Between four and five thousand people die each year from incidents that happen on the job and many thousands more are injured to a point where they cannot work. For those who are presently employed, the following are the most common injuries that happen at work and what you can do to help reduce the chances of getting hurt.
Pushing your body too far
A top example of this is lifting too much weight, but this also includes pulling and pushing heavy objects. Any physical activity that creates an injury because it was simply too much for an individual’s body to handle can create a serious injury. While working, always pay attention to how physical the activity is, and if you need help, make sure you ask before attempting the work alone. If you are lifting, make sure you understand how to lift properly.
Falling down
Whether it is a result from a trip or a slip, falling to the ground can cause broken bones. Making sure walkways are free of objects and the surface is not slippery is the responsibility of the employer, but always pay attention to where you are walking and do not walk fast.
Falling from a height
This can be something as innocent as a ladder, but people are not only injured but killed when falling from only a few feet. If you need to use a ladder make sure you have someone there to hold it. Working from any height should be done by securing yourself to prevent a fall in case you slip.
Being hit by falling objects
This is common when items are being retrieved from a high shelf. Workers can be struck by falling objects they caused to fall or be hit by falling objects from another worker. Sometimes there is an object that was never secured properly, and over time, it becomes loose and falls. If the object is heavy enough, a worker can be severely injured or even killed. You can reduce your risk of injury by following proper procedure for taking down inventory from high places.
Moving into a solid object
Sometimes a worker doesn’t see a wall, window or door and walks right into it. Although it seldom leads to death, it is common for the injury to cause a loss of time on the job. Always be aware of your surroundings to avoid this type of injury.
You can only do so much to prevent an accident on the job, much of the responsibility lies with the employer. If you have found yourself injured on the job through no fault of your own, you should contact a personal injury attorney in Sacramento to find out what your rights are.