Workplace accidents happen every year, no matter what steps people take to prevent them. After all, that is why they are called accidents. However, there are certain industries that see more accidents, and accidents that are more common than others.
Knowing what these are can help increase awareness and promote compliance with safety standards to reduce the number – and cost – of workplace illnesses and injuries.
Recently, Liberty Mutual released a list of the most common and costly causes of workplace accidents. Those include:
- Overexertion involving outside sources (23.65 percent of accidents)
- Falls on the same level (18.72 percent of accidents)
- Being struck by equipment or an object (9.42 percent of accidents)
- Falls to a lower level (8.99 percent of accidents)
- Other exertions and bodily reactions (6.65 percent of accidents)
Other common causes of injury included slips, roadway accidents and repetitive motions.
Combined, the top 10 causes of disabling work-related injuries cost nearly $47 billion per year.
The study also revealed that these accidents remained high across many of the most dangerous industries, including:
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare
- Construction
- Professional services
- Retail
- Wholesale
- Transportation and warehousing
- Hospitality and leisure
In other words, whether you work in construction or retail, you could be at risk for the same type of accidents, including falls and overexertion.
Understanding these risks is crucial for workers and employers alike, because they can highlight the areas that may demand the most attention when it comes to safety precautions.
Unfortunately, though, accidents on the job can still happen. When they do, it is important for workers to seek immediate medical help and report the accident right away. It can also be crucial to consult an attorney to discuss potential compensation, considering how expensive these injuries and illnesses can be.