Falls from significant heights, falling objects and motor vehicle accidents are all well–known types of workplace accidents. While the severity of these issues should not be downplayed, it is important to understand that many men and women in New Jersey suffer serious workplace injuries for different reasons, too. Fatigue and violence are both big contributors to worker injuries, but not everyone is aware of the dangers.
Being pushed too hard
Employers who push their employees to take on workloads beyond their reasonable physical or mental limit are putting them at risk for fatigue. Fatigue may present either physically or mentally and can make a worker feel overly exhausted. A fatigued worker has a higher chance of being involved in a serious accident since it can cause:
- Delayed reactions to emergencies
- Inattention to instructions and details
- Impaired judgment
- Slowed motor vehicle or machinery operation
Dealing with violence
Measures to limit access to unauthorized individuals is increasingly common in many workplaces. Unfortunately, this may not have done much to limit the impact of workplace violence. Workplace violence can and often does come from coworkers, although other common perpetrators of violence include:
- Disgruntled former employees
- Spouses
- Strangers
Whether minor or traumatic, workplace injuries can have a lasting impact on a person’s life. Victims in New Jersey often have to take time off work to recover, creating a gap in their income despite having medical bills that they need to pay. This can put a great deal of stress on someone who is supposed to be focusing on recovery, although many find that workers’ compensation benefits can help address the financial side of this issue.