The latest workplace injury statistics show that eight out of ten injuries result from overexertion, slips and falls, and contact with equipment. This is due to the repetitive motions people are required to perform and the constant exposure to different materials. In addition, injuries may also result from contact with objects. Listed below are the most common causes of workplace injuries. Read on to learn more. Posted below are several ways you can prevent workplace injuries.
High-stress work environments
A recent study found that 40% of workers experience extreme levels of job stress. This figure is far higher than the rate found by Yale University, which found that 29% of workers reported extreme levels of job stress. Stress levels vary widely between professions and populations, but are most prevalent among younger workers, women, and people with lower-skilled jobs. Casual full-time workers also face the greatest risk of job-related stress.
Stress is another major contributor to workplace injury statistics. High-stress work environments can be created by a number of factors, such as a poor management style, a lack of advancement opportunities, and rapid changes. All of these factors can increase a worker’s stress level and cause accidents and illnesses. These injuries can be preventable if companies can address the underlying causes of stress at work.
Repetitive actions
Repetitive actions are responsible for many of the injuries that occur in the workplace. Overusing muscles or doing repetitive actions can lead to injuries. Studies have shown that workers in poultry plants in Mississippi were only allowed three bathroom breaks each week. These injuries are often preventable. In addition to the injuries caused by repetitive actions, there are also several factors that contribute to workplace injury statistics. Here are a few of these factors. These factors include:
Repetitive motion is the most common type of injury at work. While a sudden accident can be catastrophic, workers are more likely to sustain injury from repetitive motion. This type of injury can cause undue strain on the body and can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and back pain. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employees suffer more than one hundred different types of injury from repetitive actions in the workplace. These injuries can affect the whole body, resulting in pain and even disability.
Contact with objects and equipment
According to the Workplace Safety Index, contact with objects and equipment accounts for over one-third of workplace injuries. Older workers are particularly vulnerable to slips and falls, so they should wear protective footwear to avoid getting hurt. Contact with equipment and objects also poses a significant risk to younger workers. As a result, workplace regulations must be enforced to reduce these risks. In addition, they must be feasibly implemented.
The BLS publishes a variety of workplace injury statistics on a regular basis. These include the number of people injured by contact with objects and equipment, and how often they occurred. For example, a worker may have sustained a head injury after knocking over a heavy piece of equipment. Likewise, a worker may suffer a lower back injury due to contact with an object, such as a piece of equipment.
Slips, trips, and falls
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, falls and slips are the most common causes of accidental death and account for 15 percent of all work-related accidents. Falls are also the leading cause of death and are classified as either elevated falls on the same level. The causes of falls and slips are largely unknown. The terminology used in STFL sections differs widely, reflecting different reporting agencies and research groups.
While men and women are equally at risk of falling and being injured, the incidence of a slip and fall accident is higher in women. More women than men will fall and trip at work during their lifetime, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. In addition to fatalities, slips and falls account for more than 8 million emergency room visits and more than 1 million lost work days. Listed below are the statistics on slips, trips, and falls.
Unintentional drug or alcohol use
Workplace fatalities due to drug and alcohol use are on the rise. In 2017, the number of fatal workplace overdoses rose by nearly twenty-five percent, up from 217 in 2010. Since 2010, workplace drug and alcohol overdose deaths have increased by 25 percent or more each year. That does not include overdoses that result in death and accidents involving drug or alcohol impairment. Still, the trend is troubling and poses a significant risk to employers.
According to the National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2019, unintentional drug and alcohol use increased by nearly twelve percent. This increase is the sixth consecutive year that unintentional drug or alcohol use in the workplace has risen. The rise in deaths from drug and alcohol use can be prevented by monitoring workplaces for signs of drug or alcohol abuse. In addition, employees should consider a drug and alcohol policy that promotes health and safety.
Age-related factors
There are numerous age-related factors to be considered when looking at workplace injury statistics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over a third of U.S. adults age 50 and older have jobs that require physical exertion. While these individuals are generally less likely to sustain a work-related injury, they still may face a high risk of disability and reduced hours. A careful assessment of the workplace environment and a thorough return-to-work program are crucial in minimizing the risks associated with these injuries.
One study found that younger workers were more likely to suffer a workplace injury than older adults. In addition, the severity of work-related injuries varied between young and older workers. For example, young adult women suffered half the risk of cuts compared to older adults. In addition, their incidence rates of sprains and strains were significantly lower. In addition, these findings suggest that these age groups may be moving out of the prototypical adolescent injury risk period, but have not yet fully entered the adult phase. Understanding these differences could help researchers focus their injury prevention interventions on the appropriate age groups.
