SEVEN MOST COMMON WAREHOUSE INJURIES

INJURIES

If you work in a warehouse, you have probably been busier than ever since the Corona virus appeared, as more and more people turn to online shopping. However, tired, or overworked workers are much more likely to suffer from injuries if they end up working extra hours in the warehouse, despite the appeal of overtime pay. In fact, working in a warehouse can be dangerous anyway; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises that the rate of fatal injuries in a warehouse environment is higher than the average for all other industries.

Of course, it is the role of employers to keep their employees safe, but hazardous materials, pallets stacked too high, and moving forklifts can all make this a potentially dangerous place to work. If you work in a warehouse, it is important that you have a good understanding of the potential hazards, so you can keep yourself free from injury, and prevent injuries to others. Here are the seven most common warehouse injuries:

1) Forklift Accidents

If you work around forklifts, you probably know the hazards that are present, with the most common forklift injuries occurring from an overturned forklift. Every year, almost 100,000 people are injured by forklifts in the workplace, and about 100 people are killed.

2) Being Hit by An Object

Shoulder injuries, back injuries, concussions, and even potentially more serious injuries can all result from objects falling from stacked pallets, especially if they have been stacked too high.

3) Body Parts Caught Between Machinery or Objects

Hands, feet, and fingers can easily get caught in equipment, or between equipment, and even getting trapped between the loading dock and a truck is common.

4) Falls, Slips and Trips

A wet floor, spilled oil or other chemicals or powders on the floor can all be slipping hazards to warehouse workers. And it is easier than you might think to fall the four feet from the loading dock to the ground and injure yourself. Slips and falls can also be caused by inadequate lighting, cables or cords out in the open, and uneven flooring or walkways.

5) Fire, convulsions, and chemical

Fire, convulsions, and chemical burns can all be caused by spilled or damaged hazardous material containers. Damage to the organs, cancer and various other long-term effects are not quite as common but are still a possibility.

6) Injuries Due to Overexertion

Strained muscles, joint injuries and injuries to the neck and back can all be caused by carrying, pulling, or lifting a heavy or large item, or lowering it to the ground.

7) Repetitive Stress Injuries

Joint injuries and strained muscles, as well as carpal tunnel can all be a result of repetitive stress injuries, caused by doing the same job repeatedly.

Injuries happen in warehouses despite the best efforts of employers to comply with OSHA requirements, and warehouse workers and other key workers deserve a safe working environment. Contact us if you are a warehouse worker who has been injured while at work; our expert team can help with securing compensation for your loss of wages and medical costs.