Preventing the Top 5 Workplace Injuries

Mar 14, 2013 by Langdon Dement

http://ehstoday.com/

Thousands of workers are injured on the job every year. Some of these injuries are serious and life-threatening, while others are not as grave and require little attention. From developing carpal tunnel because of too much time typing to injuring a hand while working on the line of a plant floor, injuries occur in a plethora of working environments and can affect any worker. Reducing the occurrence of injuries is the main objective of safety and health professionals all over the country.

The most recent data from the Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index listed the top five leading causes of injuries: overexertion: injuries from excessive lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, carrying or throwing; fall on same level; injuries from bending, climbing, reaching, standing, sitting, slipping or tripping without falling; fall to lower level; struck by object: workers struck by objects such as a tool falling from above.

What can we do to reduce these injury causes?

For overexertion, get help if available or use devices to assist with the task if possible. The problem is that’s not always possible. For those that do not have the luxury of help or assistance proper technique and training is recommended.

Proper housekeeping is one way to reduce injuries from falls. Keeping your work area clean and clutter-free is very important in preventing these kinds of injuries. Also, using anti-slip coatings on floors or wearing anti-slip footwear might help reduce falls.


Some important ways to reduce bodily reaction injuries include eliminating environmental factors that can cause these injuries. Be aware of hazards that can cause injuries, such as improper placement of tools or clutter around your workstation. Also, maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper physical conditioning and prevent situations that carry prolonged awkward posture.

In preventing falls to lower levels, always make sure ladders are in proper working order and scaffolding has been built and repaired correctly. It’s important to make sure that these tools are inspected and maintained regularly.

A few of the simpler ways to reduce injuries caused by “struck-by objects” include: wear hardhats to avoid falling objects; stack materials properly to prevent sliding, falling or collapse; and always wear proper PPE (personal protective equipment). This includes safety glasses, goggles and face shields to name a few. Don’t work under cranes, hoists or heavy machinery while it’s being operated. To avoid struck-by incidents with vehicles, workers should wear seat belts, check vehicles thoroughly and wear highly visible clothing. 


These are just a few examples of what can be done to reduce these top five injuries in your workplace. With proper training and awareness, these numbers will hopefully decline and fewer people will be injured on the job.


Сопоставьте части предложений. Переведите предложения письменно.

1. Proper housekeeping is 2. Reducing the occurrence of injuries is 3. Injuries occur in a plenty 4. It’s important to make sure that 5. With proper training,

a) of working environments and can affect any worker. b) one way to reduce injuries from falls. c) the main objective of safety professionals all over the country. d) the number of injuries will hopefully decline. e) the tools are inspected and maintained regularly.

8. Прочитайте текст и ответьте письменно на вопросы:

1. What is the main function of safety and health professionals?

2. What injury can a secretary or a worker on the line of a plant develop?

3. How can workers prevent overexertion?

4. How to avoid all types of falls?

5. What protective equipment can you recommend in order to reduce the number of injuries?