Depending on the nature of work you do, industrial accidents are probably the most common type of workplace accident. If you’re an employer who runs an organization with more than 50 employees, you should make sure you offer them a conducive and safe environment. There are authoritative bodies like OSHA or Occupational Safety and Health Administration that are there to guarantee the safety of employees. OSHA is believed to be a regulatory organization that works under the labor department. It has the motive of minimizing the total number of workplace accidents in America.

What are workplace accidents according to OSHA? These are unplanned events that occur suddenly and that cause damage either to the property or to the person involved. This is why OSHA is of the opinion that workplaces should have SHMS Safety and Health Management System for reducing accidents. You can also ask a workers’ compensation lawyer and he will tell you about the occurrence of workplace accidents and how to deal with them. Let’s take a look at the most common types of workplace injuries that occur in workplaces.

  • Strain in muscles and overexertion

Overexertion injuries like repetitive strain injuries (RSI) or muscle strains can lead to long-term debilitating pain and even loss of productivity. What are the causes of such occupational injuries? They can be caused by:

  • Lifting heavy objects
  • The improper technique of lifting heavy objects
  • Jumping to another level
  • Constant work with no breaks
  • Microtasks on a factory line
  • Suddenly collapsing structure
  • Carrying, pushing, lifting, or throwing things
  • Moving a mouse without proper ergonomics

The employer should possess the necessary training on the perfect way of performing the tasks correctly. He should know how to prevent and cure muscle strains.

  • Trips, falls and slips

Trips, slips, and falls are a few of the common types of injuries that can occur at your workplace. Slips, trips, and falls are also the reason behind the maximum number of workers’ compensation claims. Such accidents will include the following:

  • Slipped on wet, oily, and icy floor
  • Tripped due to unkempt holes, unprotected sides, clutter, or poor lighting
  • Fell off roofs, ladders, or skyscrapers during construction works

It is possible to prevent such injuries by being aware of the surrounding area and by following the OSHA fall protection tips and advice.

  • Struck by equipment, workers, or falling objects

Workers often have to work on counters having sharp edges or that are against the wall. Such risky working conditions can lead to serious head or hand injuries. You can also sustain injuries like severed fingers or limbs, stress fractures, traumatic head injuries, blindness, or full breakage of bones. Workplace injuries are caused by:

  • Slipping tools, materials, or debris
  • Machinery that is poorly guarded
  • Dropped loads
  • Excessive vibration
  • Tipping over heavy equipment
  • Walking into machinery or walls
  • Bumping into some hard equipment or object

Therefore, now that you know the most common types of workplace injuries, if you get any of the above-listed injuries, you should immediately speak it out with a personal injury attorney.

Author's Bio: 

Marina Pal is a renowned author and social media enthusiast.