Injury at Work

Work injuries can be serious, and sometimes fatal. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, employers must provide a safe environment for workers and protect them from hazards that can cause injuries in the workplace.

Definition

An injury is any harm or damage of a physical or mental nature, which negatively impacts an individual. Injuries range from mild to severe, depending on the type of damage done.

Types

There are many types of occupational injuries. Electrical injuries cause shocks and electrocutions, manufacturing injuries may lead to crushed fingers or severed limbs and fall injuries can break bones or cause concussions.

Effects

Injuries can be detrimental to employees, causing them to experience pain, suffer from permanent damage and encounter medical expenses. Employers are also impacted by workplace injuries. Business and Legal Resources says that, according to the OSHA health fact sheet, 1.3 million employees sustain occupational injuries each year that result in missed days from work, decreasing a company's productivity.

Prevention, Solution

To minimize injuries at work, employers must adhere to safety standards set by OSHA. Some standards include requiring employees to wear personal protective equipment in certain work environments, installing railings to prevent falls, keeping electrical equipment in proper working order and safeguarding machinery.

References

• OSHA: You Have the Right to a Safe Workplace
• BLR: Employee Orientation Training