Protect Yourself from These Top 5 Causes of Work Injuries
With more than 150,000 non-fatal workplace injuries reported in Illinois annually, our Chicago work injury attorneys regularly assist with compensation claims. According to the National Safety Council, here are the top five preventable causes of work-related injuries and how they can be avoided.
Top 5 Preventable Causes of Workplace Injuries
#5: Falling Objects
This category includes items that fall from shelves as well as objects dropped by yourself or co-workers. When items fall, it’s often difficult to react quickly enough to avoid being hit.
Reduce risk by making sure you safely stacked boxes and other materials. Post warning signs in appropriate areas and wear protective equipment when necessary.
#4: Reaction Injuries
“Reaction” refers to incidents where you slip or trip, but manage to keep yourself from falling. While this sounds harmless, our Chicago work injury attorneys frequently handle cases where reactions have caused undue or unnatural stress on muscles, ligaments and other tissues.
Keep walkways and workspaces well-marked and free of obstructions. Place no-slip mats or strips in doorways and remove excess dampness from rain or snow.
#3: Personal Falls
Falls from roofs, ladders and other heights can be a result of a misstep, equipment failure or both. Install guard rails and other security measures in frequently-used areas. Provide safety training and protective gear.
#2: Slips and Falls
This category is closely related to reaction injuries, with the added risk of landing on hard surfaces or objects. Our Chicago work injury attorneys recommend following the same preventive measures and training employees regarding prompt clean-up of spills and other dangerous debris.
#1: Lastly, Overexertion Injuries
The majority of workplace injuries seen by our Chicago work injury attorneys are a result of manually transporting objects and materials. Injuries received from actions such as pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying can cause chronic pain and long-term damage.
Take these steps to avoid overexertion injuries:
Use ergonomic equipment and fixtures to reduce physical stress.
Conduct training on the proper way to perform activities like lifting and pulling.
Lastly, provide regular breaks, especially for particularly labor-intensive jobs and projects.
Don’t get lost in the red tape of workers compensation claims. Our Chicago work injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys carefully guide victims of work-related injuries through the legal process. Our office hours range from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and we also answer our phones at 708-222-2222 24/7. You can reach us through our online form or our LiveChat service. So don’t wait! We look forward to hearing from you.
