The 3 Most Common Causes of Accidents in the Workplace

When people head to work five days a week to make a living, they don’t expect to encounter on-the-job accidents that lead to injuries.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, however, private industry bosses reported 2.6 million non-fatal workplace injuries and sicknesses in 2023. While that’s down 8.4% year-over-year, the sum remains high.

If you’re injured on the job, have to take time off work, and need medical treatment, personal injury claim might be necessary. You’ll want to contact a personal injury law firm for a consultation to see whether or not you have sufficient grounds to file a compensation claim.

Finding the right law firm can be the difference between winning and losing a personal injury claim. So, it makes sense to focus on retaining a reputable personal injury lawyer with a successful track record.

Continue reading to see three of the most common workplace injuries and how to avoid them.

1. Overexertion

WebMD says overexertion is the third most prevalent accidental injury in the U.S.  It’s especially common among workers who push themselves beyond reasonable limits, don’t take breaks, and fail to ask for help.

Overexertion can lead to tears, strains, sprains, and other negative outcomes that wreak havoc in your professional and personal life. Left untreated for too long, such injuries will worsen and potentially become chronic with severe long-term consequences.

You can avoid overexertion by stretching, taking breaks, knowing your limits, or asking co-workers for help.

2. Slips, Trips, and Falls

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common reasons for accidents in the workplace. Unfortunately, such mishaps happen often, and the end results can be devastating for employees. From bumps and bruises to strains and broken bones, incidents involving slips, trips, and falls can cause serious issues.

Some industries face greater risks on this front than others. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, for instance, shows that close to one in five workplace fatalities in 2022 happened in the construction industry. And 38.4% of these fatalities were caused by slips, trips, and falls.

However, such accidents aren’t limited to the construction sector. People across virtually all industries can encounter slips, trips, and falls. When it comes to limiting these types of accidents, employers and employees have a role to play.

On the one hand, employers must ensure the workplace environment is safe. Clutter and slippery surfaces are among the major causes of slips, trips, and falls. While it’s impossible to eliminate the possibility of accidents, employers can lessen the risks.

On the other hand, employees must take proper steps to lower their risks and avoid slips, trips, and falls. They can do this by being more mindful about their work environment, wearing proper footwear, and reporting potential problems to employers.

3. Transportation Incidents

Transportation incidents are also relatively common. When workers get behind the wheel to do company business, sometimes accidents occur. Whether due to driver error, vehicle malfunction, obstructions in the road, or the mistakes of other motorists, employees face various risks.

Car accidents can lead to considerable downtime. Depending on the extent of the injuries, people may require surgery, physiotherapy, and more to get back to normal or a new normal.

One way to lower the risk of vehicle accidents on the job is to drive defensively. Ensure you keep a safe distance from other cars, observe the speed limit, obey the rules of the road, and be mindful of your on-the-road behavior.

These are some of the more common causes of workplace accidents. While you can’t safeguard against all potential issues that could rear their ugly heads, lessening the risks is a worthwhile goal.