5 Common Workplace Injuries

There are a number of common workplace injuries that you should be aware of. Some are accidental, while others are the result of negligence or lack of safety protocols. If you have experienced one of these injuries, reach out to the attorneys at Best & Flatt, today.

Repetitive strain injury

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a type of musculoskeletal disorder caused by repetitive motions. It can cause pain, swelling and stiffness in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders and neck. RSI can also be caused by poor posture or using a computer or phone for long periods of time without taking breaks.

Falls

Falls are the most common cause of workplace injuries in 2021. Falls can occur when there is a lack of handrails, slippery floors or uneven surfaces. Tripping over objects is also an issue that can lead to falls. If you are working in an environment where these hazards exist, it is important that you take precautions to avoid injury.

Exposure to harmful substances

Exposure to harmful substances is the most common workplace injury in 2021. Workers' skin and eyes are constantly exposed to harmful substances, including chemicals, dusts, gases and vapors. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that 1 in 4 workers suffer an injury from exposure to these substances on the job every year.

The most common types of harmful substances include:

• Chemicals (the top cause of workplace injuries with chemicals)

• Dusts

• Gases

• Vapors

Some examples of chemicals commonly found at work sites include: hydrochloric acid; asbestos; mercury compounds; formaldehyde (used in construction materials); benzene (found in gasoline). The type of work you do often determines what kind of hazardous substance you may be exposed to on any given day. For example, if you are a maintenance worker who works at an oil refinery or chemical factory then your risk for exposure will be much greater than that faced by office workers who sit behind desks all day long without leaving their building!

Heavy machinery injuries

Heavy machinery injuries are a common workplace occurrence. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that approximately 2 million non-fatal occupational injuries occur each year, with about 90 percent of those caused by manual material handling equipment.

• Use heavy machinery safely: Wear proper clothing and shoes when operating heavy machinery to prevent injury from entanglement or falling objects.

• Know your limits: Do not exceed the recommended capacity for any piece of heavy machinery you're operating—this can increase the risk of injury and damage to both users and the equipment itself.

• Stay alert: Stay focused on what you're doing while using heavy machinery so that if anything goes wrong, you'll be able to react quickly enough to avoid serious injury.

It is important for companies to provide adequate training for employees and to create awareness about the hazards of certain jobs. Even with safety training and PPE, accidents still happen. If you were hurt on the job, don’t delay; call Best and Flatt attorneys at 803-252-1800 to learn how you can get compensated for your suffering.