The most common work injuries in America
Statistically, there are a specific group of jobs in the United States that generate the most work injuries. They mainly exist in the fields of construction, manufacturing, gardening, cleaning, cooking, caring for the disabled and agriculture. These types of workplaces can unfortunately be a hot bed for abusive employers, who often take advantage of employees’ fear, immigration status, or lack of workers’ rights knowledge. These jobs, in addition, can generate great physical and mental wear on those who perform them for long periods of time.
- Repetitive Strain Work Injuries
A worker who must carry out the same action repeatedly day after day can suffer work injuries from this cause. For example, a construction worker may develop chronic knee pain from transporting equipment at work. On the other hand, office workers can suffer repetitive strain injury in carpal tunnel syndrome mode from using a keyboard all day.
- Overexertion
Some workers can suffer chronic pain, muscle or tendon tears, and other debilitating injuries from overexertion. It is common for workers to make excessive movements when trying to lift heavy objects.
- Bone fracture
OSHA has reported that falls of people and objects from heights are two of the leading causes of fatal accidents in the construction industry, so it is not surprising that broken bones are the most common workplace injuries in commercial accidents.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
A worker who falls and is struck by an object or is trapped in machinery can suffer a TBI. Any worker who suffers a work-related accident that could cause a brain injury of any kind should receive immediate medical attention.
- Burns
Electrocutions and burns are also on OSHA’s list of the most common fatal injuries in the construction industry. People who survive an electrocution can suffer third degree burns that leave permanent scars. Likewise, burns can be caused by open flames, hot surfaces and caustic chemicals generating irreversible damage.
They say the best way to control a hazard is to eliminate it, although there are certain jobs that are dangerous in nature. That is why it is important to know that an injury is defined as direct physical damage to one’s part of a body from a particular cause. A work injury is considered to be a specific damage or occupational disease related to the work performed by the worker. Additionally, it can also be a long-term physical or mental injury progressively developed by the worker; but it must always be related to the usual tasks performed by the employee.