Workplace Injury Lawyers: What Are the Most Common Types of Workplace Injuries?

December 30, 2022 at 8:00 AM

Over the last few decades, work-related injuries and fatality rates have declined due to new health and safety measures that have been implemented. Research from the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) shows that daily occupational fatalities have decreased from 38 per day in 1970 to 15 per day in 2019. While work still needs to be done to get the number down to zero, it’s a vast improvement from 40 years ago.

But despite the number of fatalities going down, common work injuries still occur. We’ll discuss the most common work-related injuries and provide helpful guidelines for preventing them.

Most common workplace injuries

Here are the most common workplace injuries, according to workplace injury lawyers.

1. Slip and fall accidents

Slip and fall accidents are perhaps the most common workplace injuries and the top reason for worker’s compensation claims. Common examples of slip and fall accidents include:

Slipping on a wet, oily, or icy floor
Tripping due to unprotected sides or holes, poor lighting, or clutter
Falling off ladders, roofs, or skyscraper construction areas

These injuries can be prevented by being aware of your surroundings and following rules and regulations set by OSHA. If you work in an environment where falls are possible, you should know what to do if you find yourself in that situation, as sometimes injuries that seem minor have lasting consequences.

2. Crashes or collisions

Whether you’re driving a work vehicle or working around them, you’re placing yourself at risk of getting hurt in a crash or collision. For example, if you’re working on the ground in a warehouse, you could be hit or run over by a forklift. Other circumstances that can lead to injuries from a crash or collision include:

Falling from a vehicle
Being struck by objects falling from a vehicle
Getting stuck under an overturned vehicle
Semi, tractor-trailer, and tanker truck crash

If you are operating a motorized vehicle, remember to wear your seat belt and take the proper safety measures established by your employer.

3. Overexterion and muscle strains

Overexertion injuries, such as repetitive strain injuries and muscle strains, are known to cause pain and lead to a loss in productivity. These injuries can be caused by the following:

Using improper lifting techniques
Manually lifting heavy objects
Working repetitively with no breaks
Lifting, carrying, pushing, or throwing

Your employer should provide proper training on how to perform physical tasks correctly. To avoid overexertion injuries, ensure you are receiving all your breaks and are using them to rest and stretch. And if you experience any pain or discomfort stemming from your job, speak to a doctor immediately.

4. Exposure to harmful substances

If you work in loud environments or around hazardous chemicals, you may expose yourself to severe injuries to your ears, eyes, skin, and respiratory systems if you don’t take the proper precautions. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with chemical safety data sheets and wear appropriate ear protection, safety goggles, gloves, and other required PPE when working with harmful substances or loud noises.

Contact a workers comp attorney in Southern California.