At many workplaces across Georgia, workplace injuries unfortunately happen. Work-related injuries can be so severe that they can make you absent from work for a long time, which taking away a substantial amount of income.
Dealing with workplace injuries can be stressful and debilitating, but there are certain steps you can take to make the recovery easier. This blog will inform you on workplace injuries and what to do after you’ve been injured at work.
Common Causes of Workplace Injuries
Slips, Trips and Falls
Slips, trips, and falls are the most common causes of nonfatal injuries in the workplace. These happen when floors are wet, surfaces are uneven, or there are obstacles in walkways. Keeping the workspace clean and tidy, using signs, and maintaining floors can reduce these incidents. Regular safety audits and reporting of hazards are key to preventing these injuries.
Overexertion
Overexertion injuries happen when employees lift, push, pull or carry heavy objects beyond their capacity. These can cause muscle strains, back injuries and other musculoskeletal issues. Proper lifting techniques, mechanical aids and regular breaks can help reduce the risk of overexertion. Additionally, illness cases involving days away from work often result from overexertion and bodily reaction.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Repetitive motion injuries and illnesses like carpal tunnel syndrome happen when you do the same motion over and over for long periods. These are common in jobs that require constant typing, assembly line work or using specific tools. Ergonomic workstations, regular breaks and exercises can help prevent these injuries. Educating employees on proper posture and ergonomics is key.
Contact with Objects and Equipment
Injuries from contact with objects and equipment include being hit by falling objects, getting caught in machinery or being crushed by equipment. Keeping office equipment and furniture in good condition is essential to prevent hazardous edges and unwanted lacerations. These incidents happen in construction, manufacturing and warehouse environments. Safety measures include using guards on machines, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and regular equipment maintenance. Training employees on safe equipment operation is critical.
Preventing Workplace Injuries
Safety and Wellness Training
Workers’ safety and wellness training is key to preventing workplace injuries. Employees need to know the hazards in their work environment and the procedures to mitigate those risks. Regular training sessions ensure everyone knows the safety procedures and can act accordingly in hazardous situations.
Pre-Employment Physicals
Mandatory pre-employment physicals helps identify any health risks that can compromise an employee’s ability to do their job safely. This step ensures employees are physically capable of doing their tasks and can prevent injuries from overexertion or physical inadequacy.
Safe Work Environment
A safe work environment is key to reducing the risk of injuries. This means keeping the workspace clean and tidy, proper lighting and removing any obstacles that can cause slips, trips and falls. Regular inspections and maintenance of equipment is also necessary to prevent breakdowns that can cause injuries.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to protect employees from workplace hazards. This includes items like gloves, goggles, hard hats and ear protection. Providing the PPE and training employees on its use can reduce the risk of injuries.
Ergonomic Workplace Design
Ergonomic design in the workplace can prevent repetitive motion injuries and musculoskeletal problems. This means adjusting workstations to fit the employee, providing supportive seating and encouraging regular breaks to avoid prolonged repetitive activities. Educating employees on proper posture and movement is also key.
Regular Safety Audits
Regular safety audits helps identify potential hazards before they cause injuries. These audits involve a thorough inspection of the workplace, assessment of current safety procedures and recommendations for improvement. Addressing the findings from these audits quickly ensures a safer work environment.
Collecting and analyzing data from these audits is crucial for identifying trends and preventing future incidents.
What to Do Immediately After a Workplace Injury
1. First Aid and Immediate Response
First aid is the first priority after a workplace injury. Ensure injured employees receive first aid to stabilize their condition. Having a fully stocked first aid kit and trained personnel on site is crucial for immediate response.
2. Report the Injury
Next step is to report the work-related injury to a supervisor or safety officer. Reporting the incident quickly ensures it’s documented and any immediate hazards are addressed to prevent further injuries. Follow company procedures and legal requirements for reporting.
3. Get Medical Attention
Injured employees should get medical attention for both injuries and illnesses as soon as possible. This may mean visiting a doctor, urgent care or emergency room depending on the severity of the injury. Timely medical evaluation is important for proper diagnosis and treatment and to document the extent of the injury for future claims.
4. Document the Incident
Accurate documentation of the incident is important for legal and insurance purposes. Record the details of the injury including how it happened, time and location and any witnesses. This should be thorough and kept on file for reference in case of disputes or claims.
Additionally, documenting incidents is crucial for reporting fatal occupational injuries as part of the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program.
5. Follow Up and Review
After the initial response follow up with the injured employee to monitor their progress and ensure they get the support they need. Review the incident to identify what went wrong and implement measures to prevent it happening again. This step helps improve workplace safety and reduce the risk of repeat injuries.
Physical Therapy for Workplace Injuries
Pain Management
Physical therapy is key to managing pain from workplace injuries. Through targeted exercises, manual therapy and other techniques physical therapists reduce pain and improve mobility. This non invasive approach often reduces the need for pain medication and the risk of addiction.
Function and Mobility
Physical therapy focuses on restoring function and mobility in the injured area. Therapists create individualized rehabilitation programs to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility and overall physical function. This gets employees back to normal activities faster and better.
Prevention of Further Injury
Physical therapists not only treat existing injuries but educate patients on how to prevent future ones. They teach proper body mechanics, ergonomic principles and safe movement techniques. This empowers employees to not re-injure and maintain long term health and safety in the workplace.
Individualized Rehabilitation Plans
Every workplace injury is different, requires a individualized approach to rehabilitation. Physical therapists assess the patient’s specific needs and create individualized treatment plans. These plans address the injury, work demands and personal goals to get the best recovery outcome.
Mental Health Support
Dealing with a workplace injury can be stressful and impact an employee’s mental health. Physical therapy is a supportive environment where patients can talk about their concerns and get encouragement. The structured rehabilitation process builds confidence and helps a positive mindset to recovery.
Affordable
Physical therapy is an affordable treatment for workplace injuries. It reduces the need for expensive surgery and long term medication. By getting employees back to work faster physical therapy also reduces lost productivity and associated costs for the employer.
Visit Our Atlanta Physical Therapy Clinic Today!
Workplace injuries can range from minor to severe, but every injury should get proper treatment. Our physical therapists at our Atlanta physical therapy clinic can help you recover from various injuries and regain your mobility and strength.
Schedule an appointment by calling 404-687-9000 today!
