Jobs Where Slip and Fall Injuries Are Common
One of the most common workplace accidents are slip and fall accidents. Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents can result in severe injuries that adversely affect a worker’s life. A slip and fall injury can make it challenging for someone to work and perform daily tasks. Slip and fall accidents, at times, lead to death. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), in 2021 alone, 850 workers died in work-related falls, and hundreds of thousands suffered injuries that required them to take days off of work. Every worker can get involved in a slip and fall accident while on the job and suffer injuries. However, some workers are at a higher risk of suffering slip and fall injuries than others. It is crucial to be aware of the jobs where slip and fall injuries are abundant. In this article, we discuss some of the jobs that present a higher risk of slip and fall accidents;
Construction Work
Construction workers are among the workers with the highest risk of suffering slip and fall injuries. A large percentage of construction injuries and fatalities involve slip and fall accidents. Several hazards at construction sites can cause slip and fall accidents. The following are some of the causes of slips and falls on construction sites;
- Unsafe ladders or stairs
- Debris
- Clutter
- Loose, unanchored flooring
- Improperly structured scaffolding
- Uneven surfaces
- Faulty equipment
- Lack of proper signage
- Weather conditions
- Holes
- Inadequate lighting
Healthcare Workers
Healthcare workers such as nurses and doctors are at a high risk of getting involved in slip and fall accidents due to wet or slippery floors. Wet or slippery floors are common in hospitals and healthcare facilities due to constant cleaning activities and spills. Healthcare workers can also get involved in slip and fall accidents due to other things, including;
- The nature of work. Healthcare professionals are always rushing to respond to emergencies and attend to patients
- Patient handling. Nurses and other healthcare workers can slip and fall when, for example, transferring or repositioning patients.
- Inadequate footwear that is not slip-resistant
Warehouse Workers
Warehouse workers are another category of workers at a higher risk of suffering slip and fall injuries. Warehouse workers can get involved in slip and fall accidents due to various reasons, including the following;
- Poor lighting
- Clutter or debris
- Tripping over boxes
- Inadequate warning signs
- Wet or slippery floors
- Footwear issues
In warehouses, slip and fall accidents can also happen when boxes or other obstacles obstruct the vision. When a worker’s vision is obstructed, they cannot see potential hazards on the ground, such as wet or slippery floors.
Restaurant Workers
Faced-paced environments and wet or greasy floors are just a few of the leading causes of slip and fall accidents among restaurant workers.
Painters
Painters work on elevated surfaces, scaffolding, or ladders. This increases their risk of being involved in slip and fall accidents.
Retail Workers
People who work in supermarkets or malls are also at a high risk of suffering slip and fall injuries. Crowding, spills, and wet floors are just a few of the leading causes of slip and fall accidents among retail workers.
You may be eligible to recover workers ‘ compensation benefits after suffering a slip and fall injury while on the job. A qualified attorney can help you through the workers’ compensation claims process.
Legal Help Is Available
Our qualified Vermont workers’ compensation attorney at Sluka Law PLC can help you in the event that you suffer a work-related slip and fall injury.
