Certain business sectors, such as construction, regularly face risks and potential dangers. They provide workplace safety measures and guidelines to follow to prevent Injured at work, accidents and mishaps. If you are an entrepreneur or you run a small business, you may think that your business and the type of work you do is safe; it is a common mistake. Employers and employees alike often underestimate the physical demands of daily tasks that can cause injury or accidents. When an organization underestimates the physical injuries of a job and workers lack the physical capacity to do the job, the risk of injury increases. The resulting work injuries may have significant effects for the employer, the employee and the workforce in general.
Understanding The Common Injuries At Work
Injuries can occur spontaneously or gradually. Sudden shock, sudden movements or poor bodily machineries can cause injuries at work that manifest themselves fast or gradually, as a result of micro trauma which ultimately causes pain and disability.
For instance, back injuries can be caused by sudden lifting of heavy loads or by improper body movements such as twisting your waist, stretching to reach an object, tasks performed at arm’s length, lifting and transporting objects that are difficult to take and hold and uncomfortable working positions, etc.
They can also be the concern of long activity which eventually tires the muscles. Injury-likely to situations are plentiful, so it is not surprising that 80% of North Americans experience a back injury in their lifetime.
Soft tissue injuries can affect various parts of the body. Ankle, knee, shoulder and wrist injuries are common while working in the industrial sector. These types of injuries are often caused by poor physical condition, previous injury, overwork, repetitive strain injury, or poorly designed tools.
It should not be forgotten that more mobile joints tend to sacrifice their stability and strength to increase their range of motion. This is why torn ligaments in the knees, strains in the shoulder, and wrist tendonitis are so common. Moreover, the wounds often reappear in the same place due to the laxity of the tendons and ligaments.
Mental Stress, An Important Risk Element
Mental stress has a big impact on the risk of injury at work. Stress activates the muscles, which tighten by reflex, which predisposes them to injuries and spasms. Psychosocial factors, such as job dissatisfaction, lack of companionship and financial worries, contribute as much as physical factors to the incidence of lower back pain. In addition, mental stress can lead to poor sleep patterns and tiredness.
Safety management systems that take into account work-related to physical and mental stress are therefore better able to reduce muscle system disorders in the industrial sector. If you need information on personal injury lawyer may visit Alvine Weidenaar, LLP
Here are some tips to protect yourself against being injured at work, common workplace accidents and reduce the risks to your business.
- Avoid Slips and Falls
Accidents related to falls, slips and trips are frequent in several activity sectors, including the municipal sector. The congestion of places, slippery floors, uneven steps and floors, dangerous steps, ice outside buildings, worn work shoes are all possible causes for this type of event.
Repair damage floors that could cause someone to slip and fall, and don’t leave anything lying around in the hallways, entries and exit points. Outside, make sure that all of the driveways are career and that an abrasive is spread there immediately after a snowfall.
- Be aware of electrical risks
If multiple devices are plugged into your offices, install these in an uninterruptible power supply to protect your computers and prevent power surges. If renovations are carried out that affect electrical systems, move workers to a safe workplace. - Limit manual movement and lifting
If staff need to regularly lift things, make sure they have access to those that are difficult to reach. If workers have to lift heavy items, make sure they have the right tools and know how to use them safely. - Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in plain sight
If you work in a large office, put several kits in it. Ensure that a staff member has received first aid training. - Develop an emergency action plan
Identify emergency exits, do fire drills, coordinate safe meeting places and create a system for tracking where employees are. - Identify employees who may need additional help in an emergency
Plan with them what can be done to keep them safe and make sure your offices are accessible and ready for fire, power outages and other unexpected events. - Encourage fire safety
Identify potential fire hazards in your offices and explain to staff how fire extinguishers work. - Avoid personal injury by storing items securely
Place heavy items close to the floor and evenly distribute the weight of items in cabinets and on shelves. - Reduce back pain and repeat injuries
Make sure office chairs are properly adjusted and computer screens are at the correct height for each user. Good ergonomic practices will contribute to the longevity and health of employees who work all day at their desks. - Protect your business from water damage
Maintain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment regularly. Hoses and other system components could leak, making your workplace wetter than it should be which could lead to other problems, such as mold.
The Real Cost Of Injury
Injury at work can result in significant costs to the worker due to absence, worker replacement, training, insurance, and others. In fact, the cost of recruiting and training replacement workers and the cumulative negative impact of workers health problems or injuries on performance and morale far outweigh the cost of absenteeism.
Author’s Bio
Ikhraaf Qaiser is a blogger, and a content writer. He writes SEO content on law and education and provides digital marketing services to companies and individuals.
