The most common workplace injuries

If you hear about someone suffering injuries while working construction or manufacturing, you may not be surprised. Certain jobs carry much higher risks for injuries. However, no job is completely safe, and the most sedentary occupations may still pose hazards, even if you don’t hear about them as often as the tragedies on construction sites or in factories.

The most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics shows that nearly 2.8 million people suffer injuries on the job each year. The BLS has tabulated the most common injuries and offers certain recommendations for staying safe on the job.

Muscles and tendons take a beating

One day at work, you may have felt a tearing in your shoulder, back or leg. Perhaps you had pulled or pushed something that was too heavy, or you tried to lift something improperly. Overexertion is the most common cause of injuries in the workplace. Such injuries result in the greatest financial loss to employers because they typically cause employees to miss work and file complicated claims for workers’ compensation.

You do not have to work at building North Carolina skyscrapers to suffer these kinds of injuries. If you have developed poor posture and a weak core from prolonged sitting or standing, or your job requires repetitive motions such as typing or sorting, you may be more susceptible to overexertion injuries. Safety experts advise that you stay healthy, use protective equipment and adhere to safety protocol to prevent these injuries.

Slip and fall injuries

Serious injuries from falls do not occur only on construction sites. Ground-level falls are among the most common workplace accidents, and they can be quite dangerous, even fatal. You may suffer a few scrapes or bruises at best, but some falls can cause broken bones or serious head injuries. The best way to avoid such falls is to remain alert for wet spots or tripping hazards on the floor. Do your part to prevent others from falling by making them aware of hazards and keeping the work area orderly.

The following round out the list of the most common types of workplace injuries:

• Contact with objects, such as falling tools or heavy equipment
• Accidents involving transportation
• Workplace violence
• Exposure to toxic or hazardous substances

You can take every possible precaution and still find yourself injured in a workplace accident. It is important that you seek the medical attention you need and report the injury to your supervisor right away so he or she can begin the process of filing for workers’ compensation.