IBA II Safety in the Workplace 1. Types of Injuries 2. Top 10 Causes of workplace injuries 3. Minor vs. Major Injuries 4. OSHA Video.

IBA IISafety in the Workplace

1. Types of Injuries2. Top 10 Causes of workplace injuries3. Minor vs. Major Injuries4. OSHA Video

5 Types of Injuries in the Workplace• In 2008 three out of every 100 full-time workers fell victim to

nonfatal workplace injury and illness, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. This translates into 3.7 million workers compensation cases. This number is actually down from 4.2 workers just the year before, or four million cases. The most common workplace injuries tracked by governmental agencies are back and hernia, trauma, machine related, repetitive motion and exposure.

Back and Hernia Injuries

•Workers in any industry are vulnerable to back and hernia injuries when lifting, pushing or dragging too much weight. These are the types of injuries that require only momentary exposure to a cause for the injury to occur. Once injured, these injuries often require surgery, long recovery periods away from work and, at times, reassignment to another job where the injured area is not exposed to physical stress.

Trauma Injuries

•Trauma injuries including hitting or being hit by an object and falls. Experienced largely within the construction, mining and manufacturing industries, trauma injuries often require extensive medical care and time away from work.

Machine Related Injuries

•Usually experienced within the construction and manufacturing industries, machine injuries are often localized on the body, such as hands, arms, feet and legs, as the extremities are the most exposed and thus most vulnerable to injury by manufacturing machines.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

•Workers in computer-related jobs or who run manufacturing machinery who perform the same physical motion over and over often suffer repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel. Wear and tear on the same joint over time renders joint stress, which requires long periods of time to heal and usually requires reassignment, at least temporarily, to a job that does not require use of the recovering joint.

Exposure to Injurious Substances• Industrial manufacturing and mining workers are most at risk for repetitive and prolonged exposure to chemicals and chemical fumes that prove toxic to the body over time. The at-risk industries have changed over the years from construction-related exposure to asbestos and other carcinogenic building materials.

5 Types of Injuries in the Workplace Summary

1.Back and Hernia Injuries2.Trauma Injuries3.Machine Related Injuries4.Repetitive Motion Injuries5.Exposure to Injurious

Substances

Top 10 Causes of Workplace Injuries•No matter how attentive and conscientious you are

about observing health and safety rules on the job, the potential for workplace injuries is ever-present. Not only can these injuries put employees at risk of hospitalization -- or even death -- it also can impact insurance rates, reduce productivity, increase workers' compensation claims and affect company morale. Team vigilance at all levels is critical in maintaining a safe environment and preventing accidents from happening.

Fatigue

• If someone is pushed -- or pushes herself -- beyond reasonable limits to stay on top of workload, the results often are physical and mental exhaustion. This translates to impaired judgment, slower reflexes in operating machinery or motor vehicles, a delayed response to emergency situations and inattention to details and instructions.

Stress

• Job security, finances, health issues and anxiety about personal relationships all factor into the stress equation. When an employee's mind is too distracted by real or perceived threats, he is not only more likely to make mistakes that could cause injury but also invites an increased risk of a heart attack, stroke or hypertension.

Slips

•Office kitchens and break rooms are common places for slips to occur because of the number of liquids that get splashed there and are subsequently not cleaned up. Linoleum, hardwood and tile flooring surfaces are particularly hazardous after they have been mopped or waxed. Another consideration is the type of footwear worn by employees.

Trips

• Items left sitting out in a high-traffic corridor, extension cords that are not properly taped down and carpeting that has come loose all are contributors to tripping employees and sometimes causing more than just stubbed toes. Poorly lit hallways and stairs are danger spots, too, because they obscure the ability to see what is underfoot.

Toppling Objects

• If tall pieces of furniture such as bookcases and filing components are not securely anchored, an earthquake could cause them to pitch forward and dislodge their contents, putting nearby workers in peril. Workplace injuries also can be caused by heavy objects such as supplies and file boxes that are stacked on high shelves and are shifted precariously to the edge each time they are put back or the structure gets bumped.

