Top Workplace Injuries and How to Prevent Them

The National Safety Council estimates that 12,600 workers suffer work-related injuries daily. Workplace accidents lower employees' productivity, which in turn affects a company's performance. In 2019, employers spent over $63 billion on workers' compensation claims. It is evident that workplace accidents have a significant financial impact on businesses. Therefore, employers and employees should work together to prevent workplace accidents. With that in mind, here's a look at the most common workers' comp injuries and how to prevent them.

Workers' Compensation Statistics

Workers' compensation insurance covers employees who get injured at their work. It offers the following benefits:

• It pays for the medical expenses incurred by an injured worker.
• It pays an injured worker a percentage of missed wages.
• If an employee loses their life, workers' comp pays out death benefits to the beneficiaries.

Over the years, work-related injuries and fatalities have significantly decreased. There were 4764 fatalities in 2020- the lowest number recorded since 2013. Nonfatal injuries also reduced from 2.7 million in 2019 to 2.1 million in 2020.   The worst affected industries included:

• Healthcare
• Social assistance
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Transportation

Workplace Injuries and Fatalities: The Leading Causes

According to the National Safety Council (nsc.org), these were the leading causes of workplace injuries and illnesses in 2020:

• Transport accidents
• Falls, slips, trips, accidents.
• Injuries resulting from people and animals.
• Fires and explosions.
• Contact with objects and equipment.
• Exposure to harmful substances or environments

The Most Common Workplace Injuries

Lacerations-

Lacerations are deep cuts caused by either sharp or blunt objects. Per the National Safety Council (NSC), lacerations account for 30% of workplace injuries. These injuries range from minor cuts to amputation injuries.

The various causes of lacerations include:

• Using the wrong tools for a specific job.
• Inadequate training.
• Failing to follow basic safety procedures such as wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Sprains and Strains

A sprain is an injury that occurs when a ligament is stretched or torn. On the other hand, a strain occurs when a muscle or a tendon gets stretched or torn. These injuries can happen when a worker is lifting heavy objects.

Punctures - Punctures are wounds caused by pointed objects such as nails and glasses.

Contusions - Contusions occur when blood vessels get injured, resulting in internal bleeding. Possible causes of contusions include, among others, slip and fall accidents and stuck-by accidents.

Tips to Prevent Workplace Injuries

1. Provide The Proper Equipment

   The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide workers with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Some of the commonly used PPEs include:

   • Long-sleeved shirts.
   • Disposable respirators.
   • Steel-toed shoes and boots.
   • Gloves.
   • Helmets and hard hats.
   • Spectacles, visors, and face shields.
   • Earmuffs and earplugs.

   Besides providing PPE, OSHA requires employers to:

   • Train employees on when to use PPE.
   • Instruct workers on how to use PPE properly.
2. Conduct Regular Inspections

   Poorly maintained equipment increases the risk of injury. Typically, employers have a responsibility to ensure every tool is in good condition and safe to use. Additionally, employers must implement the necessary training and safety guidelines for using tools and equipment.

Humble & Davenport Insurance Brokers, Inc. Can Help You

While you may be striving to keep your workplace safe, accidents may still happen. For this reason, it is wise for you to carry adequate workers' compensation coverage. If you'd like to learn more about workers' compensation in Renton, WA, contact our agents at Humble & Davenport Insurance Brokers, Inc. today.