Workplace injuries are not uncommon, as more than 100,00 nonfatal workplace injuries were reported in Illinois in 2021. The good news is that many workplace injuries can be prevented, but first, you have to know which workplace hazards exist in your line of work. Here are six of the most common workplace hazards and what to do if you’re injured at work.

1: Biological Hazards

This doesn’t apply to all workplaces in Chicago, but some workplaces will expose their workers to certain biological hazards. Biological hazards are dangerous substances that workers can come into contact with, such as:

• Bacteria and viruses
• Contaminated waste
• Pet and animal droppings

Of course, there should be certain safety procedures and cautions put in place in work environments like these to prevent an injury resulting from a biological hazard. However, accidents still do happen whether due to negligence on the part of the employee or the employer. 

2: Chemical Hazards

Chemical hazards at work are also limited to certain workplaces, but they can still exist in some of the most common workplaces. These are also dangerous substances that workers can come into contact with, such as:

• Dangerous liquids
• Cleaning supplies with harsh chemicals
• Harmful gasses

These chemicals can cause burns, skin irritation, and breathing problems if they’re handled incorrectly. As with biological hazards, workplaces that deal with chemical hazards daily have regulations put in place to ensure injury or death does not occur when handling them.

3: Electrical Hazards

The construction industry is more likely to see injuries from electrical hazards, but this doesn’t mean that other injuries can’t have them as well. Shocks and electrocution are possible for electricians, engineers, and others in the construction industry who work with electricity, but these individuals are highly skilled and know the safety procedures to follow when working with electricity. On the other hand, all workplaces use electricity and if they experience an electrical problem they can be at risk for an electrical hazard. This is why it’s important to always consult a professional when there’s an electrical issue.

4: Fires

Fire hazards can exist in any workplace that uses electricity, gas, or chemical substances— so this pretty much covers all workplaces. Fires can happen anywhere, but they can also be prevented. For fires that weren’t prevented, they can be extinguished when the right type of fire extinguisher is used. Unfortunately, not many people know that there are different types of fire extinguishers, so it’s also important to know the basics of fire safety.

5: Repetitive Motions

Most jobs are often repetitive, and repetitive motions can cause strains of certain muscles and joints. This can be hard to prevent, especially since the motion is necessary to perform the job. Fortunately, there are ergonomic solutions that can help lessen the negative effects of these repetitive motions. Allowing frequent breaks and rotations among different tasks can also help lessen the effects that repetitive motions have on the muscles and joints.

6: Slips, Trips, and Falls

Slips, trips, and falls are the most common workplace injury across a variety of industries. Slips and trips can occur when the floors are wet or installed improperly, or when there’s a lot of clutter on the ground— and both of these incidents can result in a fall. While not all falls result in an injury, some result in serious injuries or even death— especially if a person falls from a height (more common in construction). For this reason, it’s important to exercise extreme caution when working from a height and to make sure that the grounds of a workplace present no hazards.

What to do If You’re Injured at Work

If you’re injured at work through no fault of your own, you’re entitled to workers’ compensation which should be provided by your employer. Unfortunately, many employers are reluctant to pay compensation for their injured employees, and they may even claim that the injury was the employee’s fault. However, work injuries can result in temporary loss of wages, medical bills, ongoing care, and even permanent loss of wages if the injury leaves the employee unable to work or results in death. If you can’t get the compensation you’re entitled to, contact a personal injury lawyer in Chicago.

The bottom line is to do everything you can to make sure that you don’t expose yourself to any hazards that may be lurking around your workplace. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, but if you know you were careful and you’re still injured, you’ll be entitled to compensation for your injuries.