Each year millions of Americans are injured in workplace accidents. Injuries are considered work related when they either occurred at work or your job contributed to the injury in some manner. Listed below are some of the most common causes of workplace injuries.
Lifting Injuries
Injuries due to workers lifting things cause more work absences than any other workplace accident. The most common injuries reported with lifting are back injuries, muscle strain, sprains, and in some cases more serious injuries.
Falling Objects
Workers who are injured by falling objects generally are people who work in warehouses or other facilities that have some type of overhead storage. Machinery that carry piles of crates, boxes, or other work related materials, such as a hi-lo, need to have workers operate them who are properly trained. Even with all possible safety precautions in place, accidents can and do happen. Being hit with a falling object can cause head injuries, neck injuries, back injuries, and in some cases, even death.
Heavy Equipment Accidents
Many people who work at construction sites and manufacturing plants come into contact with heavy equipment on a daily basis. A piece of heavy equipment can malfunction, or be improperly maintained causing thousands of injuries every year to American workers.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Some of the most frequent workplace injuries are a direct result of a slip and fall accident. Common causes of slips and falls at work are due to slippery floors, leaks from machinery onto the floor, torn carpeting, electrical cords, and other hazards. Injuries in a slip and fall can include head injuries, back injuries, broken bones, strains and sprains, and in very severe cases, death.
Auto Accidents
You don't have to be a truck driver to be a victim of a work-related automobile accident. Millions of workers are injured each year in car accidents while traveling back and forth to work events, meetings, and other work related functions. Auto accidents are the leading cause of workplace deaths.
