Tag Archives: overexertion

Ergonomics, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Head Protection

TOP TEN MOST COMMON WORKPLACE INJURIES (GUEST POST)

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 Every day nationwide, 12 people don’t come home from work. Workplace incidents kill over 4000 workers per year, when all they were trying to do was their job. Millions more per year are injured at work and over 3 million of those never recover from their injuries. Here are the top ten work-related injuries in the US, according to insurance statistics, starting with number 10. 

10. On the Job Violence – Nearly 30 years ago, in Edmond, Oklahoma, a disgruntled postal worker shot and killed 15 people, including himself, and wounded 6 others. Congress determined that the US Postal Service could have and should have taken steps to prevent the tragedy. The term “going postal,” was coined shortly thereafter to describe any incident where an individual loses control and causes mayhem and violence. 

The horrific violence of that day became a springboard for other disgruntled employees, who now account for nearly 500 workplace fatalities per year, mostly by shooting. Injuries from violence in the workplace are an astounding 15-16 injuries per 1000 working. The violence ranges from assault to rape. 

To prevent violence in the workplace, employers need to establish protocols in the event of violence or suspicious activities and train employees to be able to recognize potentially dangerous situations or environments. 

9. Repetitive Motion  – The Medieval working conditions of the 19th & early 20th Century didn’t concern itself with a silly injury such as this. Your back pain, sensory problems, or carpal tunnel syndrome were just good reasons to fire you and replace you with another able body willing to be broken. 

We may be a little more enlightened today but employers still need to make sure that procedures and equipment are ergonomically designed for the least amount of repetitive motion. When this isn’t feasible, then a rotation cycle between jobs needs to be in place to prevent this injury. 

8. Machinery – Nothing is quite as frightening than when a machine latches on to hair, clothing, fingers, or limbs and begins to devour the person attached.

 Employers need to have policies, procedures, and dress codes in place that minimize this type of accident. Additionally, emergency shut-off and back-up controls need to be easily accessible. 

7. Vehicles – Other than specific laws, public service announcements, law-enforcement, and backseat drivers, nobody monitors bad drivers. Consequently, accidents or “inevitabilities” occur. 

Employers can monitor the driving habits of their employees who drive for business by establishing certain driving policies, training, and reporting systems that reinforce good driving habits. 

6. Impacts – These are the injuries that may initially invoke a laugh when someone stubs a toe, walks into a wall, bumps into the corner of a table, or backs into a piece of equipment. It actually isn’t funny, especially when the impact causes serious head trauma or contusions.

Employers should play an active role in keeping walkways clear and welcoming feedback on existing hazardous conditions. Any hazardous condition should be rectified immediately. 

5. Falling Objects – Falling objects may be common in construction zones where hard hats are required at all times but one may not think to be wary in the office or in a retail environment. A case of copy paper falling from the storage shelf or a number 10 can falling from the top shelf of a grocery store may not be common enough to require hard hats in the office or grocery store but they do occur. 

Employers in all lines of work need to be wary of any existing condition where objects can potentially fall and injure an employee. Altering conditions and establishing policies can reduce this type of injury. 

4. Slipping and Tripping without Falling – Whew! You almost fell. That might have been less painful however, than the involuntary twisting and wrenching of your muscles, tendons, and other tissues trying to avoid the fall. These events can cause debilitating injuries and conditions that may cause you to lose work or need long-term medical attention. 

3. Falling from Heights – Taking a tumble off a ladder, scaffold, roof, or stairway, can cause severe injury, with head trauma being the most serious. Some jobs that carry the constant threat of falling will usually take extra precautions to alleviate that risk. However, many falls occur while performing simple tasks like changing a light bulb or carrying a box down a flight of stairs. 

Employers should create policy and procedures that take into consideration inherent dangers in the workplace. Employees should not ignore policy, no matter how skilled they feel they may be without safety equipment or procedures.

2. Slipping, Tripping, and Falling – Slippery floors, uneven surfaces, or out of place objects and equipment in walkways can cause slips and falls that can result in serious injury. 

Employers should make sure chronic problems such as uneven surfaces or items left in walk areas are rectified and solved. Policies regarding spills and wet surfaces, including having hazard markers, need to be in place. Employees should be aware of their environment at all times. 

