Top ten workplace accidents
Recognising and addressing common workplace accidents is a must for both employees and employers. It can significantly reduce the risk of injuries, foster a safer workplace culture, and help the company avoid legal and financial repercussions. Let’s explore our top ten.
1) Slips and trips
It doesn’t matter if you work in retail, a warehouse or an office, if you’re up and about at any point, there is a risk of slips and trips. These are often caused by wet floors, loose cables, uneven surfaces or cluttered walkways. Poor lighting can also play a role in trip hazards.
To tackle these common injuries, you and your employer should be assessing risks each day at work. Keep walkways clear, ensure proper lighting, and promptly clean up any spills.
2) Muscle injuries
Muscle injuries are almost as common as slips and trips — and again, these can happen anywhere. Muscle strains, sprains and soft tissue injuries often occur from lifting heavy objects, sudden movements or repetitive tasks.
These injuries are typical among workers engaged in manual labour, as well as if you regularly sit at desks without proper back support. Regular training on safe lifting techniques and proper ergonomic adjustments to workstations can help prevent these injuries.
3) Cuts and burns
Cuts are more common in environments where sharp tools are used and burns are typically associated with hot surfaces, machinery, or chemicals. Both injuries can also happen because of inadequate safety equipment or lack of protective gear.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a duty of care to make sure that workers have access to appropriate safety equipment, including gloves, goggles, and protective clothing. Additionally, proper training in handling tools and machinery can greatly reduce these risks.
4) Harmful substances exposure
Some workplaces can expose you to hazardous substances — which can lead to exposure to toxic chemicals, fumes or biological agents. This is prevalent in the healthcare, manufacturing and cleaning service industries, where workers may be in contact with dangerous materials.
Having the right personal protective equipment (PPE), clear labelling of hazardous substances and regular training are all essential for reducing exposure risks.
5) Falls from height
If you work in construction, a warehouse, or in maintenance, where you might work on ladders, scaffolding or elevated platforms, falls from height can be commonplace.
It’s up to employers to ensure that employees working at height have secure equipment like harnesses and guardrails and that they are trained in safe practices when using ladders or scaffolding.
6) Manual handling accidents
Manual handling injuries are extremely common in warehouses, where lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling heavy items can result in injuries if done incorrectly. These accidents are often a result of poor technique or trying to move too much weight without assistance.
Regular training and using mechanical aids like trolleys or hoists can reduce the risk of these injuries.
7) Repetitive strain injuries
Also known as RSIs, repetitive strain injuries happen when repetitive movements, like typing or assembling parts, strain certain muscle groups. This is common among office workers, factory workers, and anyone whose job requires repetitive tasks.
Again, training is essential to preventing these injuries, as well as ergonomic adjustments, frequent breaks and exercises.
8) Vehicle-related accidents
In workplaces where vehicles are regularly used, like construction sites, warehouses, and delivery services, vehicle-related accidents can be fairly common. These accidents often involve forklifts, trucks or other machinery and can result from improper training, insufficient maintenance or hazardous site conditions.
To prevent these accidents, your employer must make sure that only trained employees operate vehicles on-site and all vehicles should be maintained regularly.
9) Falling objects
In some workplaces, especially warehouses, factories and construction sites, falling objects can be common. As a result of such accidents, injuries can include trauma, crushing or even maiming.
To prevent injuries from falling objects, your employer should secure all materials stored at height, provide protective equipment like hard hats and make sure tools are tethered when working above ground.
10) Electrical accidents
If you work in an environment with live electricity, like a manufacturing plant, construction site or in maintenance — electrical accidents can occur. These accidents can result from faulty wiring, lack of protective gear, or inadequate training on safe electrical practices.
To prevent electrical accidents, you should stay on top of all training, wear the correct PPE and always be on the lookout for live wires.
What to do if you have an accident at work
If the worst has happened and you’ve been involved in an accident at work, follow these steps to protect both your health and any potential legal case you may want to pursue after the fact:
- Report the accident: You need to immediately inform your supervisor or employer about the incident. Prompt reporting is important for any future legal case.
- Seek medical attention: No matter how minor your injuries might seem, you should always seek medical advice. A medical professional can diagnose and document your injury, which is important if you decide to file a claim.
- Document everything: Take notes on the circumstances of the accident, collect witness information if available, and take photos if relevant.
- File a Claim: Contact Express Solicitors to help you understand your rights and to assist with filing a compensation claim if applicable.
If you have been injured at work and it wasn’t your fault, filing a personal injury claim against your workplace can bring you much deserved compensation as well as peace of mind after any trauma you lived through.
Why choose Express Solicitors?
At Express Solicitors, we bring over 20 years of experience in handling legal claims, with a strong focus on workplace accident cases. Our team of dedicated professionals will work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, ensuring your rights are protected. Additionally, we operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, so you can proceed without worrying about upfront costs.
If you’ve been injured at work, don’t hesitate to reach out.