9 Common Causes of Work Place Accidents
Each year various groups compile list to determine the most common type of work place accident and their causes. Liberty Mutual has come out with a study which analysis 2014 data of all work place accidents.
Injuries related to over exertion including injuries related to lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, carrying or throwing objects.
The top category for injuries in the workplace come from lifting, pushing or carrying objects. Lifting or pushing can injure not only your back and neck, put also shoulders, elbows, wrist. Herniated disk and rotator cuff tears are all too common. It is important to report these injuries immediately to get medical care so that the injury doesn’t get worse.
1. Falls from same level
The next most common injury is from falls from the same level. These falls can occur for any number of reasons. Many workers trip of objects in the workplace or slip in substances that have been spilled
2. Falls to lower level
The third most common type of accident, but often times the most fatal, are falls to a lower level. Construction workers are especially vulnerable to this type of work place injury. It is very important to wear safety harnesses when off the ground. Even if a worker is not using safety equipment, the injury is still covered under the workers compensation system. An employer is not allowed to blame the injured worker for the accident and deny the worker benefits due under the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act.
3. Struck by Objects or Equipment
Being struck by objects (boxes, supplies,inventory) and equipment (forklifts, saws, moving parts) accounts for over 7% of workplace accidents. Being struck by an object is one of the leading causes of construction-related deaths. Workers are most often struck by: heavy equipment and vehicles, likes trucks and cranes; falling or flying objects, like tools and flying particles; and concrete or masonry walls that are being constructed
4. Exertion Other than Lifting, Pushing, Pulling, Holding, Carrying or Throwing Objects
Accident can also occur when bending, crawling, reaching, twisting, climbing, stepping, kneeling, sitting, standing or walking. Sometimes just turning to reach for an object can cause an injury.
5. Motor Vehicle Accidents
Injuries from motor vehicle accidents that occur at work are covered under the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act. That includes for workers that do not drive as a primary function of their job. Salesman, mobile nurses and therapist, daycare workers, government employees and anyone else that is carrying out a function of their job while in a motor vehicle accident are covered for their injuries.
6. Slip or Trip Without Fall
Sometimes people are injured from slipping or tripping even though they do not fall. These injuries only make up 3.6% of all work place injuries, but can be serious. Many times workers are hurt trying to catch themselves.
7. Caught In or Compression by Equipment
One common and dangerous workplace accident occurs when someone is caught or compressed in a piece of equipment. Workers should make sure to tie back hair, take off jewelry and wear tight clothing when working around equipment to minimize the chances of being caught or pulled into machinery.
8. Struck Against Objects or Equipment
A person forcefully strikes an object. The person provides the force or energy. These can occur when an employee walks into something accidentally.
9 Repetitive Motions Involving Micro-Tasks
Repetitive motion cases such as carpal tunnel are covered under the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act. Carpal tunnel is not the only repetitive injury; however, these cases are getting harder to prove to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commissioner.
By knowing the most common types of accidents, we can work together to prevent them.
If you have questions about your workers’ compensation claim or any other questions about your legal rights, please contact Venus Poe today at 864-963-0310 or click here to fill out an online case evaluation form. We have offices in Greenville, South Carolina and Fountain Inn, South Carolina to better serve you. There is no obligation or charge for our initial consultation to see if we can help you with your workers’ compensation claim.
The information you obtain in this article is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.You should not read this article to propose specific action or address specific circumstances, but only to give you a sense of general principles of law. Application of these general principles to particular circumstances must be done by a lawyer who has spoken with you in confidence, learned all relevant information, and explored various options. Before acting on these general principles, you should hire a lawyer licensed to practice law in the jurisdiction in which you may have a case.