1. Overexertion – And the number one work related injury is overexertion. Any physical activity that hasn’t been replaced by a machine, such as lifting, pushing, carrying, throwing, or pulling has the potential for exertion injury. Overexertion may ultimately be a relative term since it differs from person to person. However, anytime someone pushes himself or herself beyond physical capacity, injury may be imminent. 

Employers should be aware of all exertion regulations and not expect employees to push themselves beyond those guidelines. 

Conclusion 

Workplace injuries and deaths may seem inevitable, but by improving the safety surrounding the inevitable situation or removing that situation altogether could diminish their frequency. Employers and employees need to play an active role in making this happen. 

This piece was written by Kurt Dowdle, a writer for http://naqvilaw.com, a personal injury firm in Las Vegas, NV.

Eye Protection, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection

THE TEN MOST COMMON INJURIES SUFFERED AT WORK (GUEST POST)

Every day we go to work and assume that we will return home safely again at the end of the day.  Unfortunately this isn’t always the case.

Many people are seriously injured and sometimes killed at work, doing the job they are paid to do. Sometimes this is due to accidents and sometimes it can be due to negligence or lack of care.  Here are some of the most popular types of injury in the work place over recent years.

Overexertion Injuries

Physical activity such as pulling, lifting, pushing, holding, carrying, and throwing can all take their toll. Overexertion is ranked annually as one of the most common forms of workplace injury and account for millions in benefit costs every year.

Slips and Trips

Slips and trips can happen anywhere, but in the workplace the problem is more acute. Wet and slippery floors or objects left lying around can all contribute, but it is often up to the employer to ensure that spills are promptly cleaned and no debris is present which can be dangerous.

Collisions

This happens when a person accidentally collides with an object such as a wall, door, cabinet, windows, table, chair etc, resulting in an impact injury. An employee’s diligence and the employer keeping the work environment free from hazards are key to preventing these types of injuries, which account for thousands of lost hours per year.

Falls

Falls from an elevated area such as roofs, ladders, and stairways can cause serious injury and are very common in work environments such as factories and warehouses.  They can be caused by slips and falls or due to faulty equipment.  These types of accidents can be reduced by the use of proper personal protection gear, training and employee diligence.

Vehicle Accidents

Employees who drive for a living, such as taxi and bus drivers, are always at risk of being involved in an accident due to the amount of time they spend on the road. They are still entitled to as much protection as anyone else however, as they are technically in their place of work. Also, people using equipment such as forklift trucks and cranes can also be injured or even killed if not given the correct tuition.

Machine accidents

Usually occurring in a factory environment, where heavy equipment and machinery are used, clothing, shoes, fingers and hair can easily be trapped or caught; leading to serious injuries. The appropriate personal protective equipment and training should always be provided.  Leave the jewelry at home, and if you have long hair, tie it up.

Acts of violence

As bizarre as it sounds, attacks and other arguments can lead to serious physical injuries. Workplace violence, employee training and employee diligence can help keep these incidents at bay. As well as employee-on-employee violence, customer violence towards staff often contributes towards workplace injuries, a matter which many companies are taking more and more seriously.

Falling objects

Head injuries are often caused by falling objects, whether it’s from shelving, scaffolding or ladders. Employee diligence and employer focus are key to preventing these types of injuries from happening regularly. PPE such as hard hats can be instrumental in keeping incidents like this to a minimum.

Hearing loss

Constant exposure to loud noise can result in significantly reduced hearing. The effect can be subtle and gradual. Basic safety measures such as ear protection and ambient noise barriers can eliminate this injury from any workplace.

Burns

Burns are often caused by chemicals used in industrial settings such as labs or factories. They can also be inflicted by equipment that has become overheated; welding torches, irons and even a kitchen kettle. Clearly visible warning signs can go a long way to prevent such injuries occurring.

Matthew Crist is a journalist and blogger who takes accidents in the workplace very seriously. He has written this blog in conjunction with Minnesota personal injury lawyers – TSR Injury Law.

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

FOUR COMMON WORK INJURIES AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM (GUEST POST)

It’s a pretty well-known fact that some industries have naturally higher risks for on-the-job injuries. Things like factory work, construction sites, and building/manual labor present a bigger change for someone to get hurt while they’re at work. Obviously, no one wants to get hurt at work, and for that reason, OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has policies in effect that help to regulate work conditions and help prevent injury. In order to avoid being injured on the job, it’s helpful to know what the most common injuries are and how to prevent them from happening.

