Avoid Workplace Injuries

28 Aug Avoid Workplace Injuries

Image that shows a person with a hurt hand filling out a work injury form.

Most people have to work in order to survive and thrive. However, depending on your line of work, you may be at risk for workplace injuries, even if you’re not doing very much. Simply typing or turning a certain way repetitively can leave you with an injury. Find out what the most common workplace injuries are, how they happen and how you can avoid those injuries from happening to you!

 

Workplace Injuries and Prevention

Many people think about their paycheck when it comes to work. However, not enough think about workplace injuries. Workplace injuries are so common that most (if not all) places that have employees have safety and wellness plans set in place. When working around chemicals, there is usually a wash station somewhere in case workers get chemicals on their skin. In places where lifting is frequent, many workplaces conduct pre-placement physicals to ensure you can lift heavy loads safely.

 

If you work in an office, ask your employer about protection equipment to prevent against workplace injuries. Every workplace is different and the dangers will be different as well. As you start a new job, make sure you ask about the different hazards you could experience and how to avoid injuries. If not, you may find yourself with an injury from lifting, typing, repetitive motions and even back pain from just sitting.

 

When workers are injured on the job, they can generally receive workers compensation. This is when a business can provide physical and chiropractic therapy for an injury so a worker can get back to their job quickly.

 

Man that was lifting a box and has hurt his back in the process.

What Are the Stats?

About 3 million people are injured at work each year. The same types of injuries happen at work all across the country. The most common include:

  • Slips, trips and falls. Studies show that these are the most common types of injuries, taking up 1/3rd of all insurance and worker’s compensation claims. Slips generally happen with wet surfaces, such as after floor cleaning or when water and snow is brought inside a building.
  • Injury from machinery. If you work in a factory or back office with equipment, knowing how to handle that equipment safely is vital for your protection. Most injuries of these kinds happen when cutting, shaping or forming factory materials. Any machine that has moving parts or electricity can also be a hazard. Always wear protective gear when around machinery.
  • Vehicle operation. Company cars or vehicles in the workplace can cause injuries when accidents happen. If you drive a company car and get in an accident, you may sustain whiplash or another injury.
  • Explosions. This is more rare, but explosions can happen when working around chemicals.
  • Stress and repetitive injuries. This includes typing or writing for hours, which can cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
  • Poor posture. Sitting with poor posture can cause back aches and pains, scoliosis, and other injuries over time. Having improper posture when lifting and performing actions can easily pinch a nerve, pull or tear a muscle, or cause painful inflammation.

Physical and Chiropractic Therapy

Back pain is one of the most common pains workers and non-workers alike experience, with over 31 million Americans having chronic back pain frequently. You can get back pain through sitting too much or even turning a certain way. Over time, with all the work you do and just your daily actions, your back can shift out of alignment, which leaves you open to injury.

 

To have a healthy back and spine, and to avoid injuries, you back and spine needs to follow a straight line. Chiropractic care is a natural, drugless and non-surgical health treatment that helps realign the body so it can heal itself quicker. A chiropractic adjustment is a series of gentle, but focused motions that pop your joints back into place. Getting the joints back in place relieves uneven pressure placed on them from poor posture, physical activity and injuries. That can help your joints last longer and can help you avoid injuries easier. This therapy coupled with physical therapy can help you get back to work quicker after workplace injuries.

 

Woman that is at work and holding her wrist that is in pain.

Avoiding Workplace Injuries

It’s always good to know what can happen and to avoid workplace injuries before getting one. When you start a new job, find out if you will be required to do any heavy lifting, repetitive motions, lots of typing or other weight-bearing or repetitive actions. Then, make sure you switch up your routine throughout the day so you are not overworking the same muscles.

 

Practice good posture when sitting or standing. Not only will sitting right help you to avoid backaches and back injuries, but you can also feel more energy and more alert by consciously sitting correctly. If you are on your feet a lot, make sure you take time to put your feet up (such as during a lunch break. Some tips to avoid workplace injuries include:

  • Walking for 2 minutes every hour if you sit or stand for long periods of time.
  • Switching to a convertible desk that can allow you to sit and to stand.
  • Using a back pillow to support your back when sitting.
  • Consciously lifting with your legs and arms instead of with your back when carrying heavy loads.
  • Do hand stretches and hand motions every hour that give your hands a rest from typing.
  • Listen to your body. If something starts to ache or feel “off”, it is your body warning you to be careful.
  • Get enough hydration and nutrition. When a worker lacks these two things, they won’t think as clearly and can get injured more easily if their body lacks nutrients.
  • Do strength-training at home to build up your back and other parts of your body. Back injuries happen the most, so strengthening your back can help you avoid those injuries.

For specific tips to avoid workplace injuries and information about healing, call Mile High Spine & Pain Center today at (720) 507-0080!

 



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