May 13, 2021
What Are Some Common Injuries Sustained in Warehouses?
Warehouse environments are often fast-paced hubs of activity and full of hazards. When employers and supervisors fail to take action and prevent these hazards from popping up, workers are at risk of sustaining certain on-the-job injuries. Below, we discuss some of the common work accidents and injuries that can result in warehouse workplaces.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, but certain hazards in warehouses can increase the risk of them occurring in these environments. Slippery floors due to water or residue grease are a common source of slips. Others may occur due to uneven floors, dissimilar floor surfaces, accumulations of debris, excess inventory, or cords lying around.
Workers can also fall from ladders, loading docks, or other elevated structures. As you can imagine, the injuries that result from these accidents can vary, but oftentimes lead to back injuries, shoulder injuries, knee injuries, ligament tears, or even traumatic brain injuries.
Forklift Accidents
Warehouse forklifts are a type of commonly used lift truck that are essential for helping workers move, life, or lower loads that are too heavy for humans to move safely. They can be controlled by either walking operators or riders. Unfortunately, they are often a source of worker injuries or fatalities within warehouses.
Such incidents can occur due to poor training, unsafe operation, crowded facilities, or poorly maintained equipment. As a result, workers can be crushed by overturned forklifts, pinned against other objects, or hit by falling objects.
Overexertion Injuries
Overexertion injuries in warehouses are often related to lifting injuries, which can result in serious damage to a worker’s spine, neck, shoulders, and lower back. Other injuries that may result include herniated discs, rotator cuff injuries, overstretched muscles, and torn ligaments—all of this can lead to ongoing and debilitating pain.
Lack of proper training, improper lifting techniques, or lack of proper lifting equipment can all lead to overexertion injuries.
Injured at Work?
Every warehouse worker has the right to a safe working environment and should be able to rely on their employer to mitigate hazards and prevent on-the-job injuries. With that said, accidents can happen at any time—especially when large companies fail to take steps to prevent them.
Should you sustain an on-the-job injury while working in a warehouse, Hansford McDaniel – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys is ready to stand in your corner and help you get your life back on track. We have the skills, experience, and knowledge of the law you need to obtain maximum benefits.
Don’t handle your workers’ comp case when you don’t have to. Contact our Atlanta workers’ compensation attorneys at 770-922-3660 to speak with our legal team for free today.
