Learn to avoid common workplace injuries

Published 1:29 pm Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Business owners and managers who know the most common types of workplace injuries for their industries are one step ahead in the battle to keep workers safe.

And that’s important because having an injury-free workplace leads to higher productivity, good employee morale, less staff turnover and lower workers’ compensation premiums.

Research by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) shows these seven most common types of workplace injuries:

1. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity (neck, back, arms): from overexertion, lifting or repetitive motion.

2. Struck by/against: impacting a part of the body against something or hit by a moving or flying object, or by noise (noise impacts the ear drum).

3. Fall from same level: slips, trips and falls on flat surfaces.

4. Falls from elevation: falls from ladders, roofs or other elevated surfaces.

5. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the lower extremities (knees, ankles and feet): from overexertion; kneeling, squatting or other repetitive motion; lifting; awkward posture; hand pinching or gripping; or vibration.

6. Motor vehicle accidents: traffic accidents.

7. Caught in/under/between: non-impact injuries caused by squeezing, pinching or crushing between a moving object and a stationary object, between two moving objects or between parts of an object.

Research shows that 95 percent of all workers’ compensation claims costs paid by L&I are for these seven types of “compensable” claims. Compensable claims are for serious injuries where employees were so badly hurt they had to take time off work to recover, had to change jobs or were permanently disabled. These employees are compensated for partial lost wages in addition to receiving treatment for their injuries.

These costly injuries have a direct impact on workers’ compensation premiums paid by employers.

Research also shows in which industries these injuries most commonly occur. Building construction is near the top for nearly all of the injury types listed above. Agriculture, logging and trucking are also high in several of the injury types. Restaurants — both quick service and full service — rank fairly high in falls from same level. Nursing and elder-care facilities rank high in work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, back and upper extremities, such as back strain, tendonitis, rotator cuff, etc.

So what should a business owner or manager do with this information? It’s critical to use limited resources where they will have the most impact. First, learn which injuries are most common for your industry and focus your injury-prevention efforts in these areas. Take steps to develop an effective safety program:

• Look at one-page injury fact sheets online at www.LNI.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/AtoZ/InjuryFS to get quick help for your industry or trade.

• Develop an accident prevention plan, as required by law, or update your plan to include this information.

• Develop safety-training opportunities so your employees are familiar with these common injuries.

• Request a free L&I consultation from a safety and health specialist to evaluate your workplace and help you identify and eliminate hazards. Call the nearest L&I office and ask for the consultation supervisor or visit www.LNI.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/Assistance.

Elaine Fischer is with the Washington state Department of Labor and Industries.