Workplace Accidents - Causes, Challenges, And Prevention
Whether you are an employer or an employee, the last thing anyone would want to encounter is a workplace accident. Workplace accidents tend to be very common in some industries more than others, depending on the work type. However, they can happen anywhere – from construction sites to even the safest high-tech offices.
The OSHA found that over 20% of workers’ deaths in 2013 were in the construction field.
Causes of Workplace Accidents
It is a fact that every work environment is prone to accidents and injuries. Even though this is the general case, most workplace injuries and deaths happen in the construction and manufacturing industries.
It was calculated that there were nearly 900,000 workplace injuries and illnesses in the U.S.A in 2017. Here are some other workplace injury statistics based on insurance claim data.
● About 32 percent of all the injuries were caused by material handling.
● Falls and collisions contributed to 16% and 10% injuries, respectively.
● 30% of injuries across all the industries were due to tears, strains, and sprains.
● About 11% were caused due to overexertion activities like lifting, carrying, etc.
Most workplace injuries are caused by material handling, falls, and collisions. These situations are the most common in the construction, manufacturing, and service industries. Eye injuries, electric shocks, dislocations, and multiple trauma injuries are also common in such industries.
Although such injuries are common in manufacturing and construction industries, that does not mean that office jobs are free from such risks. Machine malfunction, slippery floors, and various other factors can lead to severe injuries in indoor work environments. Computerized jobs may also result in chronic eye, muscle, and health issues.
The Negative Impact of Workplace Accidents
Besides physical injuries, workplace accidents can also create short-term and long-term challenges for both the employee and business owners.
The primary type of damage that can be caused is the inability to work. When an employer gets injured while working, they might need to take some time off work to rest for an extended period. Major fractures can easily result in about three months of missed work, and one may need a month and a half to recover from strains and sprains.
Moreover, such accidents can also lead to legal and financial obligations that may burden the business. Even a single case of safety negligence can affect the business’s growth if money is needed to compensate for workplace injuries.
There is also a possibility that workplace accidents can mentally affect workers who start attributing their working environment as an unsafe place to work. This can also lead to a rise in resignations or protests against the business owners.
How to Prevent Workplace Accidents
The best way to keep your business running without workplace mishaps is by formulating strategies to reduce the possibility of such accidents. These measures include:
1. Promoting safety awareness and training, along with prioritizing safety.
2. Checking for safety hazards and informing employees about these concerns regularly.
3. Ensuring proper lighting at worksites to facilitate a comfortable working environment.
4. Ensuring that employees are provided with healthy work shifts.
5. Providing proper protective gear, such as safety masks, hard caps, grip shoes, etc.
If all these measures are taken seriously, workplace accidents can be significantly reduced, proving beneficial for businesses and people.
Finding The Right Lawyer For Your Workplace Injury Case
If you were injury at work, filing a lawsuit might be an option. Before jumping into the lawsuit, though, it is a good idea to consult with a personal injury attorney first. Most personal injury law firms handle workplace injury cases, making picking an attorney difficult because there are so many options. There are big firms, small firms, sole practitioners, and the ubiquitous settlement mills. Make sure you do your homework before deciding on an attorney and make sure they’re the right fit for you.