1. Overexertion Injuries

In jobs that require hard labor like heavy lifting, carrying, building, or throwing, workers are susceptible to overexertion injuries like pulled muscles, sprains, back injuries, or even heart attack. Employers should have policies in place to prevent injuries like these—employees need proper training for lifting and should report any aches or pains to the job’s supervisors. Encourage employees to take breaks if they are feeling exhausted from a particular task to avoid straining muscles, and hold regular training sessions to reinforce workplace safety.

2. Slipping and Falling, or Falling from Heights

Slips and falls are all too common. They can be caused by:

  •          an employee losing footing
  •          uneven ground
  •          spills

Slippery floors should be cleaned immediately, wet floors should have wet floor signs, and if floors are uneven, there should be caution signs posted until the floor is fixed—or better yet, that part of the building should be off limits until it is safe.  If an employee slips and falls, an incident report should be filed, and that employee should seek medical care to prevent further injury. As for falling from heights, such as off of ladders or roofs, these are difficult accidents to prevent, but employees can use proper protection gear if it is available, like harnesses when working on roofs or windows on the sides of buildings. These can be slip-and-fall incidents, or they can be due to faulty equipment, like a ladder breaking.

Equipment should always be in excellent condition to provide optimal safety. When equipment is not maintained, the employer may be held liable for any workplace injuries, but in those cases, the employee will have to get a workers’ compensation lawyer involved for additional help.

3. Repetitive Motion Injuries

Repetitive motion injuries can be similar to overexertion injuries, but they also include things like office workers who experience pain and injury from things like typing, or mail carriers who frequently have to lift heavy boxes. These can be prevented by employers making sure that their employees have proper break schedules and aren’t overextending their abilities. For example, if a person can only lift 50 pounds, they shouldn’t be made to lift 75 pound boxes all day long—that is bound to cause injury sooner rather than later. Likewise, ergonomic solutions can help prevent office-related injuries.

4. Machine Entanglement

Machine entanglement, as you might imagine, is a rather gruesome work injury, but unfortunately, lax safety procedures mean that these types of injuries aren’t uncommon. Clothing, shoes, fingers, and hair are often left unprotected and can be quickly swept into the inner-workings of a machine, which can very swiftly cause severe injury or death.

Prevent these and other accidents by taking measures such as:

  •    wearing hairnets and close-fitting clothing
  •    being alert about your surroundings
  •    paying close attention to the task at hand

Taking these steps helps ensure that work injuries don’t occur, keeping responsible employees safe while simultaneously protecting their coworkers.

Bio: Steven J. Malman is the founder and President of Malman Law, a personal injury law firm in Chicago, Illinois. Steven has experience representing victims in personal injury, nursing home abuse and neglect, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation and premises liability cases.

Ergonomics, Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

TEN THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR WHEN DOING AMATEUR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (GUEST POST)

The nature of construction means there’s constantly the potential for disaster. Heavy objects, sharp ends, powerful machines and more don’t mix well with soft human bodies.

Even when I work with experienced teams or am just doing a little job around the house on my own, I still occasionally come across dangerous situations and close calls. These instances are even more common in the world of amateur construction, where people without professional training often find themselves at odds with the tools and materials they’re working with.

There are plenty of reasons to consider amateur construction. It can save you money, especially on smaller-scale work. It gives people a sense of accomplishment and ownership, and lets them express their creative side exactly as they envision with their own hands. But such projects cause disasters every day. Mishaps can cause expensive damage to structures and severe injury to the builder. If you’re considering a DIY construction project, be sure to use extra caution and be on the lookout for these common mistakes:

1. Dehydration and Overexertion

Often it’s not a wild swing of a hammer or improper use of a table saw that causes mistakes, but physical fatigue and breakdown. Unless you’re a very active person on a regular basis, your body may not be prepared for the rigor or heavy construction work. Exhaustion and dehydration make people clumsy and cause them to make bad decisions. Only work when you’re rested and hydrated, and be sure to make time in your efforts for breaks and refreshment.

2. Disorganization

A poorly organized work space is the bane of construction workers everywhere. It decreases efficiency and makes the entire job take longer to complete. More importantly, though, it creates hazards. It’s difficult to be safe and effective if you’re navigating through a mess of lumber and machinery. Always make a point to keep your work place as neat as possible; the investment of time will pay itself off.

