Workplaces have become increasingly safer over the past few decades as a result of the introduction of better safety protocols aimed at protecting employees and ensuring they don’t become injured. However, the place where you work can still be dangerous for your health and well-being sometimes, meaning that extra precautions are often necessary. In the United States, there were 5,333 fatal workplace injuries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the UK, between 2022 and 2023, 135 employees lost their lives as a result of occupational hazards, with construction, agriculture, fishing, forestry and manufacturing being the sectors with the highest number of accidents.
Preventing these accidents is naturally the most important thing, but it is also crucial to learn more about treatment and recovery options so that in the event that you do become injured, you know exactly what you need to do to get better and get your life back on track.
Biological hazards
Depending on the setting of your workplace, the most common dangers you’re likely to deal with are of a biological nature. Zoos, hospitals, clinics and other medical offices, including veterinary clinics, as well as farms, carry the risk of exposure to biological hazards such as blood and other bodily fluids, viruses, bacteria, insect bites, and fungi. Some pathogens can be airborne and spread through aerosols, making workers ill via inhalation. Using the adequate personal protective equipment and adhering to strict hygiene rules will remove much of the danger and is often enough to prevent infection.
If you become sick as a result of someone else’s negligence in following protocols, you should start a compensation claim that will allow you to get the maximum amount of remuneration depending on the extent of your health damage. In many cases, you can also request additional compensation to make up for the financial difficulties you may have incurred as a result of mounting financial bills, loss of earnings or both.
Chemical hazards
Being exposed to potentially dangerous chemicals doesn’t only occur if you work with them directly. Environmental smoke and cleaning products are common indoor air pollutants in many office spaces, while carbon monoxide, flammable liquids, pesticides, acids, corrosive or reactive substances, as well as explosive compounds, are more likely to be present in industries that use them as raw materials. Some of the most common examples are:
- Gasoline which can cause dizziness, headaches and nervous system issues in severe cases
- Methanol ingestion or inhalation leads to the same symptoms, as well as nausea and even damage to the optic nerve.
- Detergents cause dermatitis following prolonged exposure.
- Pesticides come with several health risks, like eye and skin irritation, respiratory issues and neurological problems.
- Welding fumes can lead to coughing and irritation, as well as chronic illness and lung damage in those who are routinely exposed to them.
- The accumulation of heavy metals inside the body has far-reaching effects on the body, including organ and neurological damage.
- Exposure to paint fumes contributes to air pollution as well as vision problems, headaches and lung irritation.
Physical hazards
If you spend plenty of time working outside, you’ll need to shield yourself from the sun. Wearing sunblock and sun-protective clothing will minimise the likelihood of developing heat exhaustion or its much more severe cousin, heat stroke. Symptoms of the former will typically include:
- Sweating and a quickened pulse.
- Fatigue.
- Low blood pressure when standing up and muscle cramps.
In the case of heat stroke, the signs are somewhat similar but more intense, and the patient’s condition worsens much faster. Altered mental status is standard, and loss of consciousness can occur. Seizures, incredibly high body temperature and hot skin are typical signs, and treatment needs to be prompt to maximise the chances of survival.
Apart from that, prolonged exposure to sunlight has been linked to the development of chronic skin illness. Those working in cold conditions are also at risk of injury. Frostnip is the milder form, typically affecting areas more likely to be directly exposed to the cold, like the cheeks, nose, fingers, toes and ears. You’ll most likely experience the feeling of pins and needles, as well as aching or throbbing, with discolouration being common.
Make sure to wear clothes that are warm enough and which can protect you from environmental conditions. Don’t wear garments if they’ve become wet. Remove them as soon as possible and move to a warm and dry environment. Changing your socks frequently can also prevent damage to the feet, a condition colloquially referred to as trench foot. Rewarming should be done using warm water rather than hot to avoid the risk of burns.
Your physician may prescribe gels or ointments to reduce discomfort and inflammation. Frostbite is the more severe condition in which the blood vessels and nerves are affected as well. Apart from the numbness and tingling, frostbite sufferers will also experience more pain and stiffness, as well as skin discolouration that can leave the skin blue, purple or grown. After rewarming the skin, blisters are likely to form. Protecting the skin from further damage is crucial, and avoiding direct heat, such as from heating pads, stoves, or fireplaces, is essential as it can lead to burns.
Ergonomics
Offices are often regarded as incredibly safe places since you are not exposed to extreme conditions or hazardous substances by working at a desk. However, spending most of your day seated at a desk will put strain on your body. In many cases, you won’t notice any symptoms until the damage to your bones and joints is quite advanced. Soreness, stiffness, and muscle cramps are the most common symptoms, and they are typically exacerbated by poor posture.
Sitting in awkward positions for extended times may also start to feel comfortable after a while, while an adequate posture is the one that causes discomfort, meaning that you’ll have little incentive to stop slouching. Completing the same movements repeatedly, such as typing, will also weaken the joints, leading to conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Make sure that your desk and chair allow you to sit comfortably to minimise the risk of injury, and remember to take frequent breaks during which you move around or stretch a bit. Physical therapy, workouts that strengthen your core muscles and improve your balance and rest are the most common treatments in this case, but surgical intervention is sometimes necessary.
While workplaces have become safer over the years, there are still many perils to consider. Being aware of these dangers will allow you to prevent them and have a quicker recovery.
