5 Common Ways Worker Injuries Occur
On-the-job accidents and injuries can occur in any occupation, but some job fields are inherently more dangerous than others. In South Carolina, construction, utility, and manufacturing jobs continue to make up a significant portion of the job market and are among the leading fields for workplace injuries. The following details the potential dangers that exist on these job sites, as well as five of the most common and preventable ways job related injuries occur.
Common Hazards On The Job
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that those employed in construction, trade, utility, and manufacturing jobs make up more than a quarter of the total workforce in South Carolina. While employers and laborers in these fields were hit hard by economic downturns that occurred between 2008 and 2012, they slowly recovered and have maintained steady increases in the years since.
While these positions put food on the table for many families throughout the Midlands and the Lowcountry, they are among the most potentially dangerous in terms of on the job accidents and injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that workers in these fields comprise more than half of all job related injuries and deaths in the U.S. Among the most common safety hazards cited by OSHA involve the following:
- Inadequate scaffolding
- Poor communications concerning potential hazards
- Problems with ladders and harnessing
- Inadequate respiratory protection
- Issues with electrical systems and wiring
- Improper machine maintenance and guarding
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How On-The-Job Accidents and Injuries Occur
While conforming to OSHA safety standards is a legal requirement and vitally important in protecting workers, experts agree that these rules and regulations are among the many factors contributing to workplace accidents and injuries. According to Reliable Plant, a leading information resource in the manufacturing and plant management field, the following are the most common and preventable conditions under which on-the-job injuries occur:
- Improper lifting: Serious and potentially disabling muscle and tendon sprains, strains, and tears can occur when workers are not trained in the proper techniques
- Poor lighting: When handling heavy machine parts, dealing with volatile substances, and performing potentially dangerous tasks, workers often require additional lighting so that they can see what they are doing
- Excessive fatigue: Mandatory overtime and lack of breaks make grueling tasks harder and more dangerous to perform, increasing the likelihood of mistakes
- Dehydration: It’s important for workers to have plenty of access to water and other fluids, particularly in hot working environments
- Slip, trip, and fall prevention: Failing to maintain the proper flooring materials, to require the appropriate footwear, and to keep workspaces clean and clear of hazards can increase the risks of slips, trips, and falls, which are among the leading causes of on-the-job injuries
Get Help With Your Case Today
If you or someone you care about is injured on the job, contact Anastopoulo Law Firm right away. Our South Carolina workers’ compensation attorneys can advise you on your rights to benefits so that you can get the compensation you need to recover.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
