Why Do Workplace Accidents Occur?

Accidents at work can happen at anytime and affect any worker. Although there are strict rules to prevent them, they still do occur. But, why do workplace accidents occur? What are some of the main causes of work accidents?

In this article, we will look at some of the main causes of accidents at work.

Slips on wet floors are among the top causes of workplace accidents. Slips can occur due to many reasons, but it mainly occurs when wet surfaces are not dealt with promptly or when warning signs are not placed after floors have been cleaned. Commercial kitchens, tiled areas, car parks and icy pavements are prone to this kind of hazard.

Trips on mats, loose cables, obstructions on walkways and other obstacles cause a high number of workplace accidents. Trips can occur in almost any kind of workplace, but they are quite common in commercial kitchens, offices, warehouses and reception areas.

Falls from heights are common in construction and building sites. But, they can occur in any work environment where ladders and steps are used. Falls from heights can result in serious bodily harm. It can also result in fatalities.

Use of hazardous substances in laboratories, warehouses and commercial kitchens can cause long term damage to the victim. They can cause burn injuries, blindness, skin conditions, breathing conditions and many other types of illnesses and diseases. Injuries caused by hazardous substances are very much preventable if adequate safety measures are taken. Some of the steps that employers can take to prevent injuries resulting from hazardous substances include using safety signs on containers, providing training to workers who handle the substances, providing adequate personal protective equipment to the workers and designating specific areas in which these substances must be kept.

Heavy lifting and manual handling are quite common in a number of industries. Unfortunately, most of the workers who perform these tasks whether on a frequent basis or occasionally do so without receiving adequate training. When manual handling and heavy lifting are performed by untrained workers, it can give rise to accidents and injuries. Crush injuries are quite common when manual handling accidents take place. However, when these tasks are performed incorrectly over a long period of time, they can result in back, arm, hand, neck and shoulder injuries.