Workplace injuries are inconvenient and expensive. The moment employees injuries themselves at work you need to complete a form assessing the injury, how it happened, and what action needs to be taken. There is a set process that needs to be followed.
The cost to the business can be significant. You need to replace the member of the staff temporarily and may need to cover a payout to the injured employee.
That’s why it’s important to understand the top 5 workplace injuries and how to prevent them.
1. Lifting Incorrectly
Any lifting, at work or at home, should be done to minimize the stress placed on your back. This means bending your knees and having a good grip on the item. It also means knowing your limits and getting help when necessary.
Bad lifting procedures can give you herniated discs, muscle strain, pinched nerves, or even spinal cord damage.
From an employer perspective, the risk can be mitigated through proper training. You should instigate a training course that shows every employee how to lift properly and every employee should sign to confirm they have received the training.
In addition, the training should be updated annually and reports made if any employee is seen lifting incorrectly. This protects the employee and the employer.
2. Trips & Falls
Trips and falls can cause a huge array of injuries, from sprains to broken bones, or even more serious issues. One of the most common causes of trips and falls is wet floors or cluttered spaces.
Again, training is essential so that employees are aware of the risks associated with wet floors and clutter. Daily inspections should also be undertaken to ensure clutter is removed or not created in the first place.
Even cables that run along the floor should be properly taped down and covered.
3. Equipment Failure or Entanglement
This can be one of the most serious injuries. Machine failure or an employee operating it carelessly can result in the loss of limbs. Less serious injuries can also occur.
Again, you’ll need to focus on training for all employees to ensure they all know how to use the equipment properly. You should also ensure they have all the relevant PPE work safety gear for the job they’re doing. This will help to keep them safe.
In addition, you should have all equipment maintained regularly to ensure it is working properly and safeguards are doing their jobs.
4. Staff Issues
Workplace assaults and bullying may seem hard to control and difficult to state as an employer issue. But, all employers have a duty of care over employees. This means eradicating this type of behavior which can cause serious physical and emotional trauma.
You need an established conflict resolution procedure that allows employees to declare issues in confidence and give you the opportunity to resolve the issue satisfactorily.
Making sure all employees are aware of the procedures will help to encourage reporting and even prevent incidents from happening.
5. Falling Objects
The risk of this is relatively low in most workplaces. But, it is one of the injuries that causes the most fatalities.
All employees need to be trained on the risks of working at heights, to prevent items being dropped. It is also essential that all items stored at heights are properly secured and checked regularly. If possible, keep the storage area separate from the general workspace.