10 Most Common Causes of Workplace Injuries

What would you guess is the most common type of Workers’ Compensation injury?

If you guessed overexertion injuries, you would be right. This broad category includes those injuries related to lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling and holding.

Every year, 3 million American workers suffer non-fatal injuries or illnesses that are job-related. However, in 2016, 5,180 workers were killed on the job. These numbers are much too high, especially when you consider that the vast majority of on-the-job injuries are preventable.

Top 10 Causes of On-the-Job Injuries

After overexertion injuries, the next most common workplace injuries are:

• Trip or slip and fall. Workplace hazards such as wet floors, spills, and wires or debris on the floor can cause a slip and fall accident. Employers must have safety procedures for prompt cleaning up of spills and keeping floors clear of debris.
• Falling from a height. These accidents often occur in construction where workers are on ladders and roofs, but can occur anywhere there are stairs too. Training and proper protective gear along with employee diligence can reduce these accidents.
• Reaction injuries. Muscle injuries and other medical problems can occur when a worker slips or trips but does not fall.
• Falling objects. Head injuries are often the result when objects are dropped by another worker or fall from shelves. Protective gear such as a hard hat along with keeping the workplace free of hazards can reduce the incidence of these injuries.
• Walking into objects. These are more common than you might think, when workers run into stationary objects such as walls, glass windows, furniture and doors, suffering head, neck, knee, and foot injuries.
• Vehicle accidents. While driving for work, auto, and truck accidents can occur and they can also be fatal. Employee training and experience along with employer safe-driving policies can reduce the risk of these accidents.
• Machine entanglement. Wherever heavy equipment and machinery are used, such as in manufacturing and factories, there is the danger of having fingers, hair, and clothing entangled in the machines causing severe injuries.
• Repetitive motion. Any motion performed frequently enough can strain tendons and muscles as well as cause carpal tunnel syndrome and vision problems. Examples of harmful repetitive movements include typing, using the computer, hammering, packaging and meat cutting.
• Violence. Serious physical injuries can result from attacks in the workplace. Workplace violence training and employer security efforts can reduce the incidence of these attacks.

Safety in the workplace must be a partnership between the employer’s responsibility to create a safe work environment and the worker’s responsibility to follow procedures and be cautious on the job.

We Can Help With Your Social Security Disability Application and Appeal

If you or a loved one has been denied Worker’s Compensation or Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, contact the Kenton Koszdin Law Office. Call 800.438.7734 for your initial free consultation, either in our office or in the comfort of your own home. Kenton Koszdin, Social Security attorney serving Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, can help you navigate the application process for the best possible outcome for you and your family.