Workplace accidents can happen for a slew of reasons, some of which you can’t predict or avoid. However, there are some common reasons that are important to keep in mind, as knowing where hazards lie can help to reduce injuries.
1. Not cleaning up the work site. It may feel like a waste of time to clean up as you work, since you’ll just need more tools and make more of a mess as you do the job, but a site that hasn’t been cleaned up could have a lot of tripping hazards and other issues that lead to serious injuries.
2. Lack of information. If your boss tells you to use a new type of machinery, but then doesn’t take the time to give you enough information or train you, you could be in danger. It’s tempting to rush to try to get done on time, but it’s better to slow down, really learn how to do the job safely, and then start.
3. Trying to take a shortcut. Saving time is crucial in many professions, as alluded to above, so there may be a temptation to take a shortcut or skip a step. Often, the safety-related steps are the ones that are skipped.
4. Being distracted. There could be a lot going on at the job site, and commotion and noise could draw your attention away. You could also be mentally distracted if too much pressure is being put on you to get the job done faster.
When you’re injured at work, you must know what to do to get compensation in Pennsylvania for your injuries, your lost wages, and the like.
Source: Safety Partners, “7 Most Common Causes of Workplace Accidents,” Brett Gordon, accessed May 20, 2016