Workplace injuries are unfortunately common. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for instance, reports that there were 2.6 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2023.
Despite employer efforts to keep employees safe, workplace accidents cost companies billions of dollars annually. From medical expenses to reduced productivity and from legal action to higher business insurance premiums, the costs businesses must shoulder are immense.
More importantly, accidents cost individuals their health, security, and, in some cases, their very lives. While accidents can have long-term negative effects, many of them can be prevented. And, as the old adage says, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Here are four major reasons accidents occur in the workplace, along with how businesses can reduce these risk factors and keep their workers safe.
1. Slips, Trips, and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are the most common types of accidents in the workplace. From offices and warehouses to hospitals and construction sites, accidents due to slips, trips, and falls can occur at any moment. People can, for instance, get hurt due to wet floors, cords lying around, poor lighting, clutter, and other things.
Falls from heights, including ladders, scaffolds, and rooftops, are also common and account for a significant number of severe accidents.
Unfortunately, slips, trips, and falls can have life-changing consequences. While some may suffer only bruised pride, others may experience injuries that require significant downtime. It may be impossible to return to life as it was, requiring the injured to accept a new normal.
How to Lessen the Risks
The good news is that there are things businesses can do to reduce, if not entirely eliminate, risks. For instance, they can establish policies to ensure walkways are kept clear of clutter and obstacles. They can also, among other things, clean up spills promptly and use warning signs when the floor is wet or slippery.
2. Improper Use of Equipment and Machinery
Heavy machinery, power tools, and other equipment are vital in the workplace. But they also bring an element of risk. Accidents occur when equipment is used incorrectly, when workers aren’t properly trained and equipped for the job, and when equipment malfunctions.
How to Lessen the Risks
Businesses should provide mandatory, comprehensive training for employees before they can operate equipment. It’s also a good idea not only to insist on refresher courses or training but also to require certifications for the use of specialized equipment, such as forklifts or cranes.
3. Fatigue, Stress, and Distraction
Human factors play a significant role in work accidents. Fatigue, stress, and distraction can all contribute to work mishaps. Fatigue and stress can cause employees to make critical mistakes, while distraction can also cause work accidents. Fatigue can result from long working hours without breaks and understaffing with too few employees taking on too many responsibilities.
Distraction is also becoming a major cause of work accidents in today’s work environment. With the increasing use of mobile devices, distraction is becoming a major cause of work accidents.
How to Lessen the Risks
Businesses can help to keep workers safe by developing and implementing reasonable work schedules to prevent fatigue. They can also do the following things:
- Develop and implement policies to reduce mandatory overtime.
- Develop and implement policies to reduce stress and mental fatigue.
- Develop and implement policies to reduce distraction while at work.
- Encourage employees to voice their opinions when they’re overwhelmed.
Recognizing that employees are human beings and building systems that work for them is critical to eliminating preventable mistakes.
4. Overexertion and Repetitive Motion Injuries
Jobs or tasks that require heavy lifting, prolonged standing, and repetitive motions can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, back pain, and other injuries.
These types of injuries are common in the manufacturing industry and in office spaces where computer use is common.
How to Lessen the Risks
It’s essential for companies to offer proper training on lifting heavy objects or equipment. They should also encourage workers to stretch every now and then.
Most workplace accidents aren’t random events. They’re often the result of identifiable risks such as unsafe work environment, misuse of equipment, and fatigue and distraction.
By tackling these three major causes directly and being committed to continuous improvement, businesses can greatly reduce injury rates and build stronger and safer workplaces.
Safety is not a one-time initiative. It’s a continuous process. And at the end of the day, it’s not just the bottom line that is protected, but the very people who make success possible. After all, workplace safety is everyone’s business.
