SAFETY
The Most Common Work-Related Injuries
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n construction safety is a major concern given the heavy use of machinery as well as working at heights however in many instances in Africa even the most basic provision of work helmets is not adhered to. The following are common work-related injuries and some of the steps that employees need to take when filing workers’ compensation claims. Back and Soft-tissue Injuries Muscle, disk, and tendon strains, sprains, and tears are by far the most common types of injuries that employees sustain on the job, accounting for millions of dollars in compensation every year. There are multiple types of soft-tissue injuries, some of which require only a few days of rest to recover from, while others result in permanent disability. Some of the specific back and soft-tissue injuries that workers may suffer include: Repetitive Motion Injuries Also known as repetitive stress injuries, repetitive motion injuries are either permanent or temporary injuries to nerves, muscles, tendons, or ligaments resulting from performing the same motion repeatedly. These actions can include typing, hammering, lifting, or even examining items. Repetitive motion can cause pain all over the body including the arms, wrists, shoulders, and neck. The most common condition that results from repetitive motion in the workplace is carpal tunnel syndrome. Vision problems can also frequently arise if the eyes are strained. Overextension Overextension is another common type of injury that results from motions such as pushing, pulling, gripping, lifting, throwing, or carrying. Injuries sustained from overextension can include torn and sprained muscles, ligaments, and tendons, and they are the most common cause of severe back injuries on the job. Trips, Slips, and Falls Slips, trips, and falls are among the most 32
Falls from heights as the most fatal type of construction accident. common causes of disability among workers in America. As much as 20 to 30 percent of slip and fall accidents result in injuries that are moderate to severe. These injuries can include concussions and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones. Slip and fall injuries frequently occur when certain hazards are present on the floor of a facility, including debris, fluids, beverages, or lubricants for machinery. Slip and falls often lead to serious injuries, but in most cases result in scrapes, bruises, torn ligaments, or muscle sprains. Employees in occupations that entail a lot of movement on their feet such as waiting and nursing are particularly vulnerable to slip and falls, with many accidents resulting in ankle and knee injuries. In many other workers’ comp cases, falls from heights are involved. Workers may fall from scaffoldings, roofs, lifts, inventory stations, down stairways, or off of ladders. Falls from heights as the most fatal type of construction accident. Work-Related Vehicular Accidents A large number of traffic accidents that occur every day are work-related. We all know of course that traffic accidents are the most fatal work-related accidents. Most workers are unable to file a workers’ comp claim if they’re involved in a crash while
CR | Jan/Feb 2021
commuting to or from the workplace. However, workers who drive to fulfill their job duties, such as accidents involving delivery truck drivers or employees performing off-site duties such as picking up or dropping off packages to or from another location, may be covered by workers’ comp. If an employee has sustained injuries resulting from work-related traffic accidents that weren’t the employee’s fault, he or she may be able to pursue damages against the offending driver in addition to filing a workers’ comp claim. Keep in mind that workers’ comp won’t cover vehicle damage, even if the driver was performing job duties at the time of the accident. Even if the accident was the employee’s fault, he or she may still be able to recover workers’ comp if injured and no longer able to work. Employee liability insurance providers can also defend the employee against damage claims that the occupants of the other vehicle may make. Violence in the Workplace A majority of employees don’t think about putting their lives at risk for a job. Workers expect their employers to maintain a work environment that’s consistently safe, but workplace violence can take place, resulting in injury, disability, or even death in many cases. The fact is that violence crimes can occur anywhere at any time, even in a workplace where this kind of violence is extremely rare, such as an office space. Theft, burglary, and armed robberies are all possible incidents that may leave employees traumatized, either
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