Each year, around 5,000 Americans are killed as a result of fatal injuries in the workplace, with around a 100,000 more seriously hurt as a result of accidents that have taken place whilst carrying out their job. These high numbers are extremely worrying and raise some concern over how safe we actually are in the workplace or whether we are constantly putting ourselves at risk. We’ve found some of the most common causes of fatal injuries in the workplace, with some recommendations and suggestions to help you avoid these accidents as much as you possibly can.
Falling From Height
With so many construction and maintenance workers using ladders to carry out their jobs, it seems hardly surprising that many work-related injuries have been caused by falling onto the floor from a significant height. Whilst it’s still possible to get injured if you’re wearing a helmet and protective equipment, your injuries are more likely to be less fatal than if you fall without wearing any of this PPE. For whatever reason, some construction workers don’t wear the correct equipment or wear it correctly, which means that they are putting themselves into danger each time they take the risk of working without protecting themselves. If you’ve been fatally injured in a similar accident at work, a worker’s comp lawyer can help you to file a lawsuit against your employer – you could potentially receive compensation for the trauma and time off work you’ve had to take.
Slipping Over
A trip or slip in the workplace can actually cause significant injuries to the back and head of an employee – especially if they land heavily on a hard surface. It is practically impossible to predict or prevent someone from slipping over, but there are ways that you can avoid trip hazards or slippery surfaces. Try to keep all electrical wires from devices in one area, or along the walls, so that everyone can take care when walking near them. Additionally, ensure that everyone in the workplace has been trained on health and safety, so that they know what to do if water or other liquids are spilt.
Hit by a Vehicle
If you’re on a construction site, there are constant moving dangers as vehicles or cranes move large loads around. Even beyond the construction site, there is always a danger that an employee could get hit by a car in the loading bay for your business, or in the car park of your office. To prevent these fatal accidents, areas where there are staff driving vehicles should have to move at low speeds, and pedestrians should be made aware of the moving vehicles. If staff are working in construction or in loading bays, they should wear bright high-visibility jackets, so that they can be easily seen by other drivers.
Accidents from falling off high platforms, or from tripping over, are difficult to prevent completely, but the risks of a fall can be mitigated by ensuring that all staff wear the correct protective equipment when working from heights, are trained to use their tools or assistive equipment properly, and are cautious when putting themselves into potentially dangerous situations.