3. Working Alone

Doing anything strenuous on your own is rarely a good idea. If something happens, like a sudden injury, it can be tough to take care of yourself. Avoid doing heavy construction work without someone who knows where you are and what you’re doing in case an emergency arises.

4. Improper Safety Gear

It’s amazing how many do-it-yourselfers try to tackle a project without even the most basic of safety equipment. You don’t need a HAZMAT suit to stay protected in most situations. Even just investing in some good work gloves and decent safety eye wear will prevent an astonishing amount of injuries.

5. Electrocution

When many people undertake large construction projects, they often overlook the difficulty and danger of working with and around established electrical systems. Improperly fiddling with the wiring in your walls and appliances can cause a deadly shock. Always be sure you know how to correctly handle electrical installation or removal before starting any projects that will require it.

6. Hazardous Materials

Some construction work might involve the use of hazardous chemicals that people aren’t used to handling. This could include something as simple as gasoline, or something a little more complex like an industrial cleaner. Always be wary of any dangers related to flammability, toxic fumes, and chemical reactions due to exposure.

7. Unwelcome Visitors

Even in a relatively safe work site, it’s easy for someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing to hurt themselves or someone else. I see this commonly in homes with children and pets where boundaries aren’t properly established. Be sure to make clear to any kids present that the construction area is dangerous, and take care to zone the area off from a curious dog or cat.

8. Excess Stress on the Body

A lot of construction work is physically taxing. There’s a high amount of pressure put on sensitive body parts repeatedly. Your shoulders, wrists, knees, and back are especially at risk. To reduce the danger, follow best practices for lifting and moving heavy objects and using tools.

9. Working from a Height

Some of the nastiest construction-related injuries I’ve witnessed were due to someone getting careless and falling from a roof or ladder. Always take extra caution when working from a position where a fall could happen, even if you’re just a few feet off the ground. Learn ladder and harness safety as necessary to prevent a fall.

10. Incomplete Tool Knowledge

As tempting as it may be to skip, you should always read the manual for any tool more complex than a hammer or screwdriver. Always know the ins and outs of all your power tools, from power drills to nail guns, so you’re never taken by surprise.

Doing a personal construction project is rewarding both personally and financially, but only if you avoid causing any damage to yourself or the area around you. Always be sure to follow all general safety precautions before getting started. Happy building!

Author Profile:

Author Profile: Home-shield Mike Thomas is a private contractor and writer for HomeWarrantyDeals.com.  He enjoys DIY projects, college football and is also deeply passionate about restoring antique homes.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

HOW TO PREVENT NECK INJURIES WHEN PLAYING SPORTS (GUEST POST)

Sent to us by Saam Banai. 

 Sporting events are a common source of injuries, and neck injuries are common in sports involving significant impact. In more serious cases, they can lead to paralysis, or death. Preventing neck injuries is important, but it is also more difficult than preventing other types of neck injuries.
The Nature of Neck Injuries

Neck injuries while playing sports can occur in various ways and with different levels of severity. Blows to the head and severe trauma are not the only sources of neck injuries; overexertion and even compression can also cause injury.

Overuse can lead to a strained or sprained muscles or muscle spasms. In these cases, the ligaments and muscles stretch excessively; ligaments will usually stretch and the muscles will tear. Such injuries usually manifest themselves as a feeling of fatigue or dull aching, followed by gradually increasing pain levels as the muscle is used. In the case of a spasm, the muscle involuntarily contracts, causing brief pain.

These injuries are common. Fortunately, these injuries are easy to resolve. When a muscle or ligament is causing problems, the best solution is to avoid aggravating the injury, keep use of that muscle or ligament to a minimum, and take a pain reliever. With time, these injuries normally heal on their own. These injuries rarely cause serious long-term problems.

Excessive force applied to the neck can cause more serious injuries. Impacts can cause nerve damage, respiratory problems, and even broken or fractured vertebrae. Treating a neck injury caused by a specific blow to the neck is a serious matter. Athletes who suffer nerve damage, damaged vertebrae, or damage to the windpipe should consult a local medical professional.  In some cases, where there has been significant damage to the body or financial loss due to the misstep of another, our personal injury attorney in Atlanta Georgia suggests that legal advice be sought.  

