Disability insurance is a necessary evil. Private companies report more than 2.8 million workplace injuries each year.

The most common workplace injuries are often avoidable. Take a look at these 9 common workplace injuries to help you avoid getting hurt at work this year.

1. Slip and Fall

Slip and falls account for around 33 percent of all reported workplace injuries. It’s one of the most common workplace injuries that you can prevent.

Cleaning up your workspace is the best way to prevent trips and falls. The items you’re likely to trip over are almost always not in their proper place.

After a floor is mopped or buffed, it’s important for cleaning staff to use the correct signage to alert you of the slip hazard. But most often, simply cleaning up and watching your step means avoiding a trip and fall.

Also, make sure you’re wearing slip-resistant shoes in environments where spills are common like a restaurant or food manufacturer.

2. Overexertion

Another one of the most common workplace injuries in the U.S. is overexertion. Pulling a muscle happens when you don’t lift a heavy item correctly or keep working after you’ve noticed you’re exhausted.

It’s important to take your scheduled breaks during the day to avoid overexertion. Every employer wants things faster, better, and cheaper.

But it’s not worth risking your health and safety to increase the bottom line. Once you’ve reached the point of overexertion, you won’t be able to be productive at all.

If the muscle strain is serious, your employer would rather you took your legally appointed break than to contact a lawyer for workers compensation.

3. Hit By Falling Objects

Getting struck by a falling object is another type of injury you might experience at work. It’s another case of not having an organized workplace.

If items are put away in their appropriate places, there should be few, if any, cases of getting hit by a falling object. The object that fell was likely not in a stable location.

If you see something, say something. Pallets stacked incorrectly might not be your job but it could result in your injury. Notify a supervisor right away when you see potential dangers around your workplace.

Check up high before entering a work area to avoid possible injury. This isn’t always possible on a construction site where the falling object isn’t easily visible.

Make sure you’re always wearing personal protection equipment like a hard hat while on dangerous job sites.

4. Getting Crushed

On construction sites, there are heavy objects constantly in motion. Getting crushed by a falling or moving object is a common issue.

These injuries are serious especially when involving heavy machinery. Amputation or other types of surgery might be required leaving you unable to work.

Contact an attorney immediately if you experience this kind of injury at work. The recovery process won’t be definite which can bring a substantial disruption to your income over the long term.

A settlement can help you maintain yourself financially while you recover or look for a replacement income.

5. Driving Accidents

One of the most common workplace injuries for delivery drivers is highway accidents. These accidents are common even while you aren’t at work.

More than 1 million people die each year in traffic accidents making it the leading cause of death in the United States. An accident, as the name implies, isn’t always avoidable.

But there are steps you can take to reduce the chances of a collision. The first step to safe driving is to avoid distractions.

Driving isn’t the time to use your phone, eat or get dressed for work. Keep your hands at 10 and 2 o’clock on the steering wheel at all times checking your mirrors before making any lane changes.

6. Cuts

Getting cut can happen at just about any workplace. Even a sheet of paper can result in a cut on a finger or arm while working safely.

There’s very little you can do to avoid a paper cut, but if you’re working around more heavy-duty equipment like saws and slicers, it’s important to use protective gear at all times.

Keep safety guards on cutting equipment until it’s time to use it. If you haven’t been properly trained on a piece of machinery, don’t try to teach yourself on the job no matter how time sensitive your project is.

7. Fires

Follow chemical safety guidelines to avoid fires in the workplace. Fires and explosions are only common in workplaces where employees commonly handle explosives.

Most employers hold safety training to educate employees on the best ways to dispose of and mix chemicals. Follow these rules to the letter to avoid injuries.

8. Toxic Fumes

Reading the poison labels on products is very important especially when working indoors. Toxic chemicals give off fumes that can be harmful to your health.

If you’re feeling lightheaded or drowsy at work, step outside to a ventilated area during your breaks throughout the day. Overexposure might lead to an injury that’s not possible to reverse.

9. Loud Noise

Most people don’t realize that loud noises can result in injury. But loud noises can affect your hearing.

If you don’t want to permanently lose your hearing ability, always wear personal protective gear while working around loud sounds. Employers typically provide earplugs or headphones when working around loud equipment.

Avoiding the Most Common Workplace Injuries

The most common workplace injuries aren’t always your fault. There’s little you can do about an employer’s negligence, but you can control how you react.

Always contact an attorney immediately to find out your options for compensation. An injury that seems small could lead to a much bigger issue that takes away your ability to work.

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