Injuries in the workplace are, unfortunately, a relatively common occurrence. Statistics from 2016 showed that nearly 150 workers in the United Kingdom were killed that year alone, with 621,000 non-fatal injuries also reported to have taken place.
That is a substantial number, equating to approximately 4.5 million work days being lost across the country.
This isn’t to say that all jobs are incredibly dangerous; chefs, for example, are more likely to cut or burn themselves than office workers.
Each job comes with its own hazards and risks, and it is as much the employer’s responsibility to ensure proper health and safety procedures are followed as it is the employee’s.
With this in mind, here are some key workplace injuries to watch out for, and what can you do to guard against them.
- Slips, trips, and falls
These can happen at any time, anywhere. Whether you work in a shop, factory, or office, you are bound to encounter slippery surfaces at some point, making the odd trip or slip inevitable.
Working at a height can be particularly hazardous. For builders and tradesmen who rely on ladders, scaffolding, and other platforms in their work, falling could even be potentially fatal.
It is, therefore, no surprise that these trades often require workers to complete vigorous health and safety training.
- Cuts
Workplaces could have equipment that might leave workers nursing painful cuts – from paper cuts to accidents with a power saw.
Often, these are the result of poor training, lack of concentration, or failure to use adequate protection. Employers should enforce procedures to limit the likelihood of these injuries happening.
- Repetitive strain injury
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is fast becoming one of the most common injuries at work.
Defined as an injury caused by repetitive movement, vibrations, compression, or long periods in a fixed position, you may be forgiven for thinking RSI is an injury that only affects the wrists.
While it is largely associated with typing, RSI can actually affect any joint in the body.
One of the best ways to avoid this is simply by taking regular breaks. Ergonomic equipment such as office chairs, keyboards, and computer mice can also reduce the risk of RSI.
- Crashes
Depending on where you work, crashes and collisions can be common. Accidents involving cars, trucks or forklifts can have serious consequences that might require you to take long periods of time off work.
Employers should do all they can to ensure proper safety precautions are followed. All workers should wear seat belts when driving, and never operate vehicles or heavy machinery after a boozy pub dinner.
- Weight issues
Sitting down all day can cause you to gain weight as your body isn’t burning the energy it normally would when you’re actively moving.
This could, in turn, lead to a host of health-related issues, from asthma and back pain to metabolic syndrome and myocardial infarction.
Get up and about as often as you can. Those with restricted mobility can try special chairs to help them move about.
- Loud noise
Many workers across the UK are routinely exposed to loud noises at work, leading to gradual deafness and major compensation payouts down the line.
Employers should look to avoid exposure to loud noise as much as possible, implementing effective safety methods such as ear protection.
- Toxic fumes
While most UK workers don’t work with hazardous chemicals, those who do are at a greater risk of suffering from skin- or eye-related reactions.
Protective equipment like safety goggles and biohazard suits should be worn to ensure as much protection as possible.
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the founder of Psychreg. Connect with him on Twitter @dennisr_howell.