Common Workplace Injuries And How To Avoid Them

Do you own a small business? If so, then you already understand the common workplace injuries and the importance of keeping your employees as safe as possible.

And yet workplace accidents happen every single day. This can lead to serious injuries, resulting in lost wages, reduced productivity, and costly medical bills.

That’s why it’s so important to be able to recognize the potential for accidents before they happen. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place for help. This article takes a look at common workplace injuries and how you can put measures in place to avoid them. 

Keep reading to get the inside scoop.

1. Lower Back Strains

Let’s start with lower back strains. After all, many workplace environments require a certain amount of heavy lifting.  Due to the environment and the nature of the work, you put the lower back at risk every time you pick up something heavy.

The key to reducing the odds of a lower back injury is to always bend at the knees when picking something up, and wear a back belt for extra support.

2. Repetitive Strain Injuries

This is another serious problem that happens when employees perform repetitive tasks. In fact, it can be caused by something as simple as typing on a computer keyboard day after day.

RSI can affect any part of the body but is typically experienced in the hands, wrists, knees, and hips.

The key to reducing RSI is to try to break up your work routine as much as possible, take frequent breaks, perform stretching exercises several times a day, and look for ways of performing your work tasks less repetitively.

3. Cuts and Lacerations

When it comes to a busy work environment, cuts and lacerations are often difficult to avoid. After all, this type of injury can occur in an endless number of ways. 

Because of the high potential for cuts and lacerations in the workplace, it’s crucial to keep plenty of well-stocked first-aid kits throughout the building so that injuries can be dealt with quickly and efficiently. You can also visit the nearest first aid course training center and arrange a workshop for your employees to deal with any kind of emergency.

You should also evaluate the building to find opportunities for reducing the number of accidents that lead to cuts and lacerations. 

4. Toxic Fumes

Toxic fumes can be extremely dangerous, leading to illness or even death. It’s important to inspect your workplace for possible leaks and to take steps to reduce potential leaks in the future.

This resource can help reduce workplace accidents.

5. Equipment Collisions

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Many injuries happen when forklifts, battery-powered lift jacks, and other types of passenger equipment collide. The best way to reduce these accidents and increase warehouse safety is by properly training your employees and to mark the floor so that everyone has clearly-defined lanes to drive in.

6. Employee Fights

It’s not uncommon for employees to have conflicts. This can often lead to physical altercations, which in turn can result in serious injury. The best policy for reducing conflict-related injuries is to improve communication and encourage employees to speak to management before allowing tensions to escalate to the breaking point.

A Businessowner’s Guide to Common Workplace Injuries and Ways to Avoid Them

Running a successful business isn’t easy. Fortunately, this guide to common workplace injuries can help keep insurance and medical costs as low as possible.

Keep scrolling to find more useful small business and lifestyle tips on our blog.