Employees have a right to a safe working environment. No matter what industry you work in, there’s always the possibility of being injured. Workers need to know the most common workplace injuries and how to claim compensation for them. In this blog, we look at the most common serious claim injuries according to Safe Work Australia, so you know what injuries you can claim compensation for.
Most Common Causes of Serious Claim Injuries:
1. Body Stressing
Body stress injuries are also referred to as repetitive stress injuries or repetitive motion injuries. These often result from repetitive or sustained physical activities that put a strain on the musculoskeletal system. This can include lifting heavy objects, adopting poor posture, or performing repetitive motions.
Body stress injuries accounted for almost a third of serious claims in 2021-22p. Some common injuries that come under body stress injuries are upper & lower back injuries and tendinitis in shoulders and knees. Understanding proper lifting techniques, ergonomic workstations, and incorporating regular breaks can significantly reduce the risk of body stressing injuries.
2. Falls, Trips, and Slips
Injuries caused by falls, trips, and slips constitute a significant portion of workplace injuries. Slippery or uneven surfaces, wet floors, and cluttered walkways can contribute to these accidents. Around 22% of serious claims in 2021-22p were caused by workers falling or tripping.
Prevention involves maintaining a clean and organised workspace, using warning signs, and providing proper training for navigating potential hazards. Using appropriate footwear is also crucial for slip prevention.
3. Being Hit by Moving Objects
Injuries resulting from being struck by moving objects can occur in various work settings. They’re most common in manual labour workplaces such as construction sites and manufacturing plants. This type of injury can include being hit by tools, vehicles and machinery.
Implementing safety protocols, such as using personal protective equipment (PPE) and providing adequate training on equipment operation can help reduce the risk of employees being injured by moving objects.
4. Mental Stress
Workplace psychological injuries can greatly impact the mental health and overall well-being of workers. Factors such as excessive workload, workplace bullying, or lack of support can contribute to mental stress. These injuries can be difficult to claim compensation for as the worker must show evidence that the mental injury is work-related.
Mental stress compensation claims comprised 8.5% of total serious claims in 2021-22p. However, mental stress claims for women were more than twice as common (12.5%) than for men (6.0%).
Promoting a positive work culture, offering mental health resources, and fostering open communication channels can contribute to preventing mental stress-related injuries. Educating employees on recognising and addressing mental health issues is also crucial.
Claiming Workers’ Compensation for Workplace Injuries
Employees need to be aware of the common workplace injuries they can claim compensation for. Claiming workers’ compensation can be a complicated process. This is why it’s best to get expert advice from a workplace injury lawyer. Anvil Legal’s workers’ compensation lawyers can help you understand your rights and obligations specific to your workplace injury. Contact us today to have your claim reviewed by our qualified lawyers.
*Data taken from Safe Work Australia: Australian Workers’ Compensation Statistics 2021-22.