Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers: Preventing Common Workplace Injuries

Posted on July 18, 2016

There are some workplace injuries that are more common than others, and if workers know what they are, they can take steps to avoid them. Identifying and anticipating these common injuries can help prevent costly medical expenses. According to a study conducted by Travelers’ Insurance, the following are the most common types of workplace accidents and injuries:

Top Five Causes of Accidents on the Job:

  1. Material handling
  2. Slips, trips, and falls
  3. Struck by, or colliding with an object
  4. Tool-related accidents
  5. Cumulative trauma, or injuring or straining the body from overuse

Top Five Types of Injuries:

  1. Strains and sprains
  2. Cuts or punctures
  3. Contusions
  4. Inflammation
  5. Fractures

The construction industry is known for its potentially hazardous work environments, but any job that involves lifting, lowering, emptying or carrying can result in an injury. Restaurant workers, retail clerks, and even people who work in offices can be seriously injured at work if they lift something that is too heavy, slip on a wet floor, or fall from a ladder while stocking clothes on a shelf.

But there are steps an employer can take to reduce the risk of these accidents from occurring.

  • Maintain a clean working space. Make sure that all common areas are clear, well lit, and have dry, slip-resistant flooring.
  • Use ladders with caution. Make sure that employees know how to use ladders properly, and they only use them on a stable surface. Never climb higher than specified by the manufacturer. Ideally, employees should work in teams when using a ladder.
  • Make the proper safety equipment available. Provide the safety equipment that employees need to safely do their job, and make sure they understand how and when to use them.
  • Educate employees on the importance of ergonomics. Proper posture, supportive chairs, specially designed keyboards, and proper lighting can all reduce injuries caused by repetitive stress.
  • Stay current on the latest hazards and provide tips on how to avoid them. Even new advances in technology can cause unpredictable hazards, like “distracted walking,” which can cause tripping or falling when using a cell phone.
  • Make safety a priority. Establish a culture that prioritizes safety and provide incentives and rewards for employees who follow these procedures.
  • Keep first-aid kit on site. In case of minor injuries, like cuts, abrasions or puncture wounds, make sure that a well-stocked first aid kit is available and that employees know how to use each of the items inside. If some cuts are not treated quickly, it can lead to infections.
  • Maintain an incident report log. Regardless of how minor the injury may be, an incident report log, including detailed information about the date, time, cause, and treatment provided, will provide critical information for Workers’ Compensation claims.

Baltimore Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Employees Who Have Been Injured on the Job

If you or someone you love has been affected by any of these common workplace injuries, contact our Baltimore Workers’ Compensation lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will help you through every step of the claims process, and ensure that you receive the maximum compensation based on the severity of your injury. For a free consultation, call us today at 844-556-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.