Common Causes Of Injuries At Work

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 clearly states that employers are responsible for making the workplace as safe as reasonably possible for workers as well as visitors. This may mean different things in different workplaces, depending on the type of work being carried out and the risks inherent to the industry and to that workplace in particular. For example, building sites and oil rigs may require precautionary measures that are completely different from those required in professional kitchens or in an office.

However, workplace accidents still happen and, unfortunately, they can result in workers being injured. In this blog post, you’ll read about some of the most common causes of injuries at work such as slips, trips and falls, repetitive strain injuries, manual handling accidents and falls from height. We’ll also explain how some of the most common causes of injuries at work can be avoided and the steps that can be taken to promote a safer working environment.

Manual Handling & Lifting

In many workplaces, employees are asked to move loads manually. This can be repetitive work involving awkwardly shaped or heavy objects. If lifting is not carried out correctly, there is a risk of sustaining a manual handling injury such as:

Preventing Manual Handling Injuries

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 means employers must think about any dangers associated with manual handling to try and protect their staff. Therefore, they should:

• Wherever possible, try to avoid manual handling operations.
• Carry out risk assessments if manual handling is the only option.
• Take steps to reduce the risk of manual handling injuries as much as possible.

Manual handling training is just one way in which employers could help staff reduce the risk of being injured while lifting. This training should be appropriate for the job at hand and refreshed regularly.

Other steps employers could take to make manual handling operations safer include:

• Providing lifting tools and devices to help the employee.
• Re-arrange the workplace to reduce the distance loads need to be carried.
• Allow regular rest breaks to reduce prolonged periods of manual handling.
• Not ask staff to lift loads that they are not physically able to.

If you have any concerns about your health because of manual handling operations at work, the first thing to do is raise them with your employer and discuss any changes that you think might be helpful.

Slips, Trips, & Falls

Government health and safety statistics for 2023/24 show that slips, trips and falls in the workplace were the most commonly reported causes of injuries at work. They can cause a variety of injuries including broken bones (especially when the hands are used to break a fall), concussions, sprains, strains and work-related back injuries.

Here are a few of the most common causes of slips, trips and falls at work and what can be done to prevent them:

• Wet floors. Spillages, leaks, adverse weather and recent cleaning can all be causes of wet floors at work. To mitigate slips on wet floors, warning signs should always be used where possible. Also, any spillages or leaks should be cleaned up as swiftly as possible.
• Unorganised workplaces. Workers could easily trip on items left around the workplace. Therefore, even in busy workplaces like warehouses and factories, employers should try to ensure that all items are stored in the correct places.
• Poor safety standards. Damaged floors, trailed cables, inadequate lighting and missing safety rails can all be common reasons for slips, trips and falls at work. Therefore, employers should always keep on top of any repairs needed and use warning signs to cordon off any hazards that can’t be dealt with quickly.

When slips, trips and falls in the workplace happen, they can cause serious injuries and so, wherever possible, employers should take steps to try and prevent them.

If you’d like to learn more, we have a guide on preventing slips, trips and falls in the workplace.

Falls From Heights

Due to the risk of injury when working on ladders, platforms and scaffolds, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 were introduced.

However, despite this legislation, falls from height at work are still quite common and, in 2023/24 caused 8% of reported workplace injuries. However, they also accounted for 50 workplace fatalities.

Other common injuries that can be sustained after falling from height at work include:

Preventing Falls From Height

To try and prevent deaths and injuries following a fall from height, employers must:

• Ensure that working at height is the only option to get the job done.
• Train staff on how to work safely at height.
• Provide safety harnesses and other forms of personal protective equipment where required.
• Install safety rails if possible.
• Ensure all lifting equipment like scissor lifts or cherry pickers are properly maintained and fit for purpose.

Employers should allow staff to provide feedback about any safety concerns where required. Also, if you are asked to work at height but believe doing so could put your life in danger or your health at risk, you have the right to refuse to work.

Exposure To Harmful Substances

You may have heard of COSHH if you work with harmful substances. This is the acronym for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. COSHH is designed to help those working with dangerous substances like chemicals, asbestos, fumes and dusts to be aware of the risks posed by those substances and how to use them as safely as possible.

Some of the most common injuries associated with harmful substances at work include:

Preventing Exposure To Harmful Substances

Some of the ways employers can a) try to protect their staff from injuries and b) meet their COSHH regulations include:

• Providing COSHH data sheets for any substances that could cause ill health.
• Train staff on how to handle hazardous substances as safely as possible.
• Provide PPE like breathing apparatus, gloves and eye protection where required.
• Implement better ventilation systems when working in confined spaces.
• Ensure staff are allowed regular rest breaks in fresh air conditions.

Wherever there is a known risk of harm when using chemicals or other substances at work, employers must do all they can to reduce that risk. Importantly, they may need to consider the use of other products or chemicals if those risks cannot be reduced.

Repetitive Strain & Overuse Injuries

Another common cause of injuries at work is Repetitive Strain Injuries or RSIs. These are injuries caused by carrying out repetitive tasks over prolonged periods using the same part of the body.

Some of the most common RSIs you may have heard of include:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).
• Tennis elbow.
• Rotator cuff injuries.
• Trigger finger.
• Tendinitis.
• Back strains and sprains.

Preventing RSI & Overuse Injuries

We won’t cover each of these RSIs here but it is enough to say that such injuries can be extremely painful and may not go away unless the activity that caused them is stopped or changes are made to working procedures.

For example:

• Employers should conduct regular workstation assessments to ensure desks, chairs, and equipment are ergonomic.
• Employees should be encouraged to take regular breaks to reduce repetitive strain.
• Rotating tasks or using tools designed to reduce strain can also help prevent these injuries.

Machinery & Equipment Accidents

The final reason for common injuries at work that we’ll discuss are those caused by workplace machinery and equipment.

To help prevent machinery accidents at work, employers have a legal duty to ensure that any equipment provided is properly maintained and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. They must also fix any faults swiftly and train staff on how to use the equipment correctly and safely.

Some of the most common causes of injuries at work caused by machinery include:

• Amputations and crush injuries caused by missing safety rails on cutting machines.
• Slips, trips and falls caused by leaking machinery (oil or water).
• Injuries caused to other employees by untrained operators of machinery.
• Lacerations caused by contact with sharp edges on damaged workplace machinery.
• Being struck by loose parts that are ejected from the machinery.

The law that governs the use of machinery in the workplace is the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

Conclusion

Many of the most common causes of injuries at work have happened time and time again over years and years. For that reason, the government has introduced many different pieces of health and safety legislation to try and prevent workplace accidents.

If you have been injured at work, you could be entitled to begin a compensation claim for your suffering. Please read this guide on accident at work claims or give us a call on 0800 6524 881 today.