Many people associate serious work injuries with workers employed in construction, manufacturing or other demanding physical jobs. It’s easy to forget that disabling injuries can occur in an office environment as well. Pain doesn’t distinguish between a roofer and a receptionist.
According to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, along with being the most common accident in an office, falls also are the top cause of disabling injuries for office workers. Reportedly, the likelihood of suffering a fall-related disabling injury is 2 to 2.5 times higher for office workers than for other workers.
Preventing and avoiding falls in the office
Walk smart! Be aware of your surroundings and make sure walkways are unobstructed. Walking while distracted by a mobile device can also cause painful accidents involving collisions with other people.
Opened it? Close it! If you open a file or desk drawer which extends into the path of others, close it afterward to prevent a fellow worker from tripping and falling.
Carpets, cords and wires, oh my! Offices are full of trip and fall hazards, such as loose carpets, electrical cords and wires for office machines and computers. Secure area rugs, repair damaged flooring and ensure that cords and wires are wrapped up and kept out of common walkways.
Use the right tool for the job. If you need to reach an overhead object, use a step stool or ladder instead of standing on an unstable office chair or another object.
Luckily, accidents like tripping and falling are generally preventable. You can help keep your office spaces safer and prevent falls by making sure spills are cleaned up immediately, equipment and supplies are kept stored safely out of the way, and by keeping walkways clear and easy to move through. Employers should also take appropriate fall prevention measures at their offices.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries after a fall at work, you may want to contact an experienced legal professional in St. Paul who can help protect your rights related to workers’ compensation. Such attorneys can help office workers understand and pursue their options when difficulties or complications come up in connection to workers’ comp claims.