Most people think about workplace accidents happening at high-risk jobs, such as construction, law enforcement or manufacturing, but many office workers get injured each year, too. While these injuries may not be life threatening, they can be life changing. Even if your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, you should still be cautious and follow safety procedures to prevent injuries.
Common injuries that occur in the office
Although overexertion is the most common workplace injury, it occurs in positions where physical labor is necessary. If you work at a desk, you may not have to worry about straining a muscle or injuring a joint. However, if you do need lift or push a heavy object, you should ask for help and use precautions to be safe.
Slips, trips and falls are common workplace injuries in many different environments. Snow, ice, rain and sleet are often related to these types of falls, but they also occur when a floor is wet from being mopped. Special care should be taken when floor conditions are slippery.
Office workers are often in danger of being struck by objects that falls off shelves. You can also become a victim of falling over or into something. You might be pushed or simply trip and fall.
Other common office injuries are caused by repetitive motions. Although it is harder to prove, the problem comes from keyboarding, using a mouse or working on an assembly line. There are many resources that can be implemented to help prevent repetitive-motion injuries. You should ask your employer for ergonomically friendly keyboards and tools to prevent job injuries.
Stay safe on the job
Office workers are also subject to poor air quality, which can affect breathing. No matter how hard you try, sometimes injuries cannot be prevented. Make sure you are familiar with the procedures for reporting an incident to the right person and getting treatment.
You should take advantage of workers’ compensation benefits if applicable to your situation. This does not mean that you blame the employer for the accident; it just means that it is their responsibility to maintain safety.
If you need help getting workers’ comp benefits through your employer, you may need an attorney to protect your rights. By law, employees are entitled to workers’ compensation, and you should not be blamed or retaliated against for filing a claim. Do not be afraid to stand up for yourself and get the help you need.
