Top 10 Workplace Injuries and How to Protect Your Team

Navigate Common Workplace Injuries: A Guide to Prevention and Protection

This guide outlines ten common workplace injuries and how SoloProtect's  devices can aid in prevention and response. Understanding these risks is crucial. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2022 alone, private industries within the United States reported nearly 2.3 million nonfatal workplace injuries stemming from slips, trips, and falls. This translates to a significant portion of your workforce potentially facing injury each year. By implementing effective safety measures and utilizing innovative technology like SoloProtect's devices, you can significantly reduce these risks and create a safer working environment for your team.

1. How to prevent slips trips and falls in the workplace

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most frequent workplace injuries, occurring in various settings from offices to construction sites.

Causes: Wet or uneven floors, cluttered areas, and poor lighting.

Prevention: Ensure workspaces are well-lit and clutter-free. Clean floors regularly and address spills promptly.

SoloProtect Devices: Equip employees with the SoloProtect ID Touch or the SoloProtect Curve. Both devices feature automatic fall (Man Down) detection, sensing a fall and raising an SOS alarm to ensure prompt assistance, especially for lone workers.

Why Slips, Trips & Falls Are a Major Workplace Concern

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2022,slips, trips, and falls accounted for nearly 2.3 million nonfatal workplace injuries in private industries within the United States. This translates to approximately 1 out of every 5 reported injuries.

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2. Eliminate Muscle Strain and Back Pain at Work

Muscle strains, particularly in the back and neck, commonly result from lifting heavy objects or maintaining poor posture over time.

Causes: Improper lifting techniques and prolonged awkward postures.

Prevention: Implement proper lifting techniques, such as bending at the knees, keeping the back straight, and avoiding twisting. Provide training on these techniques and make efficient improvements. Encourage regular breaks and stretching exercises to minimize the risk of muscle strain.

SoloProtect Device: Use the SoloProtect Mobile App with the Ready2Talk feature, which provides support and reassurance to lone workers in non-emergency situations. The app can offer immediate assistance if employees experience muscle strain or injury.

How Many Workplace Muscle Strain Injuries Occur Each Year?

While the BLS doesn't provide a specific number for muscle strains alone, their data shows that Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are a leading workplace concern. In 2021, there were over 976,000 total MSD cases reported in private industries, which can include back strains.

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3. Prevent Serious Impact Injuries: Implementing Effective Workplace Safety Strategies

Impact injuries occur when an individual is struck by an object or collides with something, leading to bruises, fractures, or more severe injuries.

Causes: Falling objects, moving machinery, or inattentiveness.

Prevention: Maintain tidy work areas and securely store heavy objects. Enforce the use of protective gear like helmets and safety goggles.

SoloProtect Device: Deploy the SoloProtect Shield for real-time monitoring. Use the Check-In feature to record a brief message, detailing location and activities to aid subsequent alerts.

Stop Workplace Injuries Before They Start

The BLS categorizes these under "struck-by" injuries. In 2022, there were over 171,000 nonfatal workplace injuries involving workers being struck by objects or equipment.

4. Minimizing the Risk of Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) at Work

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) results from overuse of body parts due to repetitive tasks.

Causes: Awkward positions, prolonged posture, stressing muscles and tendons.

Prevention: Conduct risk assessments, utilize equipment like keyboards and chairs, and encourage regular breaks. Provide training on correct posture and task variation throughout the day.

SoloProtect Device: The SoloProtect Mobile App enhances workplace safety by integrating the SoloProtect Mass Notification System, which promptly alerts all employees in case of emergencies or important announcements, ensuring comprehensive safety measures.

The Alarming Rise of RSIs: Why Prevention Matters

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reports that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including RSIs, are the leading cause of workplace illness in the United States, accounting for about 34% of all reported occupational illnesses.

Download our Lone Worker Risk Assessment Template.

5. How to Prevent Cuts & Lacerations in the Workplace: A Guide to Safe Handling

Cuts and lacerations frequently occur in workplaces involving sharp tools or machinery, such as kitchens, workshops, and manufacturing plants.

Causes: Handling sharp objects and machinery.

Prevention: Train employees on the proper use of sharp objects and machinery. Implement safety protocols and provide protective gear like gloves. Regularly maintain and inspect equipment to prevent malfunctions.

SoloProtect Device: Utilize the SoloProtect ID Touch to provide employees with a discreet emergency alert system, allowing them to quickly summon help if an accident occurs. Additionally, it integrates with the SoloProtect 24/7 Monitoring Center, ensuring immediate response and assistance during emergencies, thereby strengthening workplace safety protocols.

Cutting Through the Risk: A Look at Workplace Cuts and Lacerations

Cuts and lacerations are among the most frequent workplace injuries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While the BLS doesn't provide a specific breakdown for cuts and lacerations, data shows that in private industries alone, there were over 89,730 reported cases in 2020 from various sources including machinery, tools, and sharp objects.

