When you are at work, there are always risks that you need to be aware of. Anyone that runs a company will need to be aware of all of the potential injury factors at play. That way, you can protect yourself and everyone that works in your building.
In 2021, there are certain injury risks at play that you must come to grips with. Read on to learn more about workplace injury trends to be aware of this year.
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Cranial and Concussive Injuries
Advancements in brain health have grown by leaps and bounds in the past couple of decades. The problem with brain injuries is that they're not readily easy to diagnose. People that work jobs that require hard hats or have certain inherent risks may deal with concussions, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and other such issues.
Make sure that you require people to wear headgear and that you mitigate risks of falling objects and other issues as much as possible.
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Injuries From Repetitive Motion
Repetitive motion injuries will also be prevalent in 2021. These issues come about when people do the same motion on the job over and over again. It causes inflammation and swelling in the joints and muscles that can create significant pain and discomfort.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common forms of repetitive motion injury. People might suffer these injuries after gripping and using tools on a regular basis, typing at a desk all day, doing assembly line work, and a variety of other issues.
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Heat-Related Injuries
You will need to control the heat injury risks in your company to make sure that you're keeping employees as safe as possible. Heat-related injuries can cause illness and even death.
When a person is dealing with heat-related injuries, they may become disoriented, suffer heatstroke, severe dehydration, muscle cramps, heat rash, and other issues. These heat-related injuries come about when people work long hours outside or in couped up indoor areas with high temperatures.
Some companies that deal with heat-related injuries include laundry processes, plants, assembly lines, mines, and boiler rooms. You will need to do your best to control temperatures, exertion, work shifts, hydration, and other factors that can help you mitigate these risks.
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Broken Bones and Fractures
Broken bones and fractures are other issues that come about in many workplaces. People can break bones in a variety of ways during the course of manual labour.
These injuries drastically change a person's ability to do their job and often require extensive physiotherapy. Depending on the extent of the fracture or break, they may even have to get surgery or wear a cast for long stretches of time.
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Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries are one of the most prevalent forms of accidents in any workplace. All it takes is a slick surface or cluttered floor or ground space for someone to fall and suffer from one of these injuries.
These injuries can even be potentially fatal, particularly when it comes to stairways. Take the time to investigate your workplace to make sure that you are mitigating slip and fall risks each day.
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Mental Health Damages
Mental health issues are increasingly coming to prominence in our society. As a result, you should expect to see people needing help with ways in which they can improve their mental wellbeing in 2021.
More people in New Zealand are suffering from depression and anxiety, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. People deal with chronic depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a variety of other mental health problems on a regular basis that can make it difficult to hold down a job.
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Injuries From Overexertion
When people are working long hours and constantly doing heavy lifting, it is very possible that they will deal with overexertion injuries. These situations can cause severe damage to muscles and joints, and can also cause a person to pass out or otherwise exacerbate the injury.
Make sure to enforce breaks, keep your workplace ventilated and teach proper form.
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Car Crash Injuries
Finally, you need to be aware of the potential for automobile injuries. Many companies provide their employees with automobiles to use throughout the course of work.
When these car crashes happen, people will commonly deal with whiplash, neck and back injuries, concussions, and all sorts of other problems.
Deal With Workplace Injuries Head-On
If you or someone in your company experiences a workplace injury, you need to know how to deal with it. Understanding the current trends for 2021 is half the battle. Create plans and policies that will fortify your business and always have contingencies in place to help you out.
When you need assistance in preventing and dealing with injuries, it often takes working with professionals in that industry.
At Gallagher Bassett, we would be glad to help you out with your claims handling and risk management needs. Reach out to us using our web form for more information.