Tag Archives: work injuries

General Safety Issues

High Cost of Work-Related Injuries

Written by Mark Taylor

  • The fact that were around 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries reported by private employers in 2018 alone might come as a surprise. This is what figures released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Nearly one-third of these nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses resulted in days away from work. However, a large portion of work-related injuries also go unreported because those who are afflicted treat themselves at home or visit a nearby physician. The true numbers could be as much as two or three times greater.

This is just the tip of the iceberg as a closer look at the statistics published by the National Safety Council show. Every seven seconds, a worker is injured on the job, which means 510 injuries per hour, 12,600 per day and 88,500 a week. In 2017, in the US alone, there were 104 million production days lost due to work-related injuries. The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) reported that the cost of these injuries is estimated at $250 billion to $360 billion a year.

The first stages of injury usually go undetected, since the symptoms are mistaken for work-related fatigue, but later stages evidence pain that carries on into the next day, accompanied by an inability to perform work. According to experts at Jersey Rehab, people usually think that pain management is only necessary when they are suffering from persistent or chronic pain, but treatment also be provided for any sudden or acute pain.

  • The Usual Suspects
  • A look at the type of injuries will reveal the usual suspects. The broad categories of injury were muscle sprains and strains, soreness or pain and cuts and lacerations. A closer look reveals:
  • 8% injuries were caused by trips and falls
  • 26% were caused by being struck by an object, getting caught or crushed
  • 54% were caused by repetitive movements, such as lifting or lowering heavy objects
  • In the US, there is a high prevalence of back injuries, with roughly 25% workers complaining of back pain. The most common reason for back-related injuries are slips, trips and falls, besides lifting heavy objects, leading to absence from work for more than 7 days.
  • If you think work-related injuries are confined to work that requires physical effort, think again! Carpal tunnel syndrome is also prominent in the lineup of work-related injuries. Carpal tunnel syndrome affects roughly 1.9 million people, and 300,000 to 500,000 surgeries are performed each year to fix this common injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome can just as easily be caused by long hours at the computer, since it is likely to be caused by forceful gripping, repeated lifting of objects over 1 kg in weight and the vibration caused by handling power tools, according to research conducted by the National Institute of Health.
  • Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

There is a name to these causes. Together, they are referred to as Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). WMSDs usually result in muscle, tendon or nerve injuries. WMSDs are commonly associated with:

  • Fixed or constrained body positions
  • Continual repetition of movements
  • Force concentrated on small parts of the body (for example, hands and wrists)
  • Work pace that does not allow adequate rest intervals between movements

The best way to reduce workplace injuries is at the source. Unfortunately, not all workplaces are ergonomically designed to handle the various causes. Human factors, such as force applied, body position, work pace and repetition, need to be aligned to the workplace layout, selection of tools and implementation of safe work practices. And, given the high cost of work-related injuries, the short-term cost of making workplaces safer far outweighs the cost of treating the nation’s workforce.

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.

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

OCTOBER IS EYE INJURY PREVENTION MONTH

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Having  our eyes serve as  “windows to the world” is one of the most important gifts we have been given.  It is surprising how many accidents happen that affect the way we are able to see the world.  Equally surprising is that about one-half of eye injuries happen at work, while the other half occur at home. 

To avoid injuries in the workplace, here are some suggestions: 

  •          Always wear the appropriate protective eyewear on the job;
  •          Know what the safety dangers at work are;
  •          Eliminate hazards before starting work;
  •          Use machine guarding, work screens, or other engineering controls. 

Common causes for eye injuries are: 

  •          Flying objects (bits of metal, glass);
  •          Particles;
  •          Chemicals;
  •          Tools;
  •          Any combination of these,or other hazards. 

The type of safety protection that should be worn depends on the hazards in the workplace.  OSHA has regulations for face and eye protection; employers’ safety directors should determine which type is appropriate to ensure that the job is done safely.  Here are some examples of safety eyewear: 

  •          Sporty Safety Goggles (working with chemicals);
  •          Eyeglasses with side protection (side shields);
  •          Faceshields (working in the medical field, welding, lasers, or fiber obtics);
  •          Safety eyewear should be OSHA-compliant and approved by ANSI.
  •          Safety sunglasses should be UVA and UVB compliant to block strong rays that can damage the eyes. 

Eye injuries can happen at home, too.  When mowing the yard, using a power trimmer or edger, or clipping hedges and bushes, goggles would be a safe bet to protect your eyes.   In the workshop, working around tools, with solvents or other chemicals, or tasks that produce fragments, dust particles or other irritants, glasses with side protection or goggles would be best. 

In the house, there are many ways one can harm their eyes.  Never mix chemicals such as bleach and other common household products.  Many are very harmful and cause 125,000 eye injuries each year.  Foods can spatter hot oil or grease while being cooked.  Even curling irons have been known to cause injuries; just think about how close they are to your eyes and face! Be careful hammering nails into hard surfaces, because they could become projectiles. 

It’s really up to you to be prepared.  At home, keep the right kind of eye protection handy.  It only takes a few seconds to put it on; otherwise, it could take a long time to overcome an injury to your eye or eyes.  Be compliant at work and always wear your safety gear! 

If an injury occurs, see an ophthalmologist or go to the emergency room immediately, even if the eye injury seems minor.  Delaying medical attention can result in permanent vision loss or blindness. 

