What Are the Top Injuries in a Typical Office, and How Can You Avoid Them?

Workplace injuries are very common irrespective of following every possible safety measure. However, the injuries occurring in an office environment are distinct from other professions.

For example, the virtual work culture is indoors.

We spend most of the time seated working on a laptop, talking on the phone, or writing.

This increases the possibility of some back or neck injuries, weak eyesight, pain in the hands, etc.

Likewise, tripping over some scattered objects, messy electrical wires, disorganized furniture, etc., are also part of office injuries due to carelessness.

As most of our time is spent inside an office today, we should know the cause and ways to avoid these injuries.

Trip and Fall Injuries

One-third of the office injuries happen due to tripping over or falling, which cause most damages to our body.

The most common reasons for falls are:

• Slipping on wet floors
• Tripping over a cluttered electrical cable, loose carpet in walkways, or an open drawer
• Insufficient lighting
• Bending to get something while sitting on a rickety chair
• Using a chair instead of a ladder

Ways to Prevent Falls in the Office:

• Use safety signs for employees after cleaning floors.
• Get up instead of bending or stretching to reach something while seated.
• Report loose wires or carpeting to the person in charge
• If you need to get something above, use a step ladder and not a chair.

Lifting Objects Carelessly

Being careless while lifting even a small load, i.e., a bundle of papers, files, etc., can cause injury.

You may hurt your back, neck, or shoulder.

So be careful while doing such tasks or ask your co-worker to help.

Besides That, Follow These Steps to Lessen the Risk of Getting Hurt.

• Squat down for lifting something from the floor. This way, you will use your legs rather than your back.
• Grab the objects properly by your hands instead of just your fingers to prevent them from falling and hurting yourself
• Always try to keep your back straight and use the strength of your legs as much as possible.

Ergonomic Injuries

Poor office ergonomics are one of the reasons for injuries.
Spending long hours seated on an uncomfortable chair and working at an inappropriately designed computer table compels us to sit in awkward positions. This often results in sprains, aches, and pains.

Following These Little Tips Can Prevent These Injuries:

• Keep the chair, keyboard, and monitor aligned with your body.
• Always keep your elbows at a 90-degree angle while typing.
• Keep your back straight while sitting, and adjust your chair to support your back.
• Keep a footrest to support your legs.
• Give your eyes a 30 seconds rest by looking away from the computer every 10 minutes.
• Maintain a relaxed posture.

Electrical Injuries

Most offices have electrical equipment, and sometimes this becomes the cause of accidents. Even low voltage can give an electric shock and consequent muscle spasms.

Following These Basic Guidelines Helps Avoid Such Accidents:

• Make sure to keep the electronic equipment wire well maintained all the time.
• If you find any fault in equipment, stop using it.
• All electrical equipment should have a PAT sticker that shows that it has been tested and is safe to use.

In short, you can prevent yourself and your employer from facing heavy damages in these little ways.

Your Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Burbank Is Just a Call Awa

If you still get injured at work, irrespective of following all the safety guidelines, you can claim workers’ compensation. Though you may be able to make a claim on your own, your Burbank Workers’ Compensation Attorney makes things easier. They let you focus on your recovery, which they handle the case.

Besides, they are just a call away!