We all understand that workplace accidents are tragic and can happen in any number of ways. But why? Understanding the underlying issues that can cause such injuries and accidents can help mitigate the threat. Avoiding accidents in the workplace is the responsibility of both the employers and employees; practicing reasonable care is an absolute necessity.

If you’ve been involved in such an accident, our NC worker’s compensation lawyers can help you in all capacities. From the initial consultation to pursuing legal action against the liable party or settling for a reasonable sum with the insurance adjuster, we can handle it all.

But understanding the issues is important for avoiding such accidents in the first place, and in this article, we have listed some of the most common causes of workplace accidents:

Constant Lifting & Exertion

This is one of the most common causes of workplace accidents and injuries. Employers often force too much burden on their employees, and this can lead to injuries leading from repetitive motion. Taking regular breaks between work sessions and avoiding extremely heavy burdens can help. Employers should instruct their employees about effective lifting techniques, or tell them to share heavy burdens with other workers to avoid injury.

Fatigue 

Fatigued bodies and minds are sure to lead to injury and illness. Without adequate breaks between work sessions, it is very much possible to fall victim to any number of accidents. A fatigued mind is unable to make informed decisions and can fall prey to inattentiveness. A similar issue is possible for a fatigued body that can break under the burden of continuous labor.

Dehydration

Water may not seem like much of a priority in terms of workplace safety but a lot of workplace illnesses stem from dehydration. This is especially true for workers engaged in laborious jobs, under the sun and intense heat. Heat strokes and heart issues are consequences of being poorly hydrated under such conditions. While there is no exact amount of water your body needs, the signs of dehydration are pretty obvious (dryness of the mouth is one), so one can watch out for these.

Most people would recommend drinking around eight glasses daily (again, this is not a strict rule, just stay hydrated).

Problems With Lighting

If the worker’s line of sight is not clear, the risk of accidents can be very high. Warehouses are a perfect example of this – if they are not properly lit, workers can run into objects, trip over, or slip and fall. In short, poor lighting equals poor safety, and though this is an overlooked aspect of workplace safety, providing proper lighting can help slash workplace accidents a lot.

Safety Hazards

Personal protective equipment can help safeguard workers against toxic fumes coming from chemicals and volatile mixtures such as high-VOC wall paints. There is a whole safety protocol with regards to the handling of safety hazards and harmful chemicals, and employers must ensure that such protocols are followed through in earnest.

Mismanagement/Poor Workplace Discipline

Workplace discipline and control is another aspect that employers need to focus on to create a safe and welcoming environment for their employees. Office politics and sensitivities can easily boil down to fist fights or worse – fights can lead to serious losses, but it is all avoidable through better discipline.

Slipperiness

Oil spills and slippery floors can lead to trips and falls that can cause devastating harm. It is wrong to assume that only falls from heights can inflict severe injuries, even a seemingly minor slip and fall can restrict people to their beds for days.

Mental Stress

Lastly, the mental pressure – all illnesses stemming from a stressful workplace are avoidable; employers must create more wholesome, welcoming, and relaxed work settings.

This will also boost productivity.

Bottom Line

Now that you understand that all accidents are potentially avoidable through better management and by being reasonably careful about one’s surroundings, now comes the part where we explore your options in case there is an accident. Avoidable or not, accidents do happen, frequently enough to be of major concern to anyone working in a laborious field.

If you are ever injured in such an accident, you’ll have to file your claim as soon as possible. But before that, you should seek medical help immediately to avoid blame for worsening the problem and then contact us. The NC Worker’s Compensation Lawyers are ready to serve you in all ways possible, and we will ensure that you get the compensation that is rightfully yours.

Feel free to reach out for legal advice or our services!