Why Do Workplace Accidents Occur?

Workplace accidents happen, and they can occur in any type of work environment. But what are the most common causes of workplace accidents?

Every workplace is different, and pinpointing common causes of incidents can be challenging. For instance, the common causes of workplace accidents at an oil refinery will look different from the common causes of accidents at an office building in downtown Houston. However, certain types of workplace incidents occur more often in Texas and throughout the U.S. In many cases, a workplace injury attorney in Houston may be able to help if you are hurt in a preventable accident.

Overexertion and Bodily Reactions

One of the leading causes of workplace injuries or illnesses is overexertion or bodily reactions. In fact, this is usually the leading cause of workplace injuries or illnesses year after year but has been surpassed by harmful substances or environments only because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overexertion and bodily reactions can affect an employee in a number of ways. Some of the most common activities associated with these types of injuries or illnesses include:

• Lifting
• Pushing
• Carrying
• Pulling
• Throwing

In addition to these types of activities, individuals can also sustain injuries as a result of repetitive motions, including the use of various tools or typing, texting, or using a computer mouse.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

During a recent reporting year, 850 workers lost their lives as a result of falls in the workplace. Hundreds of thousands of others sustained injuries that were covered days away from work. Slips, trips, and falls can occur in a wide variety of ways in the workplace, and they are absolutely preventable. Some of the most common types of falls that bring harm to workers include:

• Falls on Same Level. Trips and slips without a change in elevation are common and can be caused by wet floors, clutter, or uneven surfaces. Maintaining clean and clear walkways and implementing slip-resistant flooring can mitigate these risks.
• Falls to Lower Level. Falls from an elevation, such as from ladders, roofs, or scaffolding, pose significant risks. Providing fall protection equipment and training can help protect workers from these potentially fatal accidents.

Contact With Objects or Equipment

Individuals can come into contact with objects and equipment in the workplace in a variety of ways. Often, this includes a worker getting struck by moving parts or machinery in the workplace. These types of injuries can occur if a person’s body gets pinched, compressed, or crushed between shifting objects or between a moving object and a stationary object. Workers can also get caught or crushed between or beneath collapsing structures or material.

Exposure to Harmful Substances or Environments

Information available from the National Safety Council indicates that because cases related to COVID-19 still remain prevalent and have been commonplace for the last few years, exposure to harmful substances or environments has been the leading cause of workplace injury or illness.

Vehicle Accidents

Vehicle accidents can affect individuals in a variety of occupation types. These types of injuries are more likely to occur to those whose primary occupation involves operating a vehicle, but traffic collisions can also affect those whose day-to-day operations do not typically involve driving. For example, if an individual is asked by their supervisor to go pick up lunch for their coworkers and they get into an accident on the way, they may be able to recover workers’ compensation benefits because the incident occurred while carrying out job-related or supervisor-directed duties.

What Can You Do After a Work Injury Occurs?

We know that your first priority after sustaining a workplace injury will be your health and well-being. We also encourage you to consider reaching out to an attorney as promptly as possible if you think there will be any issues receiving compensation for your losses. Not every employer in Texas is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, and even those that do can put up challenges when workers sustain injuries or workplace illnesses. A workplace injury lawyer can help you through this process, investigate the claim, and work towards receiving the compensation you are entitled to.