Common Workplace Accidents That You Need To Be Aware Of

No one likes to think about the possibility that they will get injured at work. Accidents happen far too often, and those injuries can range from minor to life-threatening. It is important to be aware of what kind of accidents are common in your workplace so you can take steps to mitigate their occurrence.

Slips And Falls

Slips and falls are responsible for more than one million injuries in the workplace each year. No one likes to think about the possibility that they will get injured at work, but it’s important to be aware of common accidents that can occur so you can take steps to mitigate their occurrence. If this might happen to you, make sure to contact a slip and fall attorney in Colorado Springs to help you with your case. Slipping is easy enough to do even if someone tries not to because without proper precautions it’s pretty hard to stop slipping. It’s important to be aware of where there might be a slip hazard like areas with water spillage or uneven floor surfaces.

Keep an eye out for clutter on walkways and stairs as well because those could cause people to lose their footing altogether which makes slips harder avoidable. If someone does happen to fall, take them immediately and get checked out by medical professionals who will determine whether they need further treatment or not.

Electrocution

Electrocution is one of the most common workplace accidents that happen around the world. Every year, there are many reports of people who get electrocuted at their workplace or while conducting repairs on electrical equipment in their homes. Electrocution occurs when an electric current runs through your body and causes muscle spasms, numbness throughout your entire body, seizures, respiratory failure, and even death if not treated immediately.

When it comes to safety, electrocution is the number one workplace hazard. This occurs when an electrical current enters your body through one point and exits out of another part at over 30 milliamps (mA). The threshold for injury depends on voltage; if the power supply exceeds 50 volts AC or 60 Hz, you can be electrically shocked. If this happens, call 911 immediately because hyperkalemia may occur causing cardiac arrest which leads to death in some cases.

Fires

Fires can be very dangerous and cause significant damage to your workplace. Fires in warehouses are particularly hazardous because of the nature of the materials stored there. You need to ensure that everyone knows what they should do if a fire occurs and how best to fight it when it does happen. Always have an evacuation plan for fires, but don’t just run out without any equipment – you might need it later on! Have at least two exits from every room so that people can get away quickly and safely even if one or another is blocked by smoke or flames. Get rid of anything flammable such as old cardboard boxes filled with paper scraps, oily rags kept too long, chemicals improperly stored, etc., otherwise, they will fuel a potential fire.

A fire extinguisher should be kept in every room and employees trained how to use one if a fire breaks out. Ensure that there are at least two exits from each area so people can get away quickly even if one is blocked by smoke or flames. Anything flammable must either be cleared from the warehouse entirely, put into an appropriate storage unit, or covered with water so it doesn’t pose a threat of catching on fire during normal operations.

Back Injuries

Back injuries are an all too common workplace accident. They are often caused by repetitive movements or behaviors that can put a lot of stress on your back, such as lifting heavy objects without proper support, sitting for long periods of time in one position with poor posture, and repeatedly reaching up to high shelves. It is important for workers who spend their days working at computers to maintain good ergonomic habits so they don’t have to worry about developing injuries from the workstation itself. 

If the load is too heavy, consider asking another co-worker to help move it instead of doing it all by yourself. Also, be sure never to lift anything with a rounded edge as this puts extra pressure on one part of your back which increases risk factors for injury. It is also important for employers to place signs or labels near work areas so that workers know what types of hazards they might face if working in those locations. Employers should also have a safety officer who educates employees about workplace safety practices, including the appropriate ways to lift heavy objects and proper techniques for using equipment such as ladders, scaffolding, or forklifts. 

Workplace Violence

in the form of physical assault is a major concern in many organizations. The most common type of workplace violence reported by employers is acts of verbal abuse, threats, or intimidation, which can take various forms including yelling at colleagues and subordinates; shouting obscenities across the office; making derogatory remarks about others’ work performance to their superiors or co-workers; or posting offensive materials on bulletin boards or intranet sites for all employees to see.

A recent study found that only 32% of employees who had been subjected to violent acts reported it. This can all be prevented by having strong workplace policies and enforcing them. These kinds of issues are not unique to any industry either; they happen everywhere from restaurants, warehouses, factories – you name it!

The best thing for business owners/managers to do when these problems arise is to make sure their team knows what steps should be taken if something happens…and follow through with disciplinary action accordingly. This will help protect employee rights while also getting the word out about your company’s zero-tolerance policy.

Make sure to be informed about the many forms of typical workplace accidents that may occur. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to avoiding harm and injuring your coworkers in a hazardous working environment. These suggestions should help you get started on being more aware of what these typical workplace injuries can look like and how to avoid them.