June is National Safety Month, and this year is extra special because it is the 25th anniversary of the event. The annual awareness observance is a reminder of the importance of safe practices.
The National Safety Council reports that workplace injury deaths in the US are on the rise, with the highest number reported since 2007: 5,333 workplace injuries in 2019.
Prevention is the best way to avoid workplace safety issues. It’s important for everyone to be trained and follow proper safety protocols. In this article, we’ll discuss a few key areas that can lead to injuries and share resources to help you address them with your team.
Fatigue
Being tired on the job can be hazardous. It’s important to get enough sleep; nearly 13% of work injuries are related to sleep issues. Sleep deprivation can cause you to become easily distracted or even nod off during your shift. It also leads to approximately $136 billion in health-related lost productivity annually.
Shift workers are especially susceptible to fatigue due to chronic loss of sleep. This NSC toolkit helps address fatigue safety risks in the workplace.
Work-Related Crashes
Work injury incidents related to transportation are the top cause of work-related fatalities in Indiana. These incidents can happen in all industries, especially if the nature of the work requires a lot of driving. Promote safe driving behaviors. Ensure plenty of time between engagements to allow for weather or road issues and to make sure employees stick to the speed limit. Vehicles should be well maintained. Get the NSC Safe Driving kit for resources to share with employees.
Contact with Objects
Contact with objects is another leading cause of work-related deaths. Workers might be struck by or against an object, caught in equipment, or caught in collapsing material. Distractions and not paying attention to surroundings can lead to injuries, especially when heavy equipment is involved. Learn more about these workplace incidents and how to prevent them in this article.
If you or a loved one has been injured at work, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
