Workplace safety is an essential part of a well-functioning workplace. Not only do employers have a responsibility to keep their employees safe with training as well as health and safety policies, but employees need to keep themselves safe too.
So, what are the most common types of workplace accidents? Let’s take a look. When you know what they are, you can better avoid them and understand how to prevent them.
Types of accidents
There are many different types of workplace accidents. These are some of the most common.
Slips and trips
According to the Health and Safety Executive, 32% of non-fatal injuries at work were slips, trips and falls in 2022/23. It’s unsurprising that they’re the most common type of accident in the workplace, and they can happen in any type of work setting.
Trips can happen in offices where open cabling runs across the floor between office equipment. Slips are likely where there are slippery surfaces, such as an oil spill in a factory but can also happen in an office, shop, bar or restaurant when floors are being cleaned for example.
Muscle injuries
You might not think of muscle injuries as a common injury that can happen in a workplace, but it’s much more common than you might think. And whilst typing may seem like the most mundane of tasks and the least likely to cause injury, it can result in repetitive strain injury (RSI).
RSI is an umbrella term to describe painful conditions that are caused by doing the same movement over and over again. Repetitive strain injuries often start gradually but can get much worse over time. Initial symptoms can include stiffness, weakness, swelling and pins and needles. The impact over time however can be severe.
RSI isn’t just limited to typing either, and can include hairdressers, decorators and plasterers. Basically any worker that does the same movement over and over again, day in day out.
Cuts and burns
The obvious contenders for cuts at work are people working in construction settings using heavy machinery with sharp moving parts. But they can just as easily happen in office settings, shops and restaurants where sharp objects are being used. Think knives in kitchens, scissors in shops and smashed glasses in bars.
Heat and electrical burns can be quite common for tradesmen, whilst those working with hazardous substances are at risk of chemical burns.
Harmful substances exposure
People working in labs or manufacturing environments are most at risk of exposure to harmful substances. This could be a chemical burn from a spilled substance or simply exposure to the fumes. The latter can result in long-term respiratory problems as well as short-term eye or skin reactions.
Falls from height
Falls from height can be a common accident in the workplace, especially on construction sites and can often be fatal. According to data from the Health and Safety Executive, 50 workers lost their lives falling from height in 2023/24. This was up from 41 fatalities in the previous 12 months.
Ladders, scaffolding and high platforms are all potentially dangerous places to work, and require appropriate safety measures to be implemented at all times.
Manual handling accidents
One of the most common sources of injuries at work is lifting heavy objects and handling things manually. If you don’t lift with the correct technique – from the knees rather than your back – you can easily injure yourself. This could be back or neck injuries or strained muscles. You can also easily break a bone if you – or someone else close to you – end up dropping a heavy object.
Warehouses and construction sites are obvious workplaces where these kinds of injuries can occur, but many people injure themselves lifting heavy things in offices, shops and restaurants.
What to do if you have an accident at work
If you have an accident at work, there are things you need to do straightaway. They include:
- Reporting the accident
This should be to your line manager, following the correct procedures as per the company’s health and safety policy.
- Logging the incident
Full details of the incident should be recorded in writing in the incident book. Companies with more than 10 people must have one by law, but many smaller companies have one too.
- Seeking medical attention
You may need to see a doctor or medical professional straightaway. If not, you should see your GP as quickly as possible. This will ensure that full details of your injuries are recorded in your medical record.
- Make a compensation claim
If the accident wasn’t your fault, you may be able to make a personal injury compensation claim against your employer.
How can InjuryLawyers4U help you?
If you’ve been injured following an accident at work, you may be able to bring a compensation claim to cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of earnings, and more. Contact us to find out more and to arrange for a free consultation with one of our expert lawyers.