Playing Sports

Avoiding neck injuries from overuse is a relatively simple affair. The athlete should not overuse the muscle. Avoiding overuse becomes easier if the athlete warms up beforehand; adding simple neck-stretching exercises to a warm-up routine is a simple and effective way to prevent excessive neck strain.

With the pressures of team sports and competition, athletes will often play through injuries. Athletes who choose to play through minor muscle injuries should ensure that they are getting enough protein, as protein will help muscles recover more quickly from excessive strain.

Avoiding physical injury is more challenging. Protective gear is the obvious choice to prevent physical injury. In some cases, gear used for neck protection can be valuable. A neck brace can prevent the head from violently thrashing back and forth, causing serious neck injuries, and also prevent contact with fragile body parts.

Unfortunately, neck braces restrict the athlete’s ability to look up and down; hence, neck braces are rarely seen outside certain sports, such as automobile racing. If the athlete has the opportunity to wear a neck brace, he or she should do so. To avoid serious long-term damage from impacts to the neck, athletes should avoid repeat injuries and not take unnecessary risks when it comes to excessive neck movement.

Preventing neck injuries while playing sports can be difficult, as most sports make it difficult to protect the neck from physical injury. Athletes should stretch before games and intense practice sessions to prevent the tearing of muscles and ligaments that would otherwise be tense.  Eliminating the possibility of a neck injury is impossible, but athletes can reduce the potential for them to occur. 

Saam Banai is a freelance writer, editor, and sports enthusiast. He contributes this article for Buddoo & Associates P.C., a personal injury attorney in Atlanta Georgia who deals with personal injury cases of all sizes, which are often settled to the clients benefit before trial. Using over a decade of experience, they devote themselves personally to each client, each case and each accident victim with professionalism and care.

 

 

Back Safety, Ergonomics, Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

Six Common Workplace Injuries That Can Be Prevented (Guest Post)

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Written by Jay Acker

Injuries that occur at work can be detrimental to a company’s bottom line. The problem is not just in the cost of litigation and increased insurance premiums from workers’ compensation claims, but also in the loss of motivation and productivity that can occur across an office when employees perceive neglect in their employer.

It’s far better to be proactive and avoid workplace injuries before they occur. Whether your company is solely office-based or utilizes a warehouse and a fleet of vehicles, there are universal accidents that can affect any type of business. To stop and prevent injuries before they have a chance to harm employees and derail a company, make yourself of aware of the most common workplace hazards and how to remedy them.

Repetitive Motion Disorders

Although tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and bursitis (swollen elbow) are not the most dramatic of workplace injuries, they are among those with the most long-term impact. Because these disorders develop over long periods of time, they’re also more difficult to reverse the effects of. And because of the growing number of sedentary office workers, they’re becoming more and more common. Use company alerts, emails and posters to remind employees to stretch and take breaks throughout the day. Ergonomic desks and chairs to support the lower back are integral, and you may even consider letting employees switch to stand-up desks if they express interest.

Slips and Falls

Although the possibility of a fall on scaffolding or construction sites is obvious, few office managers realize the real danger of stretching power cords and cables across an office. Make a rule against extending cables through areas that receive walking traffic. Likewise, ensure that stairwells and hallways are well-lit. And if an area of your workplace is ever mopped (even the bathroom), don’t forget the prudent legal benefit of a ‘wet floor’ sign.

Vehicle Accidents

Even if you trust a particular employee, think twice before handing them the keys to your personal or company vehicle to run a quick errand for you. Any worker that drives on company business should undergo a driving record background check. Furthermore, implement a company rule against sending text messages or talking on cell phones while driving, even if your state allows it.

Overexertion

In jobs where heavy objects are often moved, workers are generally prepared, including utilizing back-supporting belts and building strength through the consistency of their work. Within office environments, however, it’s common for employees to overestimate their ability. If a refrigerator needs to be moved in the break room or the copy machine needs to go out for repairs, leave these tasks to hired professionals. Even moving reams of copy paper could lead to an injury that could come back to haunt the business. Let employees know that they’re not expected to do any heavy lifting at their job and urge them to err on the side of caution when those tasks arise.

Heavy Machinery

Because new warehouse and machinery workers often come from a similar workplace, it’s tempting to toss them the keys to the forklift and let them get started immediately. Avoid this — any employee utilizing industrial machinery needs to undergo company-specific formal training before being allowed to work. Furthermore, establish rules about long hair, jewelry, and loose fitting clothing to avoid injury around moving parts.

