The Top 10 Causes of Injuries in the Workplace

November 29, 2021

Workplace injuries often result in significant expenses for victims. In general, individuals who sustain on-the-job injuries should be able to recover compensation through the workers’ comp system in Florida. Here, we want to discuss the top ten causes of injuries in Florida workplaces. It is important to point out that individuals can sustain injuries in any type of workplace, including industries that are known to be hazardous as well as seemingly “safe” workspaces.

Workplace Safety: How These Injuries Occur

Data presented by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that there were around 2.8 million non-fatal injuries or illnesses reported across the country during the latest year of information we have on file. Workplace injuries occur in a wide variety of ways, most commonly due to:

Overexertion or bodily reaction

These types of injuries can occur in a few ways, and they are usually considered non-impact injuries. Overexertion can occur when a person uses excessive physical force directed at an outside source, including lifting, pushing, turning, holding, carrying, or throwing.
Additionally, overexertion or bodily reaction can also occur as a result of repetitive motions carried out daily, weekly, and monthly. One of the most common repetitive stress injuries includes carpal tunnel syndrome, though there are certainly others.
Slips, trips, and falls

Slip and fall and trips and falls can occur in any type of workplace, including risky environments such as construction sites as well as relatively low-risk environments such as office spaces. This can include falling on the same level as well as falling from one level to another (such as a fall from scaffolding).
Contact with objects or equipment

Anytime a worker comes into contact with other objects inside the work environment, this can lead to various types of injuries. These types of injuries can occur when a moving object strikes an employee when a worker strikes against a stationary object when a worker’s body is squeezed in between objects, and even a worker becomes injured as a result of vibration.
Transportation accidents

Vehicle accidents are not uncommon in various types of workplaces. This can include vehicles such as forklifts or dump trucks as well as regular vehicles on the roadway. Any type of vehicle accident that occurs when a person is carrying out on-the-job duties is considered a workplace injury.
Violence or other injuries by animals or persons

Workplaces are not free from violence. This includes fights that may break out as well as stabbings or gunshot wounds. Additionally, the National Safety Council lumps in injuries that occur as a result of animal attacks in this category.
Exposure to harmful substances or environments

Workers are regularly exposed to hazardous substances or environments. This can include toxins in the air, such as asbestos or carbon monoxide. This can also include harsh working environments, including working in excessively hot or cold environments or areas that are extremely loud that can damage hearing.
Defective equipment

Workers should always have equipment that functions properly. Employers and supervisors should regularly inspect and maintain all worker equipment to ensure that their employees are safe.
Inadequate training

Regardless of the type of industry, all employers need to ensure that their workers are trained to do their job. Inadequate training can lead to employees making mistakes that cause severe injuries to themselves and others.
Improper supervision

Regardless of how much training an individual may have, supervisors should always ensure that employees are carrying out their jobs appropriately. A lack of supervision could lead to lax safety standards over time.
Workplace fatigue

No worker should operate while fatigued. Workplace fatigue can have the same results as operating while impaired by alcohol or drugs or while distracted by phones or other devices.