Even with proper safety measures and OSHA guidelines in place, workplace injuries still occur sometimes in very unsuspecting ways. According to the Houston Chronicles, the leading causes of injury in the workplace include negligence, hazardous materials, stress and overexertion. Exposure to hazardous materials can lead to serious injuries, including respiratory diseases and skin infection. To minimize the risk of injury and fatalities caused by hazardous materials, toxic materials and chemicals used in the workplace must be handled with protective gear and lots of care.
Overexertion in the workplace is a serious vulnerability that often causes mental and physical exhaustion. A worker in this state can easily make a poor judgment that may prove costly to him and others in the vicinity, more so when operating a machine. It is important to note that thousands of workplace violations are repeatedly cited by OSHA every year. Some of these violations can be prevented by simple acts like guarding the machines, wearing respiratory protection, instituting a fall protection plan and effective communication.
List of 5 unusual workplace injuries, according to an Arbil Safety Blog assessment:
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Repetitive motion injuries – this form of workplace injury is usually less obvious to notice at first but can be very serious in the long term. The repetitive action can be as harmless as typing on a computer keyboard for lengthy periods, however, the long term may include back pain and vision problems. Employers can minimize the risk of injury by encouraging the use of ergonomic equipment and safety training.
2. On work violent acts – acts of violence in the workplace can creep from various transgressions, including a simple disagreement among workers. In some cases, these acts can lead to physical fights with devastating effects such as physical injury or damage to the workplace. To stem these violent acts, employers need to stay on the lookout for suspicious activities and ensure the staff is adequately trained.
3. Machine entanglement – the entanglements often occur in workplaces with heavy machinery and equipment. The injuries can happen when machinery comes into contact or pulls a worker’s shoes, hair, fingers or clothing. One way to deal with these issues is educating employees on the need to wear protective gear when working on the machinery.
4. Falling object injuries – if objects are placed loosely on a shelf, injuries can arise from falling objects. The most common being head injuries. To avoid falling object injuries, the work environment must be made safe and hazard free at all times. Employees also need to wear protective gear such as helmets and gloves whenever the situation demands.
5. Reaction injuries – this type of injury is difficult to prevent but can cause various problems from body trauma to muscle injuries among others. Most reaction injuries are caused by tripping and slipping, but these normally don’t lead to a fall. Employees can reduce instances of reaction injuries by staying alert and aware of the happenings around them.
Hunter Law Group
Workplace injuries can result in loss of wages, hospitalizations and fatalities. On the broader picture, the injuries incurred in the course of work can impact staff morale, insurance rates, rate of productivity and the amount of compensation. Employers and employees are legally bound to report work related injuries as a way to remedy the situation and keep the workplace safe. The Hunter Law Group’s personal injury attorney Tampa has many years of experience fighting on behalf of the clients injured as a result of medical malpractices, dog attacks, lower back pain, slip and fall accidents and workplace injuries. The personal injury attorney Tampa operates, fully aware of their mission to deliver individualized solutions as described in the law firm’s core value proposition. This is all done to ensure clients get their rightful compensation and carry on with their lives without much interruption.
