1. Strains and Sprain
Strains and sprains of muscles, ligaments, and tendons frequently occur in all kinds of industries. Some of the most common causes of strain or sprain injuries include:
2. Punctures
Puncture or perforation injuries involve a worker being stabbed or impaled by some object, which can be as small as a nail or as large as a fork on a forklift. Common causes of puncture injuries include:
3. Contusions
“Contusion” is the medical term for bruising. While bruising is often not a serious matter, significant, widespread bruising accompanied by severe pain may indicate a much more serious injury. Contusions can result from:
4. Lacerations
A laceration or cut could be a minor injury that only requires an adhesive bandage. However, more severe lacerations may require stitching and leave a worker with permanent scarring. The most severe lacerations can even lead to life-threatening blood loss. Workers often suffer lacerations because of:
5. Overexertion
An overexertion injury occurs when an employee continues working to or past the point of exhaustion. Working in an exhausted state can cause injury to muscles and other soft tissues. Fatigued workers are also much more likely to injure themselves by lifting improperly or making another mistake. Overexertion occurs when:
Tips for Preventing Common Workplace Injuries
Employers and employees can take steps to help reduce the risk of sustaining a workplace injury. Useful tips for preventing common work injuries include:
- Ensuring that workers have all necessary protective personal equipment, particularly when working with or around potentially dangerous equipment or hazardous materials.
- Offering employees ergonomic tools and workstations.
- Rotating workers on and off tasks, particularly when tasks place workers in hazardous situations. That can help reduce a worker’s exposure to a potential accident as well as potentially avoid overexertion.
- Placing buffer zones between workers and potential hazards. For example, employers may want to place barriers between workers and running machinery or between workspaces and travel lanes for forklifts or other motorized equipment.
- Providing proper training to workers, including making sure that workers are trained in the safe operation of equipment or machinery they are expected to use, as well as fostering a safety culture in the workplace.
If you have been hurt at work, contact Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney about your right to seek the benefits you need.
