Different careers come with different risks. Professional dog groomers can hurt themselves with tools or sustain injuries from frightened or aggressive animals. Factory workers are at risk because of heavy machinery and repetitive job functions.
Many of the most significant job hazards differ from one profession to the next. However, a significant percentage of lost-time incidents and workers’ compensation claims result from universal job hazards. According to research by the National Safety Council (NSC), approximately 75% of all workplace injuries and illnesses result from the same three hazards.
Workers who are aware of those risk factors can take appropriate steps to protect themselves or respond to an on-the-job incident. The following are the top causes of worker injuries and illnesses in the U.S.
Exposure to dangerous substances
The NSC highlighted exposure to dangerous substances as the leading cause of lost-time incidents. It is worth noting that the data for this research came from 2021 and 2022, a time with widespread illness. Pathogen exposure contributed to those figures. While exposure to dangerous substances may not be the top cause of lost-time incidents anymore, it is still a common risk factor across many different industries.
Slip-and-fall incidents
Another universal work safety concern relates to same-level falls. Professionals in almost any environment can slip or trip and fall. A fall can result in a soft tissue injury, a broken bone or even a traumatic brain injury. When workers slip and fall while at work, they may sustain injuries that affect their ability to perform job functions. They may need time away from work to heal and might require medical treatment as well.
Overexertion injuries
There are many ways for professionals to hurt themselves through overexertion. Some people might try to lift too much at once, resulting in an injury to their back, shoulder, hips or knees. Other times, workers may develop repetitive strain injuries from performing the same job functions over and over. Such injuries can affect the ability to continue performing job functions and may require a change in job responsibilities or a leave of absence from work to allow the affected body part to rest. In more serious cases, workers may require physical therapy or even surgery to fully recover.
Seeking workers’ compensation benefits can help injured and sickened employees recoup their lost income and cover medical expenses. Those hurt on the job may need help handling paperwork and optimizing the workers’ compensation benefits that they receive, and that’s okay.