Compared to warehouses, construction sites and factories, offices are not that dangerous. But, they are not that safe also. Although office accident claims are mostly minor, there are many different types of accidents and hazards which office workers are exposed to. There are many different types of accidents which office workers get involved in and sustain injuries ranging from minor bruising to serious head injuries and broken bones.
In this article, we will look at some of the common types of office accidents which can give rise to potential office injury claims.
Slips and Trips
In an office environment, slips and trips accidents are very common. Some of the common causes of these accidents in offices include trailing wires from electrical equipments such as computers, boxes and files left lying on the floor, spillages on the floor and damaged carpets.
To prevent office accidents from taking place, employers must ensure that risk assessments are carried out and measures are adopted to minimise the risks. If employers fail to keep the office clear from clutter, repair damaged flooring or take other preventative measures, they will be held responsible for injuries taking place due to their negligence. They will even have to pay for legal costs arising out of office injury claims.
Burn Injuries and Shocks
Offices usually contain equipments like printers, computers, photocopy machines, scanners, fax machines, shredders and a range of other equipments and appliances. If these equipments are not in good working order, they can cause injuries to the workers. Accidents caused by using defective electrical equipment can result in burn injuries and electrocution.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Gas appliances such as gas fires and central heating boilers used in offices must be maintained properly. If they are not, they can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Manual Handling Accidents
Even office workers may be required to perform manual handling tasks from time to time. If they don’t receive adequate training on how to perform these tasks safely, it is likely that they can get involved in manual handling accidents. Lifting heavy objects such as office equipments without proper training can result in back injuries and crush injuries.
Falls from Heights
Not very common, but sometimes, office workers may be required to perform work at height. This can either include working on ladders or standing on office furniture to reach files or objects which are located on high shelves. If you have suffered injuries as a result of falls from height due to the negligence of your employer, you may be able to pursue an injury claim for compensation.