Workplace accidents do not always occur in risky working environments. Take note of some of the most common office-based workplace accidents
When talking about workplace accidents, the focus is generally on sectors where manual labour or the use of machinery feature heavily in the work performed.
In these work settings, there is obviously always a greater risk of suffering an occupational risk that is associated with the activity itself.
In other types of environments, however, such as office work, workplace accidents can also occur that can have serious consequences for employees involved.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common office-based workplace accidents:
- Falls from height. A fall from height does not have to be from a great distance. Falling from a ladder is considered a fall from height, and this can cause significant injury to the victim.
- Cuts. A cut or puncture with a pair of scissors, for example, can trigger a serious injury. This is one of the most common accidents that takes place in the office.
- Trips and falls. Slips and trips are very frequent. According to statistics, one in four accidents relates to a trip or a fall.
- Fire. Accidents involving fire can occur for various reasons in the workplace, causing serious damage and personal injury.
- Electricity. Accidents caused by electrical contact are also very common in an office environment.
- Overexertion. For employees who are not used to manual labour, injuries can occur due at times of overexertion. This can be caused by something as simple as lifting a heavy object.
- Fatigue. Fatigue can occur in various ways: muscle fatigue, eye fatigue, posture, all of which can lead to significant injuries in the medium and long term.
- Knocks. Accidental knocks such as hitting the corner of a desk or catching your hand on the door can lead to injury. These are common occurrences in office environments that can be considered workplace hazards.
Can workplace accidents be avoided?
As their name suggests, accidents occur in cases that have not been avoided, however, taking adequate precautionary measures will help to avoid accidents in most cases.
Employees also have an obligation to comply with the prevention regulations to maintain a prevention system that is as complete and effective as possible.
To develop an effective prevention plan that meets the needs of the company, it is necessary to have an OHS training capable of offering up-to-date and specialised information on workplace accident prevention.
Companies are obliged to implement risk management promoting a true preventive culture through a professional Workplace Risk Prevention Plan.
OHS training and workplace risk prevention platforms are the most valuable resources to promote and improve the prevention of workplace risks in any company.
The better the knowledge of the risks associated with the workplace environment and sector, the better the prevention measures and associated protocols will be in order to minimise the risks.