No one should have to worry about being injured while at work, and yet it is shockingly common. Taking time off work to recover from an injury costs employers and employees. But, what can be done about it? Plenty.
Some of the most common workplace injuries (and how to avoid them) include:
- Slipping and falling: A wet or oily surface, occasional spills, or anything that reduces traction on the floor can present a slipping hazard.
How you can avoid slipping: Make sure your company pays attention to good housekeeping. This means providing good traction on floors, which can be achieved by laying down floormats when it rains and providing “caution” signs regarding slippery floors. As an employee, make sure you are wearing proper footwear with non-slip soles.
- Tripping and falling: A similar hazard to slipping is tripping. This can happen from obstructed walkways, poor lighting, wrinkled carpeting, uneven walking surfaces, and other hazards.
How you can avoid tripping: Report areas that are cluttered or obstructed to your employer.
- Vehicle-related accidents: If you use a company car as part of your job, you could eventually find yourself in an accident and facing serious injuries. You could be struck by another vehicle or hit by a car as a pedestrian.
How you can avoid vehicle-related accidents: If you are possibly at risk of a vehicle-related accident from your job, make sure you are well-oriented with safety protocol. If you are a pedestrian, make sure to stay on the walkways, and take extra caution if you work when it’s dark outside.
- Stress injuries: Overexertion and repetitive stress injuries are obviously less catastrophic than the typical car accident, yet they effects are often long-lasting and debilitating. These injuries may be related to pulling, lifting, carrying, holding, and throwing. Back pain costs employers an estimated $7.4 billion a year, and leads to more than 100 million lost workdays every year, too.
How you can avoid them: Learn to lift items properly, and bend at the waist instead of at the knees to carry or move heavier objects. If you’re lifting an object weighing over 50 pounds, ask for a coworker’s assistance, or use a lifting device such as a forklift. Another way to avoid repetitive stress injuries is by taking rest breaks whenever possible.
Suffering from a workplace injury? Schedule an appointment with us at ProFysio. You can contact us online or call us at (732) 812-5200. You can also schedule your appointment online.