forever change a worker’s life.
Prevention tips: Make sure the vehicle you drive for work is properly maintained, avoid distractions, and follow the rules of the road to reduce your risk of being in an accident during working hours.
- Machine malfunctions. Machinery malfunctions can cause fires, explosions, and other injurious consequences. Many workers injured by a machine malfunction may suffer from life-altering disfiguring and function-reducing injuries like 3rd degree burns, amputation, and scarring.
Prevention tips: Always familiarize yourself with the way your machine works, and double check maintenance logs to ensure your machine is running properly. Avoid running a machine when you notice a problem.
- Being struck. Being struck by a falling or swinging object is a common accident in construction fields. A falling hammer can cause significant head and neck injuries, and other objects can similarly maim or impair an individual’s ability to work. In other fields, items falling off shelves or being dropped from ladders or balconies can also cause injury.
Prevention tips: Maintain awareness of your surroundings at work, and always use caution around precarious or high-risk areas. Always wear a hard hat if it is recommended for your job, and encourage others to keep a clean and safe work area.
Other common injury causing incidents are the result of repetitive motion work or overexertion. Proper training and adherence to safety protocols can eliminate much of the risk associated with workplace accidents, but these common types of workplace accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. Workers should contact a manager immediately to record the accident if they are injured on the job. Failing to do so could preclude them from receiving compensation if an injury becomes more problematic in the future. A competent Texas workplace injury attorney can help navigate this confusing time and help you get the compensation you need after suffering an injury at work.