Source: AAO

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Head Protection

TIPS ON TREATING COMMON INJURIES

 Sooner or later, someone at work or in your household will experience one or more of the injuries listed below.  We want to share these suggestions on what to do, what not to do, and when to seek medical attention.  Please keep these instructions where you can find them – inside your first aid kit would be good.  Hopefully, you may never need them, but just in case………… 

  • Bloody Nose:  When delicate blood vessels in the nose break, a nosebleed will follow.
  • Do: Lean slightly forward and pinch your nose just below the bridge, where the cartilage and the bone come together; maintain the pressure for 5 to 15 minutes.  An ice pack pressed against the bridge may also help.
  • Don’t: Tilt your head back.  You may swallow blood,  and potentially some could go into your lungs.
  • When to Seek Medical Attention: If the bleeding hasn’t stopped after 20 minutes; if the nosebleed happened spontaneously; or if it accompanies a headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, or vision problems.

 

  • Sprain: Sprains happen when the ligaments surrounding a joint are pulled beyond their normal range.  Sprains may also appear swollen and bruised.
  • Do: Alternately apply and remove ice every 20 minutes throughout the first day.  Wrapping the joint with elastic compression bandage and elevating the injury may help.  Stay off the injured limb at least 24 hours.  After that, apply heat to promote blood flow to the area.
  • Don’t: Work through the pain; you may risk more damage, like tearing the ligament.
  • Medical Attention: If the injury fails to improve in a few days, call a doctor – you may have a fracture or a muscle or ligament tear.

 

  • Burn: Third-degree burns result in broken or blackened skin.  Second-degree burns cause blisters, and first-degree burns produce redness.
  • DO: Place the burn under cool running water, submerge it in a bath, or apply wet towels. Loosely bandage a first-or second-degree burn for protection.
  • Don’t: Put an ice pack on major burns.  This may damage the skin and worsen the injury.  Also, don’t pop blisters, and don’t apply an antibiotic or butter to burns, because this can lead to infection.
  • Medical Attention: Call 911 for third-degree, electrical and chemical burns, or if the victim is coughing, has watery eyes, or trouble breathing.  Go to the ER for a second-degree burn that’s larger than your palm; treatment may prevent scarring.

 

  • Choking: When a person is really choking, he can’t cough strongly, speak, or breathe, and his face may turn red or blue.  (I have seen this happen, and it took the Heimlich maneuver to save this person.) 
  • Do: Call 911.  If it is an older person, have him/her lean forward, and using the palm of your hand, strike his back between the shoulder blades five times.  When that doesn’t work, stand behind the victim, place one fist above the belly button, cup the fist with your other hand, and push in and up toward the ribs five times, as in the Heimlich.  If you are alone, press your abdomen against something firm, like a kitchen counter, or use your hands.
  • Don’t: Give water or anything else to someone who is coughing.
  • Medical Attention: Always call 911 when it is true choking.  The universal sign for choking is when the victim wraps his hands around his throat to gesture that he is choking and needs help.

 

  • Open Wound: Cuts, scrapes or punctures need to be treated promptly to avoid infection.
  • Do: Place sterile gauze on the injury and apply pressure to stop the bleeding.  Wash minor cuts and scrapes with soap and water, and follow with a thin layer of Vaseline or an antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage.
  • Don’t: Wash or apply ointment to a wound that is large, deep, or profusely bleeding.  Don’t try to remove an object protruding from the wound.
  • Medical Attention: Call 911, especially if there’s an object in the cut.  Call your doctor if the wound is deep, accompanied by a fever, or has redness, swelling or red streaks around it.

 

  • Poisoning: Cleaning supplies, carbon monoxide and pesticides are potential household and work hazards.  Also, some persons may be allergic to bee stings and insect bites. 
  • Do: Call 911 if the person is unconscious or having trouble breathing.  Otherwise, call the Poison Control Centers’ national hotline (800-222-1222).  Be ready to tell what substance was involved, how much was taken and when, and the age and weight of the victim.
  • Don’t: Wait for symptoms to appear to call for help.  Don’t give ipecac syrup or try to induce vomiting.  The poison could cause additional damage when it comes back up.  Don’t let the victim eat or drink anything unless the hotline operator tells you to do so.
  • Medical Attention: Always.

 

  • Blow to the Head:  Because the skull is very protective, hitting it rarely results in injuries to the skull itself.  However, if the force is great, the neck, back, and soft tissues inside the head can be injured.  (This is also a good time to remind those who work where something may get dropped on them, or they may run into the sides of things, nothing beats wearing a hardhat!)
  • Do: Call 911 if the person is unconscious.  Treat a bleeding struck area the same as any other cut, but follow up with your doctor, as there could be internal injuries.  Putting an ice pack on a small bump can help reduce the swelling.
  • Don’t: Leave the victim alone, especially when he’s sleeping.  Wake him/her up every three to four hours and have him answer simple questions to make sure there’s no brain injury, such as a concussion.
  • Medical Attention: Call 911 if the victim exhibits seizures, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, or obvious changes in behavior.

Again, let’s hope there won’t be a need for you to render this type of aid; but accidents happen, and it pays to be prepared.

 

Source: realsimple.com/injury