Many people are, unfortunately, injured at work. In some cases, these injuries can be fatal, but even if they’re not, they can still be very serious and cause a lot of long-term pain. Those who are injured might not even be able to return to work. Even a smaller injury can have far-reaching effects. That’s why it’s important to avoid injuries where possible by having good health and safety precautions in place. It’s also important to know what kinds of injuries are most common – the more you know about them, the more you can do to avoid them. Read on to find out more.
Muscle Strains
Muscle strains are painful and debilitating – in a short-term way – and they can happen extremely easily, meaning that anyone in almost any profession can suddenly develop this issue. However, those who have to lift heavy objects on a regular basis are more at risk; this might include removalists or builders, for example. When you have a muscle strain, you’ll need to rest that part of the body for a few days, and that means you’ll have to take time off work. That’s not ideal if you are an employee, but it’s terrible if you’re self-employed as you could lose a lot of money.
The best thing you can do is to learn how to lift in the right way. You should be given training about this when you join a company, but if you don’t receive that training, you should look for it yourself – it could save you a lot of pain.
Repetitive Strain Injury
Repetitive strains injury (also known as RSI) can, as with all of these injuries, happen to anyone but it is often associated with those who have to use their fine motor skills and manual dexterity for a long time. This could mean typing at a keyboard for hours, or perhaps working in the dental field or performing surgeries, for example.
In a lot of situations, RSI can mean that the joint in question (usually the wrist, although the knee and ankle are also at risk) becomes immobile – clearly this is a problem. Using ergonomic equipment is a good way to reduce the problems, but it’s also a good idea to learn more about your specific working environment. Look at combatting an RSI in the dental industry and you’ll get information that will help and protect you in your work.
Head Injuries
Head injuries can happen in any industry, even in what you might think of as a safe place, like an office. Objects falling from shelves, for example, can cause a head injury, as can mishandling equipment. Head injuries can be very serious, resulting in long-term disability or even death. The problems might not even surface for years, but when they do, they can be linked back to a workplace accident in many cases.
To avoid head injuries from falling objects, make sure that all shelving is firmly attached to the walls, and that any objects on them are placed back from the edge, and, if they need to be stacked, larger objects are at the bottom of the pile. Safety PPE, such as hard hats, should also be worn in environments that have the potential to cause head injuries.
