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Preventing workplace falls

On Behalf of | Jan 30, 2015 | Workplace Injuries

Workers in New Jersey should beware of falls in the workplace and should pay attention to safety information regarding their prevention. While injuries from falls are more prevalent in some industries than others, anyone can slip in a cluttered hallway and sustain a serious injury from falling.

In addition to clutter, falls may also be caused by slippery floors and poorly positioned ladders. The construction industry has the highest incidence of fatal falls, but other occupations including health care and building maintenance record a high number of injuries from falls as well.

Misuse of ladders and other fall prevention equipment, holes in floors and walls, and unprotected edges are other leading causes of workplace falls. Despite federal and industry regulations, many workplaces simply do not have a strong safety culture. As a result, job site falls cost billions of dollars each year for medical expenses and workers’ compensation in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that falls accounted for 605 workplace deaths and over 212,000 workplace injuries in 2009 alone. Falls are a serious problem for both workers and employers, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is working to reduce the number of falls through a variety of progams.

An individual who is injured at work in a fall may wish to contact an attorney for advice. Filing for workers’ compensation can seem complicated, and the worker may be concerned about a denial or anxious for the process to move efficiently in order to have the medical and other bills that might be accumulating taken care of. The assistance of legal counsel can be important in ensuring that the claim is filed properly and in a timely manner.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Fall Injuries Prevention in the Workplace”, accessed on Jan. 25, 2015

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