4 Common Work Injuries and How to Handle Them

Accidents in the workplace are all too common in certain industries. From carpal tunnel syndrome to potentially debilitating slips and falls, workplace accidents pose a serious hazard to employees. Consider the following four most common work-related injuries and tips on how to prevent them.

According to statistics, 4.8 million workers reportedly have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS. For many people dealing with CTS, this experience is brought on by jobs that require repetitive motion and the frequent use of fine motor skills. Those working as assembly line workers, cashiers, musicians, hairstylists, and in similar positions have an increased risk of developing CTS.

CTS can be treated both surgically and through therapy without surgery. Nonsurgical therapies include wrist splinting, corticosteroids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Surgery is often recommended for individuals with severe symptoms that aren’t responding to treatment.

Lower back pain is one of the most common work-related injuries. With back pain accounting for an average of 264 million missed workdays a year, the vast majority of Americans find themselves saddled with back pain. When it comes to back pain, it’s important to seek out Injury Treatment Services to make sure the injury does not worsen. In many cases, doctors may prescribe medication and therapies like yoga and stretch.

Just as it’s important to treat back pain, workers should be sure to focus on ways to prevent back pain in the first place. By paying attention to their posture, lifting items properly, and modifying repetitive tasks, workers can avoid certain situations that would otherwise result in back pain.

Neck pain is another common side effect of working an office job. It’s no wonder that workers that spend several hours of their days with their necks’ craned looking at their computers experience neck pain. Experts suggest that the key to avoiding neck pain at work is to focus on keeping one's head in a position to maintain the curve of the spine. By changing one’s workstation, lifting properly, and focusing on taking stretch breaks, workers can reduce the risk of experiencing neck pain.

Try as we might, it’s not always easy to remain upright in the workplace. With 26% of work-related nonfatal injuries attributed to trips and falls, this occupational hazard can result in serious setbacks for workers. To avoid slips and falls in the workplace, employees should make sure to wear proper footwear, always work with adequate lighting, and clean spills immediately.

Taking the time to be proactive can help prevent serious injuries in the workplace. Be sure to keep this information in mind as you work to treat any existing injuries and eliminate hazardous situations in the workplace.