Even Office Workers Are Vulnerable to Injuries

You may think that because you work in an office you aren’t prone to injuries the way construction workers and firefighters are. While it’s true you don’t have to worry about electrocution, burns, crushing accidents, and the like, there are still several hazards you need tomake yourself aware of in your office. This level of awareness can go a long way in helping to prevent unnecessary accidents and injuries.

Slip and Fall

There’s the potential for slip-and-fall accidents in practically every type of work environment, no matter how physically or mentally demanding. In an office setting, spills, moisture that’s been tracked in, rugs, and unmarked mopped floors can all lead to someone slipping, falling, and sustaining an injury. Be mindful of where you step in the office, and be sure to report, mark, or clean up any spills you see, so no one else injuries themselves.

Repetitive Stress Injury

Repeating the same motion over and over can also lead to a workplace injury. Speaking specifically of an office setting, carpal tunnel syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome are common. Typing for long periods of time and poor posture can contribute to both syndromes. That’s why it’s essential that you layout your workspace in a way that’s as ergonomic as possible, and that you take breaks every now and then to stretch your muscles. Otherwise, you may find yourself needing to reach out to Las Vegas workers comp lawyers.

Poor Indoor Air Quality

The air you’re breathing inside the office could be worse than the air outside, even if you live in a geographic area known for its poor air quality. Poorly maintained HVAC systems and clogged or dirty air filters can compromise the air you breathe while at work. If you have asthma or any other type of respiratory issue, your condition can worsen if you spend too much time breathing unsafe air. Employers need to stay on top of HVAC maintenance and take additional steps to ensure the air their employees breathe is as clear and clean as possible.

Overexertion and Straining

Lifting heavy objects in the workplace or using improper form while lifting objects can also lead to strains or overexertion. Because office workers usually aren’t properly trained on how to lift boxes and other objects the right way without harming themselves, they’re at greater risk of doing just that. For that reason, you should get into the habit of lifting with your legs rather than your back, ensuring you have a strong grip on the object you’re lifting, and asking for help with an object that’s too heavy.

Eye Strain

While you may have great posture sitting at your desk, you may strain your eyes focusing on your computer screen. It’s essential tonote that severe eye strain can lead to permanent eye damage, which requires surgery, expensive treatment, and/or expensive lenses. You can do your part to prevent eye strain by taking breaks every 20 minutes to look away from your screen to focus on an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

Don’t brush off any injuries you receive while on the clock. You should certainly do everything you can to avoid being injured at work, but you should also know when it’s time to hand your case over to a legal professional to help you file a workers comp claim.