For the past few years, the number of workplace accidents in the private sector had been dropping. However, that is no longer the case. In 2018, the rate of non-fatal illnesses and injuries remained stagnant, at 2.8 per 100 full-time workers, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported. This was the first time since 2012 that the number of workplace injuries and illnesses did not decrease.
This is troubling news for workers, and those that employ them. So, what can employees and employers do to improve workplace safety? They should understand the dangers of their work environment and learn what precautions should be taken to prevent injuries and illness.
How to Prevent Workplace Injuries
Although the stats on workplace injuries are alarming, there are measures that can be put into place to prevent them from occurring. The three biggest tips for preventing workplace injuries include:
Create a safety and wellness plan: This is the foundation of ensuring no employees become injured in the workplace. The plan must detail which safety measures are to be used on the job and encourage workers to report dangerous practices or behavior.
Continuing education: All managers and employees should continue to receive education pertaining to the safety of the work environment.
No shortcuts: Too often employers try to take shortcuts in order to maximize productivity. In the end, this will only hurt production as a whole as people will become injured and miss days of work. All safety procedures must be followed to the fullest extent at all times.
Workplace Injury Statistics
Unfortunately, workplace injury statistics show just how easily accidents can happen.
Every 7 seconds, an employee is hurt at work.
510 workers are hurt every hour, which means 12,600 people are hurt every day, 88,500 employees are hurt every week, and over 4.5 million employees are hurt every year.
In 2017, there were over 104 million production days lost due to work-related injuries.
The three most common types of workplace injuries include sprains, strains, and tears; soreness and pain; and punctures, cuts, or lacerations.
The top five occupations with the biggest number of on-the-job injuries include servicemen, such as firefighters and police; transportation and shipping; manufacturing and production; installation, maintenance, and repair; and construction.
If you have been injured at work, you need the help of an experienced Medford workers’ compensation attorney. At Brooks Law, we will handle your application for benefits, refute any claims that your employer raises to try to prevent you from receiving benefits, and fight for the full amount of compensation you deserve.
Contact us online for your free case evaluation to learn more about how we can help. There is no charge to begin work on your claim, and you only pay us if we recover money for you.