These injuries occur when a person applies too much force while handling or carrying objects. These injuries may be caused by lifting or carrying heavy loads, repetitive motions, discomfiting postures, and inadequate rest breaks.
Such injuries occur when workers are struck by moving vehicles or tools; or when they collide with immovable heavy equipment, as well as working in areas where objects may fall from a higher level (for example, scaffolding).
It is not necessary that a person only gets injured when falling from an elevated surface, such as a ladder or scaffold. Workplace injuries also occur by slipping or falling on the same level due to a wet floor, uneven walking path, or an area with insufficient lighting.
Accidents may occur outside of the traditional roadway system, such as at a construction site, an industrial facility, or private property. These incidents are not only caused by vehicles, but also other heavy equipment, driver or operator error, malfunctioning of machinery, hazardous conditions, unsuitable weather conditions, and noncompliance with safety regulations or law enforcement.
Roadway accidents occur on public roads, such as highways, streets, and intersections; and can involve cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Distracted, impaired, or reckless driving, unsatisfactory road conditions, traffic congestion, and mechanical failure are common causes of such incidents. Workers involved in transportation jobs are most often exposed to such hazards. However, any person, working in any job in any industry is at risk because roads are used to travel to the workplace and back.
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Crush InjuriesWhen a body part is caught between two heavy objects, such as a person's hand being caught in a machine.
AmputationsWhen a body part is chopped off by machinery or equipment.
Fractures - When a bone is broken because of the force of equipment or objects within which a link is stuck.
LacerationsWhen a person's skin is cut by equipment, tools, or objects.
One tried and tested method to reduce workplace injuries and accidents is to provide workers with mandated online training and on-the-job training.
OSHA specifies training for employees to understand hazards when exposed to various job roles and tasks. These range from 2-hour safety training courses to 40-hour courses.
