You may feel that your office in Illinois is a safe place for you to work in. But it could contain hazards that can affect your safety. Workplace injuries are a leading source of lost income and disability for many people. Although accidents can happen anywhere, when they occur on the job, the victims and their immediate family members often end up suffering from the lingering consequences.
Many workplace accident victims are eligible to receive financial compensation in the form of workers’ compensation benefits for their injuries to pay for their medical expenses, disability and vocational rehabilitation. Take some time to learn about two of the most common workplace injuries you are at risk of receiving when you are on the job.
Repetitive stress trauma
Some duties require workers to perform certain movements so often that, over time, they can lead to nerve and muscle damage. Repetitive stress injuries can interfere with your ability to perform your job and further decrease the safety of your workplace environment. Pain, loss of proper limb and joint function, and fatigue are among those most often experienced by people who have the condition. Common types of employment-related repetitive stress injuries include:
- Carpal tunnel disorder
- Tendonitis
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Myofascial damage
Repetitive stress injuries can be hard to diagnose. It can take years for them to show up. Prevention of many workplace repetitive stress injuries is as simple as using ergonomic work equipment and practices.
Slips, trips and falls
Slips and falls are likely to occur in environments where there are electrical cords and objects in the walkway. There may also be defective floors, buckled carpeting and missing safety structures like hand railings that can lead to life-threatening injuries. Common slip, trip and fall wounds include broken bones, fractures, joint dislocations and brain trauma.
Employers must stay aware of their property and work environment conditions at all times. They must make continual improvements to their employment environments to minimize the risk of harm and injury to their employees.