In the bustling city of Philadelphia, workplace safety is a significant concern for employers and employees alike. Providing a safe working environment is not only a legal requirement for employers, but a moral imperative. Unfortunately, despite Pennsylvania’s strict workplace safety protocols and regulations, workplace accidents still occur at an alarming rate.
The National Safety Council, America’s leading nonprofit safety advocate, evaluated data collected between 2021 and 2022 to determine the most common causes of work-related injuries. Their research concluded that the five leading causes are:
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments, accounting for 28% of injuries.
- Overexertion, accounting for 23% of injuries.
- Slips, trips, and falls, accounting for 20% of injuries.
- Contact with objects and equipment, accounting for 20% of injuries.
- Workplace violence, accounting for 4% of injuries.
The experienced workers’ compensation legal team at the Law Offices of E. William Hevenor stand ready to advocate for injured workers in Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey, demanding justice, accountability, and rightful compensation. If you or a loved one have suffered a workplace accident, trust our skilled and seasoned team to guide you through the process.
1. Exposure to Harmful Substances or Environments (28%)
Exposure to hazardous substances and environments poses a profound threat to workers across many vital industries, especially for employees working in the manufacturing, construction, and healthcare fields. Chemical spills, toxic fumes, and poor ventilation can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritations, and long-term health problems. Employers can mitigate the risk of exposure by ensuring employees receive adequate training, providing sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE), implementing proper ventilation systems, and conducting regular inspections of hazardous substances and their storage systems.
2. Overexertion Injuries (23%)
A substantial percentage of workplace injuries can be attributed to overexertion, leading to strains, sprains, repetitive motion injuries, and similar musculoskeletal injuries. Workplace tasks such as heavy lifting, prolonged standing, and repetitive motions can lead to fatigue and injury, which employees working in industries such as warehousing, agriculture, and construction are especially vulnerable to. To combat this issue, employers should provide ergonomic tools and equipment, offer training on healthy lifting techniques, ensure regular breaks, and encourage rest and recovery.
3. Slips, Trips, and Falls (20%)
The risk of slips, trips, and falls is pervasive for workers across industries, made worse when wet floors, cluttered walkways, uneven surfaces, or inadequate lighting is involved. These accidents can result in injuries ranging from minor sprains to severe head injuries and fractures. Employers can mitigate the risk of slips, trips, and falls by maintaining clean, dry, and unobstructed floors, providing adequate lighting, securing cables and cords, installing handrails and anti-slip flooring, and conducting regular safety inspections.
4. Contact with Objects and Equipment (20%)
Contact with objects and equipment, especially heavy machinery, can pose a significant threat to workers and lead to life-changing injuries, including lacerations, crush injuries, and even amputations. Inadequate training, a lack of safety protocols, and poor machinery maintenance can increase the likelihood of such accidents, especially in fields such as construction, logistics, and manufacturing. It’s vital that employers provide comprehensive training on equipment operation, conduct regular maintenance and inspection, enforce stringent safety protocols, and ensure that safety guards and protective devices are in place and functioning.
5. Workplace Violence (4%)
Workplace violence presents a significant threat to employee safety and well-being, especially in cases of harassment, verbal abuse, and physical assault. No workplace is immune from the risk of workplace violence, but employees working in specific industries are more vulnerable, such as healthcare, hospitality, and retail employees. Employers should implement preventative measures such as zero-tolerance policies, conflict resolution and de-escalation training, clear reporting procedures, and support services for employees who have witnessed or been the victim of workplace violence.
Contact Our Experienced Philadelphia and South Jersey Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury on the job in South Jersey or Greater Philadelphia, turn to an experienced workers’ compensation legal team: the Law Offices of E. William Hevenor. We are committed to advocating for the rights of injured workers, fighting aggressively for your rightful compensation. Contact us or call us at (610) 251-9930 today.