subject: What Are The Most Common Accidents In The Workplace? [print this page] Health and safety measures are put in place for a reason, as no matter what industry you are in, you are not invincible and even the most apparently harmless of things can cause injury to you. Whilst some or all of these may never happen to you, it is vital that you never become complacent or lazy at work and stay safe.
Below are the most common workplace accidents to occur in 2010, applicable to all sorts of workplaces (offices, factories, shops, kitchens, etc):
Manual handling
Whilst it should be a simple task, the very act of manual handling presents a number of dangers, particularly if the employee has not been properly trained in how to do it. When lifting heavy objects, always bend the knees and never pick up with an arched back, as this can cause serious injuries such as hernias and slipped discs. If you are required to perform lots of heavy lifting, look into a chest support brace or request to the manager that other equipment is brought in, as the human body can only take so much strain.
Falls and slips
Perhaps one of the most common accidents is purely down to badly-organised floor layouts or spillages that have not been cautioned with a sign. Its a simple fix really just tidy away any trailing cables, notify the manager of any spillages and mark them with a sign, and if you notice that the floor layout is causing a number of trips, say something. A trip can be as minor as just a sore arm to a broken leg, as no fall is the same and no environment either if you work in a factory or at high-levels, you should also wear harnesses to protect yourself from potentially-lethal falls.
Electrical accidents
With almost a complete reliance on technology, the problems attributed to using electricity are as pressing as ever there will likely be no workplace that doesnt include some sort of electrical equipment. No matter what that equipment may be, it should always be carefully maintained and supervised and all staff should be well trained in how to use it. Trained inspectors should carry out inspections of all equipment, particularly in factory settings to ensure that it is safe to use and presents no danger.
No matter where you work, there are potential dangers everywhere, so you have to make sure that careful safety guidelines are in place and that these are made known to all staff, to prevent any kind of injuries occurring.
