Work-related injuries occur despite the precautions taken by the employer and the employees themselves. Although some workplace injuries may be mild, there are others that can lead to trauma, financial losses, rehabilitation, and mental stress.
The workman injury compensation Minnesota provides benefits to employees who suffered workplace injuries, while at the same time, limiting the liability of the employers. It is a no-fault system, which requires neither the employee nor the employer to prove who is at fault or negligent.
Before we go further into how the workman injury compensation Minnesota balances both the employees’ and the employers’ interests, we will take a look at the leading causes of injuries in the workplace.
Overexertion
Overexertion is one of the most common causes of workplace injuries. It’s separated into two types:
- Non-impact injuries
- Repetitive motion
Non-impact Injuries
Handling, pushing, carrying, pushing, turning, and lifting injuries are mostly due to the incorrect posture of the employee who is attempting to carry some weight. This injury can cause long-term pain and issues with the spine, back, or neck.
The occurrence of this injury, which may initiate claims for workman injury compensation in Minnesota, can be reduced in two ways: through the introduction or installation of equipment that minimizes the need for manual lifting, and through proper training on how to lift and carry.
If manual lifting is necessary in the workplace, employers should invest time to train their employees on proper lifting to prevent chronic injuries.
Repetitive Motion
These microtasks are not strenuous activities in and of themselves, unlike the previous classification. Over time, however, these can result in pain, strain, or stress on some body parts due to repetitive motions. An example is carpal tunnel syndrome.
Trips, Slips, or Falls
These are some common causes of falls in the workplace:
- Inappropriate shoes, also worn-out or ill-fitting shoes
- A natural tendency towards falling, which may also be due to medical factors
The workplace or environmental factors include:
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Slippery flooring
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Wet floors
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Lack of proper lighting and warning signs
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High-traffic areas
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Disorganized or untidy surroundings
Prevention Tips:
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Require employees to wear proper protective gear at all times.
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Recognize people with special needs and make reasonable adjustments to prevent accidents.
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Warn employees against risky activities.
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Select low-risk flooring and surfaces
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Ensure workplaces are dry, clean, and organized.
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Hallways and accident-prone areas should have sufficient lighting and signs.
Moving Objects
An industrial workplace setting has a number of objects moving at certain times. Employees struck by a moving object constitute a substantial number of workplace-related accidents. Vehicles, equipment, and uncontrolled tools are just some of the causes of this injury that may justify a claim for workman injury compensation in Minnesota. Injuries caused by contact with equipment result in cuts, punctures, or lacerations.
Prevention Tips:
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Ensure that the people operating machinery and equipment are always properly trained and fit for work.
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Require employees who operate and work near machines to wear personal protective equipment at all times.
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Follow the equipment’s regular maintenance schedules and hours of continuous operation.
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Institute a buddy system so that another employee can look after the machine operator and their surroundings.
Violence
Violence and other physical injuries caused by persons or animals do not make up the majority of workplace injuries, but they do still happen. Although these injuries may be inflicted by fellow employees, those at higher risk are the employees assigned to community and field operations, such as security guards, delivery personnel, and dining staff.
Prevention Tips:
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Take immediate action and provide counseling when employees exhibit violent tendencies
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Train employees on handling high-risk situations and people
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Provide additional safeguards that will reduce employees’ exposure to highly emotional customers.
Falls from a High Places
Although quite similar to a previously mentioned cause of injury, this refers to falling to a lower level while the previous injury refers to falling to the same level. Employees who are required to work using scaffoldings, ladders, and similar equipment are the most at risk of suffering this injury. Depending on the height and impact of the fall, and on the position of the body at impact, the employee may suffer bruises, internal bleeding, fractures, dislocations, or organ damage.
Prevention Tips:
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Install safety devices that prevent or cushion the impact during falls.
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Train the employees on proper equipment use.
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Ensure that all equipment is regularly maintained and checked.
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Assign an employee to look out for the employee on the scaffolding or ladder.
Hazardous Materials
The presence of hazardous materials in the workplace contributes to risks of workplace-related accidents that result in workman injury compensation Minnesota claims. Employees in manufacturing industries that handle chemical products are the most at risk, although hazardous products may be present in almost any company that requires them for cleaning and maintenance.
These chemicals can cause injuries to the skin, nasal passages, eyes and other mucous membranes. Worst case scenarios can lead to suffocation or chronic organ disorders.
Prevention Tips:
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Hazardous materials should have designated storage, which complies with the required storage conditions.
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Employees handling these products should be properly trained and should be given regular refresher training.
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Provide employees with suitable personal protective equipment.
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Train employees on how to respond to emergency cases involving these materials.
Conclusion
Workplace-related injuries are the result of a number of factors involving the personnel, the equipment, and the surroundings. Using preventative measures, employers can mitigate these risks.
In case a workplace-related accident has already occurred, Minnesota worker’s scompensation can help determine the benefits for the employees and the limits of the employers’ liabilities.
For more information on workman’s injury compensation in Minnesota, ask for legal advice from Osterbauer Minnesota Injury Law Firm.
