Common Workplace Accidents

Accidents in the workplace occur approximately 1.6 million times a year. This is an alarming statistic, especially since most accidents, even minor ones signify a certain time away from work. It is therefore very important to identify the major causes of accidents as the first step in preventing them in order to reduce injury and health care costs.

Examples of common workplace accidents

Workplace accidents are categorized as trips or slips, falls, strikes from an object, lifting accidents, and falls from heights. Trips and slips are caused by clutter or slippery surfaces. This can be the result of floors not being properly mopped for spilled liquid or leaked machinery fluids. Clutter can also result in trips which can further lead to minor and sometimes major injuries. Defective flooring and poorly lighted areas can put workers at risk for tripping and slipping. Falls from heavy objects overhead can also occur when pulling boxes from shelves. Falls from heights are common in construction areas and in workplaces where tall ladders are used.

Dealing with common workplace accidents

Prevention is the best way to reduce the incidence of common accidents in the workplace. The installation of adequate lighting, cleaning up the floors of spilled fluids, clearing workspaces of clutter, and making sure that supportive devices for climbing atop tall heights are secure are just some of the measures one can take to prevent workplace accidents. Each workplace must also have emergency medical equipment available such as an emergency first aid kit or a nurse’s station to handle injuries before specialized treatment becomes available. If your job requires you to do some heavy lifting, such as in orderly or nursing aid jobs, it is better to condition your body for work. Develop stronger abdominal, hamstring and back muscles through regular exercise and strength training.