Work-Related Injury: Common Causes and Prevention

25 de marzo de 2020

4 min de lectura

Is your job putting your health at risk? Even if you work in an office environment, you still may experience a workplace injury at some point in your career.

As you can imagine, workplace injuries can be extremely stressful and costly to your physical, mental, and even financial well-being. Workplace injures contribute to lost wages, lowered productivity, increased job turnover, and decreased job satisfaction. Preventing such issues can make a major difference for you, your family, your colleagues, your clients, and your business.

In this article, we'll review a few of the most common causes and types of work injury and introduce some simple ways to stay healthy on the job.

Common Types and Causes of Work Injury

Work-related injuries can occur suddenly or develop gradually over the course of several weeks, months, or more. They're often precipitated by issues such as overexertion or repetitive motion, blunt trauma from objects and equipment, or slips and falls. Any one of these problems can lead to injuries like soft tissue sprains and strains, lacerations and wounds, broken bones, whiplash, chemical burns, and concussions.

A work-related injury can be much more subtle, too. Many office workers complain of chronic aches and pains caused by musculoskeletal conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff strains, tech neck, tension headaches, low back pain, sciatica, and plantar fasciitis.

Risk factors for workplace injury include:

Slips, falls, and other types of trauma
Frequent heavy lifting, bending, twisting, or operating heavy machinery
Exposure to vibration forces
Working in awkward or prolonged postures, as well as performing repetitive movements
Exposure to cold temperatures

While anyone in any type of job or role can sustain an injury on the job, some of the most at-risk jobs for work-related injury include first responders (e.g., firefighters, police), transportation and shipping, manufacturing and production, installation and repair, and construction.

In addition to acute or chronic workplace injuries, certain occupational factors such as sitting too long at a desk may increase a person's risk for chronic health conditions, including obesity, depression, and heart disease. In this way, your job may not directly lead to a workplace injury but could impair your quality of life over the long-term, unless necessary steps are taken.

Preventing Work Injury

According to the National Safety Council, a worker sustains an injury on the job every seven seconds. That's roughly equivalent to 12,600 injuries per day, and 4.6 million injuries per year, translating to about 104 million lost production days per year.

We can all do our part to decrease the incidence of workplace injury by keeping in mind some important workplace safety tips:

Always follow workplace or industry safety protocols and regulations. Speak to your supervisor if you aren't sure what these are.
When lifting objects, use tools or extra helpers to avoid excessive strain. Don't lift more than you can safely manage, and keep objects close to you while carrying them. Avoid twisting or bending your spine, too—bending your knees really is helpful.
Take frequent rest breaks from your job tasks. Stand up and go for a brisk walk, do a few stretches, or simply change your position.
Take a look at your desk and see where you can improve your ergonomics (how your environment suits your job role). Improving your ergonomics can keep you safer and also increase your efficiency and productivity. Helpful ergonomic tips include:
Keeping your computer monitor at eye level and one arm's distance away from you
Keeping frequently used items within reach
Invest in a headset for your phone so you can talk hands-free without having to hold your phone between your ear and shoulder
Position your chair so that you can type with your wrists straight, elbows comfortably bent, and feet on the floor with your knees bent to about 90 degrees
Add a lumbar support to your chair
Reduce overhead glare
Invest in an adjustable height desk so you can stand as well as sit
Set reminders on your phone or use a simple alarm clock to help you remember to stand up and take rest breaks throughout your day.
Wear sturdy comfortable shoes.
Report and replace malfunctioning or worn down equipment.
Take good care of your health outside the office, too. You'll be more prepared physically and mentally for your job if you sleep well, eat a nutritious diet, drink plenty of water, manage your stress, don't smoke, and get plenty of exercise.
If you do notice a nagging pain or ache, seek help for it sooner than later. Left unaddressed, a small issue can progress into a bigger and longer-lasting problem that may leave you out of work.

At Healthread.com, we know so many of our community are hard workers—and they want to stay that way! Be sure to check out the rest of our website for tips on healthy employment and injury prevention no matter what your current career may be.

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Common Types and Causes of Work Injury

Preventing Work Injury

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