Did you know that in 2021, 2.6 million workplace injury and illness cases were reported? However, people who sustain these injuries do not follow them up to get compensation. A workplace can have a lot of injury-prone zones.
When these areas are sighted, employees should report to the management. If the party in charge does not act on the warning, then they are liable for any injury that might result from the zone. That notwithstanding, a workplace should guarantee the safety of workers at all times.
When the holiday seasons approach, there tends to be an increase in injuries reported within the workplace. Here are some of the common workplace injuries during this period.
Back Injuries and Sprains
Most workers take off days to be with their families during the holiday season. However, if the business cannot close, it will retain some employees. Consequently, some companies may hire temporary employees.
Due to the shortage of employees, active employees tend to take up much of the work usually achieved by the full employee force. This may result in an employee taking up goods of more weight than they can handle.
If this happens, the employee risks a back injury or leg sprain. Back injuries and sprains result from lifting excessive weight. Due to the urge to accomplish tasks, some end up being injured.
Broken Bones and Joint Dislocations
There are many predisposing factors to this type of injury on a construction site. Due to the many tools that work on a construction site, there is a high chance that they may hurt someone while working.
However, broken bones and joint dislocations result from slips or falls. You may fall and meet an unsecured object and end up hurting yourself.
Also, retail workers tend to paint up the front end of the shop to promote the holiday season. This makes every employee excited to take part in the facelift. Of the tools used, ladders will be standard among many retail businesses. A slip or fall of the ladder may result in the employee painting the business' face to get a severe injury.
Also, since it is the holiday season, some employees may use the broken equipment without knowledge. This may also be a cause of workplace injury.
Lacerations and Contusions
A laceration is a deep cut or tear in the skin, while a contusion is a bruise on the skin. Pinch points and crushing points on machinery may cause workplace injuries. Falling on such equipment may lead to tearing on your skin.
Due to the holiday excitement, employees may need to be more careful. In that case, they may slip and fall and get a light injury. These types of injuries are a softer impact from the fall. In case of a severe fall, you may suffer a broken bone or a dislocated joint.
While working, you should avoid any unprotected edges of tools and materials as they may lead to a laceration.
Burns
Due to the increased hiring of temporary workers to replace workers who have gone on holiday, a company may not take a keen interest in the skill level. This may result in a catastrophic injury.
While working in a chemical warehouse, some workers may carelessly mix thermal chemicals. The reaction may end up burning the employee. Employees could also sustain burns from hot machines as they work.
Due to unfamiliarity with some machines, an employee may wander around and get burned by steam-emitting engines. Fatigue may also lead to a burn.
Chemical Exposure
There are four ways that a chemical enters your body. This may result from inhalation, injection, absorption, and ingestion. If employees are not wearing protective gear, they may undergo chemical exposure.
Untrained employees may suffer more if they are not well guided on the safety measures that are in place. Also, careless behavior from employees within the closing phase may lead to chemical exposure. This may result from the holiday season's ecstatic mood.
Understand Workplace Injuries
The holiday season brings up a lot of emotions in employees. While some may be happy to go home to their families, some may stay back to ensure the business runs smoothly. This season has a lot of common workplace injuries.
Addressing the cause of the injury is the best way to ensure that the damage does not recur. However, if you suffer a workplace injury out of someone else's fault, you should seek a workplace injury lawyer and file a compensation claim.
Do You Need a Workers Compensation Attorney?
If you believe your workplace injury or disease was caused by negligence or willful, reckless actions, you should speak with an attorney. In addition, while the process may seem straight-forward, the process does not necessarily guarantee that you will be compensated fairly. At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we are dedicated to assisting clients throughout New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Vermont with their workers’ compensation cases. We have years of experience and the extensive resources you need to secure a fair case result.