While the pay may be good and the work simple, warehouse work is often very tiresome, with long hours and typically few breaks, but there’s a great deal of demand for the work, so many people are taking the job. The major drawback that any employee should watch for is that warehouses are full of dangers even for the most experienced worker.
Many tired and inexperienced workers are highly likely to suffer from workplace injuries. Studies from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have shown that many warehouse workers suffer from injuries any given year, and every year this number increases with demand.
But, what are some common injuries seen in a warehouse? Here’s what you should know:
Forklift inexperienced
Inexperience is typically the biggest cause of any kind of injury, especially workplace injuries. Warehouse workers typically have to have a license to maneuver forklifts, but that doesn’t mean everyone does. To get their job, some employees may alter facts about their forklift training, leading them to get behind the wheel of a dangerous piece of machinery, which can put them and others in danger.
A forklift injury can be much like any vehicle injury: cuts, bruises, concussions, whiplash or spinal injuries. However, because of the two prongs jutting out the front of the forklift, these useful tools can quickly become dangerous weapons. These prongs can easily impale victims and sever limbs, leading to life-long medical conditions and fatalities.
Hazardous material
On any given day, most warehouse workers don’t know what they’re transporting, however, they do have some indication of which shipments are hazardous, flammable or contain liquids. When dealing with these kinds of shipments, workers have to have a delicate hand. If a package is punctured or broken, there may be consequences, such as exposure to toxic liquids or fires.
There’s often no telling what can happen in a warehouse. No matter what happens, workers who are injured on the job should know about their workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ comp may give injured workers the chance to recover from their injuries and return to work.