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6. How can you Protect Workers from Breathing in Hazards at Work?

Inhalation hazards are significant in environments with dust, fumes, vapors, or hazardous substances. Prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory issues or acute poisoning.

Causes: Workplace exposure to airborne dust, fumes, vapors, and hazardous substances.

Prevention: Ensure proper ventilation and use air filtration systems. Provide appropriate respiratory protection, like masks, and ensure correct usage. Train employees on handling hazardous substances and encourage prompt reporting of ventilation issues.

SoloProtect Device: The SoloProtect Curve enhances safety monitoring by offering a discreet alert system and automatic fall detection, which is crucial in environments where inhalation hazards could incapacitate employees.

Invisible Threat: Protecting Yourself from Inhalation Hazards

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were over 542,830 reported respiratory illnesses in private industries alone in 2020. While this data doesn't differentiate between specific causes, it emphasizes the prevalence of respiratory issues potentially linked to inhalation hazards.

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7. Shield Your Ears: Understanding and Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can cause noise-induced hearing loss, a preventable condition prevalent in industries like manufacturing and construction.

Causes: Excessive workplace noise from machinery or processes can damage hearing over time

Prevention: Conduct regular noise assessments and control exposure with sound-dampening systems or machinery enclosures. Provide earplugs or earmuffs and train employees on their use and hearing conservation.

SoloProtect Device: Use the SoloProtect Curve. In areas with low signal, the Monitoring Timer feature offers extensive protection and peace of mind to your lone and remote working employees.

Silent Threat: Protecting Your Hearing from Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 22% of workers in the United States are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work. This highlights the importance of hearing conservation practices to prevent this irreversible condition.

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8. How to Prevent and Respond to Workplace Burns

Burn injuries can result from contact with flames, hot surfaces, chemicals, or electrical sources. They are common in kitchens, laboratories, and industrial settings.

Causes: Flames, hot surfaces, energized equipment, and caustic chemicals - all workplace hazards that can inflict burns.

Prevention: Enforce safety protocols for handling hot substances and heat sources. Provide and train on the use of protective equipment like heat-resistant gloves. Regularly maintain equipment to prevent overheating.

SoloProtect Device: The SoloProtect Shield allows for immediate alerting in case of a burn incident, ensuring a rapid emergency response. Additionally, it integrates with the SoloProtect Check-In feature, which enables employees to provide real-time updates on their status and location directly through the device.

Burns and Their Prevalence in the Workplace

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 450,000 burn injuries require medical attention each year in the United States

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9. Safeguard Your Sight: Preventing Common Workplace Eye Injuries

Eye injuries can occur from exposure to hazardous chemicals, flying debris, or intense light, leading to temporary or permanent vision impairment.

Causes: Hazardous chemicals, flying debris, intense light.

Prevention: Enforce the use of protective eyewear like safety goggles. Train employees on the risks and proper use of protective equipment. Regularly inspect and maintain machinery that poses eye risks.

SoloProtect Device: Utilize the SoloProtectID Touch and the SoloProtect Curve which incorporates the Red Alert panic button feature. This allows employees to promptly notify supervisors of any eye injury or hazard, facilitating quick response and ensuring workplace safety protocols are adhered to.

Eye Safety in the Workplace: A Shocking Statistic

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nearly 1 million eye injuries are reported in the United States each year, with a significant portion occurring in workplaces.

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10. Protect Your Workers from Electrical Hazards

Electrical injuries, including shocks and burns, can occur in any workplace using electricity. Risks are not limited to high-risk environments like construction sites.

Causes: Faulty equipment, improper use of electrical devices.

Prevention: Ensure all electrical installations meet safety standards and are regularly inspected. Train employees on safe handling andimmediate fault reporting. Use insulated gloves and mats where needed, andplace clear signage near electrical hazards.

SoloProtect Device: Integrate the SoloProtectID Touch or the SoloProtect Curve, these devices integrate seamlessly for real-time monitoring of electrical safety compliance. They also feature the Red Alert feature, which provides immediate alerts in case of electrical faults or hazards. This integration ensures prompt response and mitigation of potential risks, enhancing overall safety protocols in the workplace. real-time monitoring of electrical safety compliance and immediate alerts in case of electrical faults or hazards.

Hidden Danger: Electrical Injuries Lurk in Every Workplace

The BLS documented over 4,700 electrical shock/burn injuries in 1995, with construction trades at highest risk.

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Enhance Safety with SoloProtect’s Personal Safety Technology

Workplace injuries remain a significant challenge, but proactive measures can significantly reduce their occurrence. SoloProtect’s range of personal safety devices - including the SoloProtect ID Touch, SoloProtect Shield, SoloProtect Curve, and the SoloProtect Mobile App - are designed to address specific workplace hazards.  We offer targeted solutions for fall detection, emergency alerts, real-time monitoring, and immediate assistance.

To explore how SoloProtect can improve your workplace safety, book a demo today.