Did you know that every seven seconds a worker in the United States is injured on the job? This equals over 500 injuries every hour and 12,600 in just one day. Multiply that out over a week or year, and you can quickly see the impact that unsafe workplaces and practices have on the working society of America. And, if this isn’t concerning enough, it’s estimated that a large number of workers’ compensation claims are not respected — for example, in Ohio, nearly half of all workers who file workers’ compensation for disease claims receive a denial. Even though these claims often convert to approved status, the worker’s physical and mental wellness can be impacted by delayed medical treatment and limited compensation when insurance companies and state agencies get involved in the healthcare business.

Beyond the Physical Impact

It’s critical to point out that workplace injuries don’t only wreak havoc on the bodies of those who are hurt — there can be grave consequences for injured workers to their mental health and overall ability to continue to earn money. While healthcare costs are usually covered once the worker files a workers’ compensation claim, because the workers’ comp system is administered on a state level, medical coverage can vary greatly. One example is the state of Texas, where employers aren’t required to carry workers’ compensation coverage at all.

Once an injury occurs and the claim is filed, it’s evaluated by someone in the workers’ compensation system. This evaluation determines causality and what injuries and medical treatment will be covered. The review also establishes the injured worker’s options for compensation, which can also vary from one state to the next.

Prevention is Key

Once a workplace injury occurs, there isn’t much anyone can do except treat the injured worker and analyze the accident. However, prevention can go along way to protecting all workers’ rights to be in a safe workplace during their shift. Here are a few common workplace injuries and strategies for prevention:

Back Injuries

Every worker, even those who sit at a desk, is at risk of back injury at work. Understanding the top causes of back pain can help you prevent new injuries or worsening ones you already have. One factor common to back injuries is repetitive motion injuries —  if your work has you repeating movements like twisting or bending, you’re at a higher-than-average risk of getting hurt. Another common factor in back injuries is inactivity. So, if you sit at a desk job all day and have poor posture or inadequate back support in your chair, you might be at risk.

The good news is that you can do a few simple changes to minimize your risk of future injury. First, think about your positioning. Choose a chair that fits you and the natural curve of your spine. Work on your posture and keep your feet flat on the floor. If you lift, consider wearing a support belt and always bend at the knees to protect your back from too much strain. If you must repeat motions while you work, like bending or twisting, attempt to modify how you accomplish these tasks. Use lifting devices when possible rather than manual lifting and check out your workspace for ergonomic changes you can make such as placement of your computer, phone, and chair. If your office does not have ergonomic furniture, consider suggestingit to your manager as a productivity-boosting addition to your workplace.

Insurance companies that handle workers compensation claims exist to make money for themselves, not to pay out benefits to claimants. Some states, like Virginia, get away with not paying out claims based on a law that caps wage benefits at 2 years, “even if the worker hasn’t recovered yet.” This means that if you suffer a back injury or other injury at work, you must report the incident promptly and seek medical treatment right away. Be as detailed as possible when you report the injury to your employer and physician to keep the guesswork out of where and how you got hurt.

Violence

When you think of your workplace, you might not consider the phrase “armed and dangerous.” However, for thousands of workers, this is precisely what their job becomes. Workplace violence ranges from verbal abuse to physical assault to homicide. The National Safety Council reports that in 2017 alone, there were more than 18,000 injuries and 458 fatalities due to workplace violence and the employer’s inability to keep employees safe.

One industry that experiences a high number of workplace violence events is health care. Nursing is a hazardous profession because of working closely with patients and family members during times of high stress. Combine the stress with mental disabilities and inadequate training on new equipment, and you might find yourself in the shoes of Tina Suckow, a nurse who spent four years working for a state-run mental health facility in Iowa before being beaten to the point of unconsciousness by a manic patient. After receiving her federally mandated time off, Suckow requested to remain off work without pay, which was denied. Shortly after this decision, she was terminated under a 2017 law in Iowa that limits unions from being involved in any negotiations except salary, and also restricts the worker’s ability to file a grievance.

Incidences like this can leave workers injured, distant, and disgruntled. Healthcare workers aren’t only at risk of being injured by a patient or their family, but worker-on-worker confrontations are possible too. Recently, acts of violence in healthcare facilities have been on the rise, creating even more opportunity for workplace accidents. To protect yourself from violence on the job, learn how to recognize and diffuse dangerous situations. Be sure to always alert supervisors to any safety or security threats you identify and don’t travel alone to unknown locations if possible.

Sprains and Strains

It’s common to hear these terms used interchangeably. However, sprains and strains are two distinct types of injuries. A strain happens when a muscle or tendon is torn or stretched and sprains damage ligaments. In the workplace, these injuries can happen during routine activities, or if your employer doesn’t promptly care for situations like a snow-covered parking lot or spills in the cafeteria or bathrooms. To protect yourself from sprains and strains at work, keep aisles and work areas free of clutter to prevent falls or other injuries. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear and other safety gear as needed.

If you identify an unsafe work practice or situation, be sure to notify your manager right away and request that it be rectified. It’s also critical to know that your employer is required to provide you with any personal protective equipment you need to perform your job safely. They must also train you on the proper use of any devices they offer.

Staying Safe at Work

When you leave for work each day, you probably don’t consider the possibility of not coming home because of a workplace accident. However, it’s a real threat for many workers, often at the negligence of their employer. With these prevention methods, you can stay safe and out of the healthcare system and workers’ compensation programs altogether.

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