As any business owner can tell you, workplaces can be hazardous to employees. Every year, more than $50 billion is spent on worker disability claims.
The saddest part is that most workplace injuries can be easily avoided if a few simple changes are made. Identifying risks within the workplace and making corrections, retraining workers to follow safe practices, and installing and using ergonomically beneficial tools and products can significantly reduce the number or injuries and claims payouts.
Focus on Safety
While every workplace is unique, the insurance company Liberty Mutual recently conducted an analysis of the most common workplace injuries. by focusing on just these 10 issues, many businesses will be able to substantially alleviate their amount of risk.
Here, then, are the Top 10 Most Common Accidents Resulting in Disability Claims, as identified by Liberty Mutuals 2016 Workplace Safety Index.
Overexertion Involving an Outside Source
This alone accounted for nearly 25% of all injuries resulting in direct costs to employers. This category includes injuries related to lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, or throwing objects. Overexertion involving an outside source costs US businesses $15.08 billion in direct costs, according to the report.
Training employees on proper lifting techniques, providing the appropriate lifting equipment, and properly supervising employees to make sure they are always following safety guidelines and acting appropriately in the workplace can reduce these types of accidents.
Falls on the Same Level
This category costs businesses $10.17 billion and accounted for 16.4% of the total injury burden to US companies. It includes workers falling on flat surfaces, either while carrying materials or while simply walking or standing.
Requiring workers to wear non-skid shoes and keeping floor surfaces free from oils, debris, and other hazards can help significantly reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents.
Falls to a Lower Level
This was the third-ranked risk and cost $5.4 billion in claims. Falls from heights typically results in more serious injuries that can result in higher injury claims.
This type of injury is one of the easiest to prevent. Simply walk through your workplace and identify areas where there is a difference between levels. Installing railings, chains, or other protective devices — as well as warning signs — in these areas should eliminate most of these injuries immediately.
Other Common Causes of Workplace Injuries
Rounding out the list were:
- Struck by an Object or Equipment
- Other Exertions or Bodily Reactions
- Roadway Incidents Involving Motorized Land Vehicle
- Slip or Trip without Fall
- Caught In/Compressed by Equipment or Objects
- Struck Against Object or Equipment
- Repetitive Motions Involving Micro-Tasks