HOW ACCIDENTS HAPPEN

Workplace accidents occur for many different reasons.  Floors, walkways, and ground surfaces account for roughly 19 percent of all sources of injury or illness.  Make sure ground surfaces are clear of objects that someone could trip over and make sure they are not slippery.  Spilled liquids need to be cleaned up promptly to reduce slips and falls.  Remember that you are less likely to slip if you have proper treads on your footwear.  Also, slips and falls can result from carrying too much and you cannot see where you are walking.

Improper storage of supplies and merchandise can lead to accidents.  Cleaning materials, toner, and other toxic chemicals needs to be properly stored.  They should not be stored with supplies such as paper and pens.  Employees must be trained on how to store toxic chemicals so to limit exposure.  Electrical burns are also a common cause of workplace accidents. 

Workplace burns account for 20%-25% of all serious burns requiring hospital attention and they account for about 5% of all workplace deaths.  Make sure you are fully trained on how to use electrical equipment and that all electrical equipment has clearly displayed warnings on them to prevent electrical burns.  Thermal workplace burns result in skin burns and are caused by scalding from such things as grease and boiling water, open flames, and explosions.  Chemical burns result in a severe type of burn and can occur when skin or eyes come into contact with strong acids.  Remember to wear protective clothing and eye goggles to prevent this from happening.   

Car and truck accidents are the leading cause of work-related death.  If you drive for a living or use your vehicle during work hours to drive to meetings, remember not to multi-task while driving.  Do not use your cell phone while behind the wheel and, especially if it’s a long trip, stop and stretch every two hours or pull over and take a 20 minute nap.

You may think that workplace safety only needs to be addressed by companies that perform dangerous activities, such as mills, factories, and auto manufacturers.  Office jobs also pose threats to your safety due to your lack of movement since you find yourself sitting in one place for a long period of time.  You want to make sure your chair is at a proper height so you can reach your keyboard while maintaining good posture.  Also, if you have to stare at a computer monitor, you can develop problems with your vision.  It is important to have a thorough eye examination every year and refrain from sitting too close to the monitor.  You may also want to reduce the glare on your computer monitor and allow for breaks during your workday.  Cluttered work areas are also a way accidents can happen.  Sharp instruments such as letter openers or box cutters can be on a messy desk and you would not even know it until you already suffer an injury.