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Common Workplace Injuries and How to Prevent Them

Workplace injuries are a common occurrence, and they can happen to anyone. In 2021, Texas private businesses reported 178,900 cases of occupational injuries and illnesses. Unfortunately, these injuries often lead to hefty medical bills and time away from work.

What Types of Workplace Injuries Frequently Occur in Texas?

There are a variety of work-related injuries that arise in Texas, including:

Overexertion Injuries

Overexertion injuries are often seen in physically demanding jobs. If you have to lift heavy items or handle bulky products, you might suffer from tears, strains, or sprains in your muscles and tendons.
Employees who work in construction or factory jobs are more likely to face these types of injuries than those with desk jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 14,000 employees in Texas suffered from overexertion injuries in 2020.

Slip and Fall Injuries

While most employers try to create a safe environment for their employees, workplaces sometimes have slippery floors, cluttered walkways, and unbalanced surfaces. If a floor was recently mopped with no warning signs in sight, you may slip, fall, and seriously injure yourself.
In 2020, Texas had over 15,000 employee slip and fall injuries—making it one of the most common workplace accidents.

Object Impact Injuries

Object impact injuries occur when an object falls on an employee and causes bodily harm. If you are walking and someone working above drops a heavy tool, it may strike you and cause injury. This type of harm may also arise if you are working with a machine and it malfunctions and injures another employee walking by.

Work-Related Car Accident Injuries

Many jobs require employees to drive. If you are injured in a car accident during a work-related duty, you may be able to pursue a claim to cover damages.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

Repetitive motion injuries are caused by repeated movement during tasks such as typing or operating a machine. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common repetitive motion injury in the hands and wrists. This type of injury can have significant complications if left untreated. In Texas, 770 employees suffered from repetitive motion injuries in 2020.

How to Prevent Workplace Injuries

While some workplace injuries may be out of your control, others can be prevented. These tips can help reduce your risk of sustaining an injury while you’re on the job:

Wear safety equipment

If you work in an environment with different types of machines and equipment, it’s wise to wear proper safety equipment. This includes goggles, safety glasses, a hard hat, and face shield.

Participate in training

Employers should train their employees based on applicable OSHA standards. Attend any training and safety-related work sessions, particularly if the job is high-risk. Employees should understand how to safely operate equipment or machinery they use and be aware of general emergency procedures.

Reduce stress

Employees who suffer from stress at work are more likely to sustain an injury. Stress can lead to violent or unpredictable behavior, distractibility, and damaging long-term health effects. Unfortunately, this feeling is common: 83% of employees in the U.S. experience work-related stress. If you are overwhelmed, know you are not alone—ask for help or talk to your supervisor.

Remain aware of your surroundings

When you’re walking around your workplace, pay attention to everything going on around you. By doing so, you’ll be able to notice safety hazards like clutter, falling objects, and slippery floors.

Contact The Law Giant for Help

If you sustain an injury while at work, you are entitled to fight for compensation that will help you cover your damages. This compensation includes helping pay your medical bills and lost wages. Contact a Texas work injury lawyer at Begum Law Group Injury Lawyers today to learn about the types of compensation you might be eligible for. Call us at 866-435-5219, or reach out via the online form to schedule a free case consultation today.

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