Injuries in the workplace are, unfortunately, all too common. While the NCS states that the highest number of preventable fatal work injuries between 2019 and 2020 occurred in the construction industry, followed by transportation and warehousing, issues can occur in every workplace. Many injuries aren’t fatal but can cause lasting problems.
This is why you should not only be on the lookout for possible workplace injuries but also be aware of how you can help if you see one occur.
Here at The Spine and Pain Center of California, we offer several treatments for workplace injury conditions, specifically chronic pain. Dr. Navin Mahallavaram, our founder, and our other providers also believe having valuable knowledge on your side is the first step toward helping someone who might experience issues down the road.
Understanding workplace injuries and who’s responsible
One of the first things to understand is that avoiding workplace injuries is a joint effort. Your employer is responsible for creating a safe environment for you to work in, and you and the other employees are responsible for following the rules. When everyone works together in this fashion, many issues can be avoided.
If you have been injured on the job or know someone who has, it’s crucial to report it immediately to ensure you can receive the proper help, such as workers’ compensation. You may also need to reach out to a lawyer who can help you make sure you do whatever’s necessary to gain the appropriate financial compensation. Still, one of the best things you can do is avoid injury by knowing what to look out for.
The most common workplace injuries and how to avoid them
According to The Safety Mag, slips, trips, and falls are the most common workplace injuries. It’s crucial to always wear slip-resistant shoes, to be extremely careful when working on a ladder, and avoid walking through cluttered areas.
The second most common is repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel or epicondylitis tendonitis (also known as tennis elbow). Using proper techniques when doing repetitive movements on the job is key to avoiding these problems.
The third and fourth most common injuries are related to machinery and vehicles, respectively. Jobs where you interact with machines and vehicles require proper know-how when operating or even when being around them.
As you can see, being aware, safe, and knowledgeable are some of the best things you can do to protect yourself from injury on the job. But what happens when injury does occur?
How to help someone who’s been injured on the job
First and foremost, help the person get to a safe place. If they are still in danger, they must be removed from it as soon as possible. Next, if the injury is serious enough to warrant it, call 911.
Finally, you might need to report the incident or help support your coworker as a witness. Many times, your coworker will still need to report the problem themselves, but this might be an initial task for you to take on if they cannot do so themselves.
More than anything, you will need to make sure your coworker is safe and receives the necessary treatment for their wounds. Helping someone when they’re injured is one of the best things you can do to ensure they heal properly in the long term.
Let us help with your workplace injury
If you are still dealing with the aftermath of a workplace injury, you might be ready for the kinds of injection therapy treatments we provide. Book an appointment online to visit our Fremont or Pleasanton, CA office.