Whether they’re big or small, workplace injuries can leave a large impact on your business. From pricey medical bills to workers’ compensation paperwork and more, the consequences of these common injuries are high. It’s important to be aware of these risks so that you can take the necessary precautions to prevent them from hurting your employees and business.
- Slips, trips and falls.
These account for the majority of workers’ compensation claims. Lower the risks of these accidents by enforcing good housekeeping, ensuring safe walking surfaces and promoting proper footwear. It’s also a good idea to remind employees to pay attention, take their time and report unsafe areas.
- Overexertion and repetitive stress injury.
Repetitive pulling, lifting, pushing and carrying can lead to sprains, muscle pulls and tears and can contribute to loss of productivity and health benefit costs. Remind your employees to lift with their legs, not their backs, and avoid pushing their bodies to extremes.
- Machinery-caused injury.
Machinery that is not properly maintained, guarded or operated is a huge safety hazard. The risk of crushed hands and arms, severed fingers, blindness and other injuries can be minimized by properly training employees in machine operation and providing them with the appropriate protective clothing.
- Falling object injury.
Falling objects in warehouses, factories or on construction sites are common, too. Helmets, hard hats and other protective gear can help minimize the impact of a falling object and maintain a hazard-free job site.
- Vehicle-related accidents.
Whether employees are working in traffic zones or driving the vehicle, vehicle-related accidents are extremely common and can be catastrophic. Protect your employees by requiring regular safe driving courses and securing road-side construction sites.
- Fires and explosions.
Open flames, faulty gas lines, poor pipefitting and improperly stored combustible materials can cause unexpected fires and explosions, which, consequently, can cause severe injuries and even casualties. Be sure your workplace has a clearly-communicated evacuation plan and effective alert system.
Unfortunately, regardless of the precautionary measures you put in to place, accidents still occur. Therefore, it’s essential that you have the commercial coverage necessary to cover these common workplace injuries. From commercial general liability to builder’s risk coverage, J.R. Prewitt is here to customize an insurance plan to fulfill your business’s needs.