Workplace Violence

In any workplace, tempers can flare. The key to avoiding workplace violence is early intervention. It’s rare that a disagreement will come to blows without weeks of tension stewing before a critical moment. Make it clear to employees that they won’t be looked down on for speaking out about an issue. Have an objective mediator and plan in place to handle disputes as they arise, settling small differences before they boil over into damaging and dangerous altercations.

Whatever type of business you’re in, the potential for workplace injuries is there. By preparing yourself and instilling an emphasis on safety and well-being amongst your employees, your company will be better suited to handle small injuries that arise, avoiding most of them before anyone ever has a chance to get hurt.

Jay Acker leads a production team at www.safetyservicescompany.com that creates safety training materials. SSC offers contractor-prequalification and other contractor verification servicers.

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

TEN MOST COMMON OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES IN THE U.S. (Guest Post)

 

Today’s guest author is Carol Brown, who has sent some very interesting facts and figures regarding work-related illnesses.

Accidents happen anywhere, anytime, even when proper safety and training steps are taken. Every year, thousands of workers file claims after something within the system hiccups and compromises their overall well-being, or quite simply, because the demands of the positions themselves begin wearing down the body with continuous physical stress. Injuries, which the government lumps in with illnesses, run the most rampant in the offices, warehouses, roads, and other workplaces across the United States.

For consistency’s sake, all numbers have been culled from the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s 2010 study of nonfatal occupational illnesses requiring days away from work.

  1. Sprains, Strains, and Tears:

In 2010, 46.9 out of 10,000 workplace-related injuries and illnesses came in the form of what the Bureau of Labor Statistics labels “sprains, strains, and tears.” Forty-three percent of these incidents occurred because of workers overexerting themselves, with 36% impacting the back. Yet such injuries to the shoulders actually required more time away from work than any other body part, with an average of 21 days. Back sprains, strains, and tears have actually declined in the previous years and at a rate faster than any other body part, no less.

  1. Musculoskeletal Disorders:

The BLS lumps all musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses into one statistic, and they make up 34.3 out of 10,000 on-the-job incidents. Most complaints involve the back, but rotator cuff disorders, carpal tunnel, and other nonspecified pains are also extremely common. All of them have experienced an increase over time, especially amongst those working as orderlies, nurses, and attendants.

  1. Overexertion:

Twenty-seven out of 10,000 total workplace injuries and illnesses occurred because of overexertion, marking an increase of 3% from previous years. Social assistance and healthcare positions in the private sector experienced far more strain-related conditions, at a staggering rate of 48 per 10,000 employees. Overexertion in lifting comprised 13.2 of the 27 reported cases, and the aforementioned “sprains, strains, and tears” stood as the most likely result of pushing the body beyond its limitations.

  1. General Soreness and Pain:

Overall body pain, including the back, accounted for 13.3 out of 10,000 reported on-the-job injuries and illnesses, and 11% required recovery at home or a convalescence center. Labor jobs unsurprisingly stood as the riskiest when it comes to suffering the symptoms, particularly among workers in transportation and warehousing. Twenty-eight out of 10,000 of such employees reported severe soreness and pain, with a median of 17 days away from the job to properly recover.

  1. Bruises and Contusions:

The BLS reports that 9.9 out of every 10,000 workplace injuries involved contusions and bruises, and a total median of four days away from work to heal. Numbers also reveal that 2.2 out of 10,000 incidents of multiple injuries also involve bruising as well as sprains. Once again, transportation and warehouse workers experienced the highest rate of suffering the conditions, with 20.2 out of 10,000.

  1. Cuts, Lacerations, and Punctures:

Twenty-nine percent of the 9.1 of 10,000 cut, laceration, and puncture reports involved some sort of incident regarding work-related equipment, with fingernails and fingers the most vulnerable body bits, accounting for 26%. At 1.1 of 10,000 Punctures stand as far less common than cuts and lacerations, which the BLS lumps together. Employees in the refuse and recyclable material collection industry suffered these injuries significantly more than their counterparts elsewhere, with a staggering 185.9 out of 10,000 reporting slices and dices.

  1. Fractures:

Fractures accounted for 8.5 out of 10,000 reported workplace injuries and illnesses, and employees diagnosed with the condition needed a recuperation period of 28 days away from the job. The hunting industry claims 21.1 of the 2010 numbers, making it the most at-risk demographic, followed by mining (17.9) and construction (17.7). As a part of the BLS’ statistics regarding multiple sustained injuries and illnesses, it only afflicts .9 out of 10,000.

