Common Causes Of Office Workplace Injuries

When most people think of workplace accidents, they think of hazardous worksites like construction sites and oil rigs. However, the majority of employees in Florida work in an office, and office workplace injuries happen every day. At Earnhart Law, our experienced Delray Beach personal injury attorneys are here to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve after an office workplace accident. To learn more, call or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Falls

Falling is the most common office workplace accident, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that office workers are more than two times more likely to suffer from a falling accident than non-office workers. The most common causes of falls in the office include slipping on wet or uneven floors, reaching for something while sitting in an unstable chair, tripping over loose carpeting, electrical cords, open drawers, or objects in the walkway, using a chair instead of a ladder to reach something, and poor lighting or visibility in the office.

Lifting or Moving Heavy Objects 

Another common cause of workplace injuries in the office is when an employee is asked to lift or move heavy objects. Even smaller objects like stacks of paper, computers, and boxes can cause injury if lifted improperly, which can cause injury to a person’s neck, back, shoulders, nerves, and more. It is always recommended to use the legs when lifting, not the back, use the entire hand to carry or move and object, and to ask for help if something is too big to move by yourself.

Incorrect Ergonomics

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an ergonomically incorrect desk setup can lead to significant stress on parts of the body and injuries to workers, including many types of musculoskeletal disorders. Incorrect ergonomics in an office causes up to $15 billion in workers’ compensation claims nationwide every year. Common causes of injuries caused by ergonomic errors include repetitive motions that cause strain on nerves and joints, sitting in awkward positions or straining the neck and eyes while looking at screens, static postures, and a lack of breaks all contribute to office injuries.

Indoor Air Quality

Lastly, poor indoor air quality is also a common contributor to office workplace injury claims. The National Safety Council identified the prevalence of poor air quality inside offices as a factor in the increase of occupational asthma, respiratory disorders, chemical sensitivity, and allergies that can all lead to office injury claims. The reasons for the decrease in office air quality include inadequate ventilation systems, office overcrowding, the presence of cleaning chemicals and pesticides, water damage, mold growth, poor office design, too much or too little humidity, and poor housekeeping.

Talk to Our Office Now

Have you or someone you know suffered a workplace injury in the office? The knowledgeable personal injury lawyers at Earnhart Law in Delray Beach are here to help. Call the office or contact us today to schedule a free evaluation of your claims now.

Resource:

osha.gov/ergonomics