Occupational Accidents Are Still A Major Risk For Employees

New Delhi [India], March 13: An occupational accident, also known as a workplace accident, is an unexpected event in the workplace that can lead to injury and have the potential to turn employees’ lives upside down. It can happen in particularly hazardous environments, whether on the company’s premises or off it, and the reasons can range from a lack of training and poor safety standards to a lack of communication in the company. 

Many businesses overlook the importance of workplace safety because they are too focused on other responsibilities and don’t think that an accident could happen on their premises. However, preventive measures are always important to avoid injuries that could sometimes be fatal.

What are the types of accidents that can happen within the workplace?

Not all fields of activity involve the same risk of accidents, as some branches are more susceptible than others when it comes to the occurrence of such events that could threaten the lives of employees, such as construction, building maintenance, chemical industry, or sectors that deal with complex machines. Some of the most common types of occupational accidents include:

Slips, trips, and falls 

Slips, trips, and falls can happen due to several reasons and in any work environment. While such an accident can be fatal for employees, it’s also among the easiest ones to avoid. Oftentimes, employees forget to close file drawers, or they don’t use adequate equipment when reaching for items, which can put lives at risk.

Similarly, loose electrical cords and wires can be an issue in the workplace, causing the risk of tripping and falling and leading to back injury. A back injury is, in fact, one of the most common injuries that employees can suffer at work due to this type of accident, and they are entitled to claim compensation when this happens. To learn more about back injury compensation, please visit https://www.legalexpert.co.uk/how-to-claim/back-injury-claims/.

If the workplace is well-maintained, employees can work in safe conditions that allow them to thrive and stay productive. It’s often easier for client-facing businesses to keep the workplace tidy compared to those who don’t have so many regular visits.

It is essential to ensure all employees clean wet floors, spills, or slippery surfaces, and in case they notice something’s not right, they should report it to the manager so that the spillages can be dealt with in a timely manner.

Employers also have the responsibility of putting tidying processes in place to prevent hazards from building up, leading to injuries, which can be done by signposting rules for workers who use toilets and kitchen areas or facilitating cleaners for them.

Falling from height

Falling from heights is another type of accident that can happen, especially in construction environments. It is still quite common, showing that project managers and contractors aren’t doing what it takes to ensure workers’ safety or that workers aren’t aware of the risks involved when working at heights.

To prevent falls from heights, it’s essential to provide adequate equipment or warn people to stay away from hazardous areas. Employers are responsible for implementing good practices and planning operations properly while also ensuring that employees stick to that specific plan. 

Being struck by a moving object

In sectors where vehicles or heavy objects may cross with access to pedestrians, there is a risk of employees getting hit by moving objects, which is especially true when it comes to jobs where temporary structures may be installed or built or on construction sites. 

Given the nature of the work, the objects being moved can be so heavy that they cause severe injuries, or even fatal ones, as workplace reports have shown.

As a solution to mitigate the risk of this accident, employers should signpost areas in which heavy objects or vehicles are moving while also reminding employees to always be aware of their surroundings by listening out and staying alert before and while walking.

Furthermore, they should wear PPE (personal protective equipment), like hard hats, to help safeguard against objects, and employers should provide them with this equipment so that they can safely do the job. 

Handling, lifting, or carrying

Many non-fatal workplace injuries happen due to lifting, handling, or carrying objects, indicating that many employees underestimate the risks associated with these work tasks and that employers are not taking the right measures to prevent the worst-case scenario from occurring.

Nearly any physical activity will get tiring if it’s being done for a long time, and accidents such as lifting, pulling, bending, pushing, and kneeling – or anything else related to physical exertion – are very common, especially if the activities are done without employees taking any break at all. 

But even jobs that don’t require lifting heavy loads can pose threats, such as lifting files or boxes. If proper lifting techniques aren’t implemented, these tasks can be detrimental to an employee’s health, leading to long-term arm, neck, or back injuries that may affect their ability to get daily tasks done. Moreover, workers carrying lighter objects risk knocking themselves, falling, or dropping the item, which can further cause additional hazards.

Conclusion

Workplace accidents can have devastating effects on employees’ lives, going beyond physical injuries. Employees who suffer a workplace accident may face significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, or even PTSD, requiring the help of a mental health professional to process the overwhelming emotions regarding the event.

Furthermore, they can lead to financial losses for the employee and, implicitly, for the employer, who may face increased insurance premiums and lawsuits, as well as reputational damage. 

Besides, if employees are injured at work, they won’t be able to be productive anymore, which impacts the business itself. In other words, everyone in the workplace is affected if an employee gets injured at work, which is why it is so incredibly important to implement the right measures and prevent such events from occurring.

In this blog, we’ve looked at the different accidents within the workplace and provided some solutions on how to avoid them in order to keep employees safe and engaged with their work. Now, it’s time to take action and put safety first within the workplace!