  1. Multiple Injuries and Disorders:

Workers who experienced more than one diagnosis concurrently form an entire grouping according to the BLS, who cited 5.7 instances out of every 10,000 in 2010. Hunting again exists as the most vulnerable career path to sustaining multiple traumatic injuries and illnesses, at a rate of 11.3 out of 10,000, and, as seen previously, instances involving strains and bruises are more common than those with fractures and burns. However, law enforcement officials were the most likely (33.3 out of 10,000) to require time away from work in order to recuperate.

  1. Back Pain:

Four out of 10,000 workplace injuries and illnesses specifically involved some form of back pain, whether alone or in conjunction with some other body part. Owing to the nature of their positions, both intercity and transit bus drivers suffer the most, in both categories — 96.1 out of 10,000 for combined pain and 44 out of 10,000 for just the back. In total, though, cases hailing from all professions only needed about eight days outside of work for a recovery to take place.

  1. Heat Burns and Scalds:

Food service employees, at a rate of 8.5 for every 10,000 workers, suffer from scalds and heat burns more than their counterparts in any other industry. Across the board, though, these injuries still sported a rate of 1.6 out of 10,000 reported cases of occupational incidents. On average, burns and scalds required a median of eight days to properly heal enough for patients to safely return to work.

Thanks, Carol, for sending these facts and figures about work-related injuries.  There are many types of personal protective equipment that help prevent injuries and protect our bodies from the hazards related to fit each particular job.  Please check out Texas America Safety Company for more information. pb

 

(http://www.onlinecollege.org/2012/07/03/10-most-common-occupational-illnesses-u-s/).

 

Ergonomics, General Safety Issues

NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH – WEEK 2 – PREVENTING OVEREXERTION

Aren’t we all guilty of overdoing it, the first time we try a new job, sport, or game?  My granddaughter introduced me to the Wii a couple of years ago, and tennis was her choice of sport.  I was thrashing and slashing all over the room, when I noticed she was simply flicking her wrist and beating the socks off me!  We all want to try “extra hard” when learning a new sport or physical type of job.  That’s when the muscles show us that we aren’t in as good shape as we thought! 

This is the second week of National Safety Week, when the National Safety Council asks us to emphasize the importance of preventing overexertion.  According to Injury Facts, 2011 Edition, overexertion is the third leading cause of unintentional injury treated in emergency departments in the United States.  Approximately 3.3 million emergency department visits occur yearly because of injury from overexertion.  Usually it is associated with lifting, pushing, lowering, pulling, or carrying.  

We overexert ourselves in many ways, either at our jobs or physical training.   Close observation helps eliminate the possibility of serious effects of overstressing the muscles.  The load should be reduced and recovery pursued.  Symptoms of overtraining (and overexertion) may be:

  • Disturbances in movement;
  • Disturbances in rhythm and flow;
  • Lack of concentration;
  • Soreness in muscles, joints. 
  • Fatigue.

Here are some suggestions to prevent overexertion:

  • Stretch or warm up before lifting objects or strenuous activity;
  • Lift with legs bent and hold object close to body.
  • Avoid bending, reaching and twisting when lifting. 
  • Approach an object straight on;
  • Ask a friend for help when lifting.
  • Pace yourself when pursuing any activity.
  • Take breaks.
  • Stop if you can’t handle the load. 

Overexertion can lead to cardiac arrest when working or doing outdoor work during hot, humid days, or shoveling snow in the winter.  If our bodies are unaccustomed to these duties, we must gradually get in physical shape before taking them on.  When tendons, ligaments, and muscles work harder than they are meant to, sprains, strains, or other damage happens.  Usually the back is the most common area of injury.  Age has a lot to do with our strength, as well.  One should never try to lift an item that is too heavy, as he/she  may be able to do it now, but could have complications from it later on. 

Wellness centers have personnel who can help you get into shape and feel better, ready to tackle the world!  Workplace wellness programs offer incentives to employees by helping them with ergonomics, fitness, and nutrition.  Companies that offer these types of benefits may find less missed work time by their employees. 

To not be counted among the statistics of emergency room visits due to overexertion, “take it easy!”  Pace yourself, whether at work or play.