Most Common Workplace Injuries by Industry
Workers in any industry can suffer work-related injuries. However, some industries tend to involve more work-related injuries than others. Work-related injuries can vary significantly across industries due to various factors, including working environments, equipment used, and the nature of tasks. Some of the industries that carry a higher risk of work-related injuries include the construction, manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and transportation industries. Below is a look at some of the most common workplace injuries in each of these industries.
Construction
The construction industry comes with many potential hazards. For this reason, it is vital for construction workers to receive proper training on how to prevent work-related injuries. Most of the accidents that occur on construction sites are preventable if appropriate safety measures are exercised. The following are some of the most common workplace injuries in the construction industry;
- Slip and fall injuries: Construction workers can slip and fall from roofs, scaffolding, and other raised surfaces and suffer serious injuries. Some of the slip and fall injuries construction workers suffer include fractures, head injuries, dislocations, sprains and strains, bruises and contusions, soft tissue injuries, back injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
- Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs): Performing the same movements repeatedly over extended periods can result in repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tendinitis, and rotator cuff injuries.
- Electrical injuries: Construction workers can suffer electrical injuries in several ways, including contact with live wires, unsafe lockout-tagout procedures, faulty equipment, and coming into contact with overhead power lines.
- Struck-by injuries: These injuries can occur from various scenarios, including falling objects, swinging loads, moving equipment, flying debris, and collapsing structures.
Manufacturing
Workers in the manufacturing industry can suffer several types of injuries, including the following;
- Slip and fall injuries: Such as fractures, dislocations, head injuries, soft tissue injuries, and back injuries.
- Noise-induced injuries: Prolonged exposure to loud equipment and machinery can lead to hearing damage.
- Repetitive stress injuries: Assembly line workers are among the workers in the manufacturing industry at a high risk of developing RSIs.
- Electrical injuries: Working with electrical equipment puts workers in the manufacturing industry at a great risk of suffering electrical injuries.
Healthcare
Healthcare workers can suffer several injuries in their line of work. The following are some of the most common workplace injuries among healthcare workers;
- Injuries caused by chemical exposure, such as skin infections and respiratory illnesses
- Repetitive stress injuries such as tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome
- Slip and fall injuries such as head injuries, fractures, sprains and strains, and dislocations
- Needlestick injuries
Agriculture
In the agriculture industry, work-related injuries often involve exposure to chemicals, incidents related to being around animals, slip and fall accidents, machinery accidents, and repetitive motions. Agricultural workers are also at significant risk of suffering heat-related illnesses because they spend a lot of time in hot weather. Being in the sun for too long can cause conditions such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion among agricultural workers.
Transportation
People working in the transportation industry, such as bus and truck drivers, are at risk of being involved in traffic accidents. However, drivers can also suffer musculoskeletal injuries due to poor posture.
Legal Help Is Available
After a worker suffers a work-related injury, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Our skilled and dedicated Vermont workers’ compensation attorneys at Sluka Law PLC are here to help you fight for the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.
