Being familiar with injuries that might take place at work gives you a step ahead when it comes to its prevention, but being aware of how to avoid it from happening is a few miles ahead.
Here are the most common workplace injuries and how to avoid them.
1. Overexertion
Is when a person puts too much pressure on a certain part of the body. It is also the leading cause of injury in adults and is the most common reason for absence at work.
Cause
- Using excessive force
- Lifting and pulling/pushing heavy objects
- Repeated movement
- Staying in one position for a long period of time
Prevention
- Regular exercise to increase body strength and give your bones and muscles a daily stretch and warm-up.
- Practice proper posture when lifting objects – lift from your legs – and in doing any task.
- Give yourself an hourly break and do some stretching whenever you are in a sustained position for a while.
- Visit your doctor when you start feeling frequent numbness, pain, swelling, or loss of strength in any part of your body to avoid developing a full injury.
2. Struct or caught by a moving object
Different injuries could be minor to fatal, may come when a poorly guarded or maintained machinery/equipment or process goes out of hand.
Prevention
- Check your tools, machinery, and other equipment before using it to make sure it is operating well.
- Make sure that all items stored above ground are secured and nothing is left in a loose position.
- As much as possible, avoid storing heavier objects above the ground.
- Make sure to wear the safety gear whenever applicable.
- Always place safety signs or warnings to hazardous areas or objects that are not in good working condition.
- Secure proper handling of objects before lifting them to prevent slipping.
- Always make eye contact with the driver of a moving vehicle or operator of machinery before making your move so they know you are approaching.
- Always read safety signs and never use tools or operate a vehicle if not fully knowledgeable.
- Do not go near risky areas or moving vehicle/machinery if not necessary.
- Always walk behind moving equipment as much as possible.
3. Slip, Trips, and Falls
Severe injury may happen even at a low height; depending on the position and location of a person. This type of injury is seen everywhere in any workplace that is why it is also the third leading cause of injury-related deaths.
Prevention
- Do not do a risky task without the proper skills, tools, safety gear, and health condition – make sure you are not feeling faint, dizzy, etc.
- Look for potential hazards before doing the task.
- Avoid working or stepping in a slippery or wet area.
- Always make sure you are holding on to the ladder with both hands and one foot or vice versa.
- Secure the wall foundation, surfaces, or any platform your ladder is leaned on before starting to step/climb on it.
- Observe a distance of 1 ft. on every 4 ft. height when resting your ladder.
- Do not reach when you are on a ladder, ask for help.
- When you hear a weird sound coming from your chair or any platform, get it checked immediately.
Always follow safety precautions wherever you go because these injuries do not only happen at work but also everywhere. And whenever you are given the chance to attend safety training at work, don’t miss it because injuries happen in split seconds, which can be avoided with simple preparation and mindfulness.
Source:
https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/safety-topics/ergonomics-overexertion
https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/safety-topics/struck-by-objects
https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/safety-topics/slips-trips-and-falls
https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/tools-resources/infographics/workplace-injuries
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