Workplace injuries lead to issues for both employers and employees. If an employee is hurt on the job, then they can receive worker's compensation insurance. As an employer, you want your workers to be safe and yet you don't want to payout extra money to your employees who aren't even able to come to work. Here are some of the most common ways employees are injured at work and how you can avoid it. It's important to know these things so you can keep your employees safe.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Repetitive motion injuries are something that people don't think about. An employee doing almost any job can get a repetitive motion injuries. Constant lifting, even lightweight objects, can cause problems with the knees and back. Using the computer all day, every day, can cause vision loss and carpel tunnel syndrome.
You can implement training to prevent these injuries. People who work on a computer should be off their computer during work breaks. People who are constantly bending or lifting should sit down during breaks. Muscles that are used all day should regularly be stretched and iced. Regular exercise will strengthen the entire body to make injuries less likely.
Machine Entanglement
If you have employees working with heavy machinery, they need to be trained first. These injuries can include hair, limbs, and clothing getting caught in the equipment. Implement a policy that states that people cannot operate equipment if they wear loose clothes. Their hair should also be up and away from their face. This will reduce the chance of an injury happening.
Fall
Falls happen easily when employees work on ladders and roofs. It's obvious falls are an issue, but that doesn't mean employees will always be extra careful. People rarely bother to wear safety equipment while working from an elevated surface. Making your employees wear safety harnesses when they work on an elevated surface will prevent them from becoming injured if they slip.
Vehicle Accidents
Accidents in company vehicles are a major cause for injury. Obviously, accidents aren't always avoidable since your employees can't control other drivers on the road. However, there are things you can do to make an accident less likely, at least when it comes to being at the fault of your employee. Don't let employees drive company vehicles during the end of a shift or during a double shift.
Also, employees shouldn't be driving on the road for longer than 80 minutes without a break. According to New Scientist magazine, after 80 minutes of driving, drivers become more dangerous on the road. Make sure your drivers have plenty of sleep between shifts and aren't out on the road too long.
Overexertion
If workers are doing a lot of pushing, pulling, or heavy lifting, they are prone to injuries from overexertion. They need to know how to be careful when moving around heavy objects. Your employees need to learn how to properly lift with their knees so they don't hurt their back. They should also be wearing back braces while lifting, pushing, and pulling heavy objects.
Slips & Falls
Slips and falls are a major cause of injury. These can happen for many different reasons. If water spills on a floor and no one cleans it up or puts up a "wet floor" sign, the water will catch them off guard. Pieces of broken floor, or other loose objects can cause your employees to trip, especially if they're carrying large and heavy objects. Your employees should always be on the lookout of liquid on the floors so it can be cleaned up immediately. Any broken tiles, cracks, or other issues should be fixed immediately.
These are some common workplace injuries that employees can have, and it's important to equip them with the knowledge and safety equipment to prevent them as often as possible. To learn more ways to protect your employees, visit resources like http://www.grdlaw.com/.
