Certain job risks are more or less universal. Employees in almost any profession could develop repetitive strain injuries if they perform the same job tasks for years. Car crashes are a safety issue that affects professionals in a broad range of different careers.
Falls are also a nearly-universal workplace safety concern. Some professionals are at risk of falling from a significant elevation, but every worker is potentially vulnerable to same-level falls. Restaurant workers, white-collar professionals and semi-truck drivers can all experience a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall while working. Even if a fall does not involve a significant elevation, a worker could end up seriously hurt.
What are the most common slip-and-fall injuries?
There are several significant injuries that employees could incur in a same-level fall. Frequently, workers who slip or trip and fall develop soft tissue injuries. They may cut themselves or strain their joints as they try to stop their fall.
Other times, people can break bones when they fall. Older employees are at particularly high risk of fracturing a bone in a same-level fall. Finally, workers are at risk of brain injuries if they hit their heads when they fall.
The injuries that workers sustain can force them to take weeks away from work or may leave them incapable of continuing to work in the same profession. They may need disability benefits to replace or supplement their wages. They may also require medical benefits to cover their care costs.
Workers’ compensation benefits can help employees afford medical treatment and replace their lost wages after they fall and get hurt. Recognizing that same-level falls can be serious can help workers respond appropriately after an incident at work.