Workplace injuries can happen in any industry, and they can be costly, inconvenient and debilitating to both employees and the company as a whole.
Travelers, which provides workers’ compensation insurance, analyzed its claims data to find the most common on-the-job accidents and injuries. Here are the most frequent workplace injuries, according to the company’s recent Injury Impact Report:
- Strains and sprains
- Cuts or punctures
- Contusions (bumps and bruises)
- Inflammation (e.g., tendinitis)
- Fractures
The leading causes of these injuries include material handling (32 percent); slips, trips and falls (16 percent); being struck by or colliding with an object (10 percent); accidents involving tools (7 percent); and traumas occurring over time (4 percent).
According to Travelers, it’s important to focus on protection and recovery techniques in the workplace to prevent injuries and minimize their effects if they do occur.
“The most common injuries we see can often be prevented if the proper safety measures are in place, if safety issues are promptly addressed and if leaders continuously emphasize a culture of safety with employees,” Woody Dwyer, second vice president of workers’ compensation and risk control at Travelers, said in a statement.
To help prevent workplace injuries, Travelers recommends that employers hire only the candidates who are truly qualified for the job and understand the safety hazards involved. From there, workers should participate in safety programs and training sessions. Leaders should also provide support to employees, ensuring appropriate communication regarding safety measures, Travelers representatives said.
If an accident or injury does happen, it’s important to put your employees on the path to recovery as quickly as possible, Dwyer noted.
“Even seemingly minor injuries, such as strains or sprains, can substantially impact an employee and slow a business’s operations and productivity,” Dwyer said.
By supplying the proper equipment and support to your employees, you can help them to recover more quickly.
The report was based on the analysis of more than 1.5 million workers’ compensation claims filed between 2010 and 2014 by various businesses and industries.
Author: Sammi Caramela
Source: Business News Daily