When you think about reasons why someone might file a Connecticut workers’ compensation claims you may think of things like a construction accident or a strain at a warehouse lifting something heavy. You would be right that a lot of injuries happen in these types of settings, but did you know that there is another setting that can be equally dangerous? This unexpected place for workplace injuries to happen is somewhere that a wide cross section of the population works and they even made a TV show about it. Of course we’re talking about The Office.
Yes, it is true that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 16% of all workplace injuries happen in an office. You may be thinking to yourself, but how, most offices don’t have ladders and scaffolding. Most offices don’t have heavy boxes to pick up and move. These statements are true, but they don’t account for the hazards that do exist in an office setting.
Injuries in the office can happen in the simplest ways. Overexertion for instance is one very common thing that can occur in an office that could leave someone out of work for an extended amount of time. While there may not be many heavy boxes or items to move around there are plenty of opportunities for someone who is working in an office to lift items, push or pull items and overexert themselves in the process.
Another major source of injury in the office is slips, trips and falls. This type of injury will often happen due to power cords and cables that are stretched across spaces where people are generally walking which can lead someone to become injured as the result of tripping over them. Other culprits here include things like uneven rugs and surfaces that occur when crossing from room to room.
With so many hazards in the office that are often not accounted for in general safety classes and documentation, how can you take steps to keep yourself safe when you’re working at a desk all day? Here are a few things you can do to make sure that no matter what you’re doing in your office you are safe and can remain free of injury.
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Take breaks throughout the day. Getting up and moving around and stretching can make the difference between a repetitive stress injury taking hold of your body or you making it through your day with little to no pain. A simple walk around the desks in your office or outside in a small piece of open space should do the trick here.
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In the event that your job requires you to lift or move heavy objects you should do so carefully and not overexert yourself. If you are not able to lift what is being asked of you, you should speak with your supervisor to see if there are some accommodations that can be made so you do not have to cause yourself injury.
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Report any unsafe working conditions to your supervisor. These types of things can range from uneven surfaces, cords being a hazard in walking paths or wet floors in a bathroom or kitchen, among other things. If your supervisor does not know about it she/he can’t do anything about it. Alert them as soon as you see a hazard to make sure it is taken care of in a timely manner.
It is hard to believe that given the lack of physicality needed to work in an office, so many people often report injuries and need to file a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim due to the type of injury sustained at work. The good news is that there are steps you can take to be aware of your surroundings and put yourself in a good position to avoid injury and stay safe while you’re working in an office.
When injuries do occur you may need to speak with someone who has an experienced background to help you with your situation. Contact our office and one of our board certified attorneys will speak with you about how you can help protect your long-term interests.
