As an employee, it’s necessary to be aware of the potential hazards in your workplace and to take steps to protect yourself from the pain and expense of physical injury. Here are a few kinds of injuries that are likely to be financially covered under workers compensation law.
Slips and Falls
Slips and falls are perhaps the most common cause of workplace injuries and can occur anywhere, from the factory floor to the parking lot to the client’s home. Wet or slippery surfaces, poor lighting, cluttered walkways and uneven flooring can all increase the risk of a slip, trip or fall.
To reduce your risk of injury, be sure to wear appropriate footwear, take care when walking on wet or slippery surfaces and report any hazards or maintenance issues to your employer. If you are injured from a slip or fall, contact a workers compensation attorney and begin documenting the injury and recovery process.
Repetitive Strain Injuries
Repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis are common among workers who perform repetitive tasks, such as typing and assembly line tasks. These types of injuries can be caused by awkward postures, constrained motions and high force movements.
To prevent repetitive strain injuries, take frequent breaks to move or stretch and use ergonomic equipment such as knee supports or ergonomic keyboards.
Manual Handling Injuries
Manual handling injuries such as sprains and strains (including back injuries) can occur when you lift, carry, pull or push heavy loads. These types of injuries are common among workers in industries such as construction, manufacturing and healthcare. This is why training for manual handling is usually a requirement for employees in various industries.
To reduce your risk of manual handling injuries, use proper lifting techniques every time. Ask for help when lifting particularly heavy loads.
Workplace Violence
Workplace violence can take many forms, including physical assaults, threats and harassment. This type of hazard is more common in industries such as healthcare, hospitality and retail.
To reduce your risk of becoming injured from workplace violence, be aware of possible warning signs such as threats, ignored boundaries and previous incidents of violence. Report any incidents of workplace violence or harassment to your employer immediately and create audio or video evidence of these events if it is safe to do so.
There are infinite different kinds of workplace hazards that can lead to injuries and illnesses. By being aware of the potential hazards in your workplace and taking steps to protect yourself, you can reduce your risk of injury and get the help you need in the event of a health problem.
