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Getting hurt on the job is a common occurrence. Some injuries are minor enough to be treated with over-the-counter medicines and bandages, whereas other injuries may require more intensive treatments and therapies.
According to attorney Todd A Kawecki, workplace hazards vary depending on the type of industry in which you work. Many manufacturing plants and warehouse jobs have different risks than those found in a medical clinic or law office.
Here are some of the most common workplace injuries suffered:
1. Falls
As harrispersonalinjury.com explains, falls are among the most common workplace injuries and can result from tripping, slipping, falling downstairs, falling off a ladder or being pushed. These accidents can be severe and can cause damage to your head and extremities. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may need months of recovery time before returning to work.
2. Fractures
Fractures are a common workplace injury, particularly in countries where manual labor is prevalent. If you work in a manual labor position, such as construction or mining, you may encounter risks of fractures due to heavy equipment moving around or falling on you.
3. Sprains/strains
According to www.clarklawnj.com, sprains and strains refer to an injury to the ligaments and muscles in your body. This type of injury occurs when a muscle or bone is not properly stretched, contracted or torn. These injuries are often minor and can be treated at home with over-the-counter medicines.
4. Explosion burns
Explosion burns occur when you accidentally breathe in a vapour that contains an alkali metal, such as sodium or potassium. If you inhale the vapour, it will burn your lungs and throat where it is absorbed. It can cause permanent damage to your respiratory system and require long-term treatment at a hospital burn unit.
5. Exposure to electric shock
When working with electricity, you can be exposed to an electric shock. Electric shocks are caused by prolonged exposure to an elevated voltage that can cause cardiac arrest. Electrical burns are also common due to the high temperatures at which electricity travels.
6. Exposure to toxic fumes/gas
Injuries related to toxic fumes and gases occur when you inhale a harmful chemical or gas from your workplace. Depending on the toxin, it can cause severe breathing problems and even death. These injuries can be fatal if you are exposed to a gas or breath-in dust.
7. Tripping
Tripping is common in many industries and occupations, particularly in manufacturing plants, construction sites, and warehouses where heavy equipment is present. Tripping accidents happen when you trip over something unexpected such as a person’s foot or piece of machinery. It can cause serious injuries such as head trauma and fractures of the neck or spine.
8. Electrocution
You can be exposed to a fatal electrical shock while working with electricity. This happens when you work with someone using power tools with an exposed blade. Electrocution results are similar to explosion burns and can cause severe damage to your respiratory system.
9. Hearing impairment/deterioration
If you work in an environment where noise levels are high, you can damage your hearing over time. You can also be exposed to loud noises when operating machineries such as jackhammers and saws. You may experience hearing impairment and should never wear ear protection in such cases.
10. Motor vehicle injury/accident
Motor vehicle injuries are common in any area where large trucks and cars come into contact. It can happen when you are involved in a crash with a truck or car and sustain injuries. They often occur on rural highways or roads that lack safety features such as guardrails, shoulders, and traffic lights.
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