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Common injuries for manufacturing workers

On Behalf of | Feb 17, 2021 | Firm News

All workers in Georgia expose themselves to some level of injury risk in the workplace, but some jobs are more dangerous than others. Workers in the manufacturing industry who familiarize themselves with the most common injuries in their job field may become better able to protect themselves while at work.

Common injuries

The National Safety Council listed the following as the most common injuries to the manufacturing industry in 2017. The statistics provided by the NSC represents a compilation of data taken from more than 115,000 injuries:

  • Muscle tears, sprains, and strains – 30%
  • Puncture wounds, cuts, and lacerations – 13%
  • Muscle pain and soreness – 12%
  • Bone fractures – 11%
  • Bruises and contusions – 10%

Common injury causes

Manufacturing workers should be better able to avoid common workplace injuries by understanding the causes associated with these injuries. The NSC attributed the following causes to the studied injuries:

  • Collisions and contact with objects in the workplace – 34%
  • Overexertion – 32%
  • Slips, trips and falls – 18%
  • Repetitive motion – 6%
  • Dangerous substances – 5%

Workplace injury prevention

Facilities that take a proactive approach to workplace safety efforts will likely decrease their number of workers’ compensation claims. Personal protective equipment will also reduce the injury risks associated with working alongside machinery and heavy equipment. Signs and safety markers can alert workers to existing dangers and remind them to remain vigilant while working.

Proper safety training is also an essential component of worker safety in the manufacturing industry. Workers should receive relevant training in equipment handling, ergonomics and the safest methods for lifting heavy objects.

Accidents do happen, so there are times when the most stringent workplace safety practices will not prevent an injury from occurring. Workers with questions about what to do after suffering an injury on the job may benefit from speaking to an attorney.