Work-related injuries are unfortunately common when a workplace is not safe enough for employees. The burden of responsibility lies with employers to take preventable measures and mitigate the impact of workplace injuries.
The Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index of 2023 states that many reasons lead to workplace injuries. Some workplace injuries force the injured employees to take leave for 3-5 days. On the other hand, some workplace injuries are life-changing and can force a worker out of the workforce indefinitely.
Before leaving a position, employees should verify whether their injury was caused or influenced by the negligence actions of other workers, management, or lax workplace safety protocols. If you suffered harm due to someone else’s error, an Atlanta personal injury attorney may be able to assist with your case.
Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at the main causes of workplace injuries in 2023:
Slips and Trips
You’d be surprised how many employees slip in break rooms and office kitchens. In fact, these are hotspots when it comes to workplace injuries. Typically, there are splashed liquids on the floor that someone forgot to clear, and it ends up causing workplace injury.
Even if you wax or mop tile and hardwood flooring, they’re still highly hazardous when it comes to slips. Footwear is another element that can increase the chances of a slip and fall accident. Employees who wear worn-out shoes experience the most slips in office kitchens.
Staff members may accidentally leave out items in office corridors. This can easily cause someone to trip and get hurt, particularly when there is poor lighting. Poorly lit corridors, stairs, and hallways are hotspots for workplace injuries.
Stress
Excessive workload often ties together with stress and can be a contributing factor of workplace injuries. Stress can be caused by health issues, finances, anxiety, or worries over job security. Stress can include one or more elements that can distract workers and make the work environment unsafe. Continuous work stress often goes unchecked and increases the risk of hypertension, stroke, or heart attack.
Fatigue
Severe fatigue can cause significant mental and physical exhaustion. In some cases, fatigue may reach a point where it becomes to impair an employee’s judgment, motor skills, and reflexes. An employee with clouded thinking and a delayed ability to respond to nearby threats is at risk of serious harm. When an emergency occurs, they may be unable to safely escape the situation without suffering harm.
Hazardous Materials
When a workplace has onsite hazardous materials, employees can be at risk of catastrophic harm if proper safety measures are not implemented and followed. Potential risks include explosions, chemical burns, skin infections, respiratory diseases, blindness, amputations, and broken bones. Workers must be properly trained on how to operate around, dispose of, and protect themselves from hazardous substances. Workplace safety protocols must be sensible and followed at all times.
Falling Objects
Companies often have items of heavy furniture, like large filing components, vending machines, or bookcases. When these items are not properly anchored to a wall, they may fall if someone bumps into them or an earthquake occurs. Crushing injuries may occur, which can lead to life-threatening wounds or the loss of a limb.
Workplace Violence
Companies usually take prompt security measures and minimize direct access to outsiders. Still, there is often a cause for concern about someone barging into the office and causing trouble. In the past, angry ex-employees and estranged spouses have managed to illegally enter the workplace and create havoc for other innocent workers. Employees and managers need to be prepared to adequately handle phone threats, direct security violations, and suspicious packages.
Lifting
Employees may feel pressured to lift heavy objects unsafely, particularly if they work in a warehouse or factory. If an employee is unsure whether they can safely lift an item, they should request assistance. Doing so reduces the chances of an employee suffering a back injury.
Final Thoughts
Even the most careful workers may suffer an unexpected workplace injury through no fault of their own. Unsafe work conditions or operating protocols can put employees at a risk of avoidable injuries, which should never be acceptable. Maintaining top-notch safety protocols and preventing workplace injuries takes collective effort and vigilance across all levels, and this should be a priority across all industries.