Hazardous Materials

•Protective clothing, eye wear and gloves are mandatory for employees whose jobs require them to be around hazardous materials, chemicals and toxic waste. Slip-ups in these rules can result in burns, explosions, respiratory diseases, blindness and skin infections.

Repetitive Motion

•Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common occurrence for workers engaged in repetitive motion activities that put pressure on the median nerve, causing numbness and pain in the fingers, wrists and hands. Typists, key data operators and beauty salon employees are at particular risk for developing this excruciating condition.

Lifting

•Many back injuries and pulled muscles that occur in the workplace are the result of picking up something that is too heavy, not bending the legs, not asking a partner to assist or trying to lift or hold a heavy object above the shoulders.

Workplace Violence

•Despite increased security measures and limiting office access to individuals who have a legitimate reason to be on the premises, innocent victims are often involved when estranged spouses, disgruntled former employees or even total strangers with a vendetta show up with an intent to commit harm. Managers and workers must likewise stay sensitive to suspicious mail or packages, phone threats and evidence of any security violations.

Collisions

•Opening a door too quickly or turning a corner too fast are the frequent setups for unintended collisions with co-workers. While it may not be with enough force to knock one or the other unconscious, the potential for injury escalates if there are hot liquids, sharp implements or heavy objects involved. Leaving file drawers pulled all the way out is as dangerous at shin level as chin level, especially if a co-worker won't see it until the point of impact.

Top 10 Causes of Work Place Injuries Summary1. Fatigue2. Stress3. Slips4. Trips5. Toppling

Objects

6. Hazardous Materials7. Repetitive Motion8. Lifting9. Workplace Violence10.Collisions

What Is the Difference Between Major & Minor Injuries in the Workplace?•Workplace injuries range from minimal physical injuries such

as paper cuts and scratches to more serious injuries ranging from slip-and falls, bruising, sprains and broken bones to calamitous injuries such as amputations, severe trauma or shootings and stabbings caused by workplace violence. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, requires employers with 10 or more employees to report all workplace injuries regardless of severity.

Reporting Requirements Vary• Requirements for reporting workplace injuries can vary

according to state and local law and organizational policies and procedures. Decisions to report workplace injuries also involve subjective factors such as the injured person's assessment of her injury. The U.S. Department of Labor notes that federal injury-reporting requirements generally supersede state requirements, but that states can request variances for reporting workplace injuries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor, categorizes illnesses and injuries according to the body part affected. The BLS does categorize workplace injuries as minor or major in its statistical reporting.

Report Workplace Injuries According to Employer Policy• Deciding whether an injury is minor or major and needs to be

reported to your employer is a subjective process. The United Food and Commercial Workers International (UFCW) union has a policy that all workplace injuries or illnesses causing any of the following conditions must be reported to OSHA: death, missed days of work, restricted work or transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or any work-related illness, condition or injury diagnosed by a licensed health-care provider. This suggests that injuries not requiring reporting on OSHA form 300 may be considered "minor," while injuries requiring reporting to OSHA are "major." Employers may require employees to report all injuries to ensure compliance with OSHA and other reporting requirements.

"Minor" Injuries Can Become Worse

• You slipped on wet flooring in your office, but are sure you're OK. A few days later, you're experiencing serious back pain and can barely walk. This is an example of why reporting all workplace injuries is important; what may seem minor at the time can worsen, become chronic or lead to complications such as infection, disease or disability. Allow your employer to determine minor from major injuries and report any injury or illness occurring in your workplace. Failing to promptly report workplace injuries to your employer can void or reduce insurance or legal claims related to your injury.

Workplace Injury Benefits and Claims

• Injuries requiring hospital care and ongoing treatment and therapy can quickly bankrupt employees without health coverage; preserving your right to worker's compensation is crucial in such cases. Protecting your health and quality of life is the first consideration for reporting and treating workplace injuries. When reporting workplace injuries, report what happened as accurately as possible and supply names of witnesses. Cooperate with your employer's investigation of your injury. Follow instructions and note deadlines for filing worker's compensation and health insurance claims. Keep copies of all claim forms, correspondence and medical bills related to your workplace injury.

OHSA Video on SETv

Workplace Accidents Video on YouTube