Workplace injuries in the U.S. have increased in recent years. Employers and employees must commit to occupational safety practices and stop this unacceptable trend. Time off work due to injury results in losses for the employee and costs for the employer such as property damage, lower productivity, and administrative expenses. Fortunately, most workplace injuries can be prevented by following clear guidelines.
Unsafe contact with equipment is the third most common cause of workplace injuries. This includes being hit by a moving part, pushed into a piece of equipment, crushed by mechanisms in motion, or caught in collapsing machinery. Personnel working with electronics and power supplies also run the risk of injury through exposure to electricity.
To avoid equipment-related injuries, make sure that you purchase work safety gear from a reliable company that adheres to safety policies and engineering controls. Vehicles should be checked regularly for malfunctions. Employees should wear hardhats to avoid being hit by falling objects, and materials should be stored in secure locations. Personal protective equipment such as face shields, safety goggles, and ear protection should be readily available to all personnel.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are the second leading cause of injury and days away from the job. Slips occur when there is not enough friction for a person to keep his or her footing. Trips result from an employee hitting an object and losing his or her balance. Both slips and trips can end with a fall. Both often result in injury. Even minor falls can cause serious injury.
Companies can maintain safety by providing enough lighting in work areas, clearly marking wet or slippery floors, carefully stacking supplies and equipment away from walkways to provide clear passages, ensuring that cords and cables are properly secured, insisting on appropriate footwear, and providing safety equipment for those working at dangerous heights.
The leading cause of occupational injury is from overexertion and bodily reactions. People can be injured while lifting, pulling, carrying, or throwing objects, while completing small repetitive movements over extended periods, or when twisting, climbing, running, or kneeling. This type of injury can be avoided at work in the same way that it is prevented at home.
Employees should be advised to take the following measures: Stretch before strenuous activities or heavy lifting. Maintain good posture when sitting and walking. Lift objects with bent legs. Hold objects that you are carrying close to your body. Refrain from bending or twisting when lifting an object. Use a two-person lift when needed.