Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Warehouse worker injuries, fatalities increasing

On Behalf of | Jun 10, 2021 | Work Injuries

When you make your living working in a California warehouse, the job’s physical demands may begin to wreak havoc on your body. As Americans become more focused on e-commerce and the number of people making purchases online increases, so, too, does the number of warehouse workers suffering on-the-job injuries and fatalities.

Per EHS Today, the number of warehouse worker fatalities seen nationwide increased from 11 to 22 between 2015 and 2017. This raises questions about what employers should do to prevent injuries among their warehouse employees. The injury rate among warehouse workers is also high, with 5.1 workers sustaining on-the-job injuries for every 100 of them employed full-time.

Common causes of warehouse worker injuries

Some of the injuries suffered in warehouses are the result of heavy lifting or the other physical demands of the job. Many warehouse employers are also relying more and more on robots and motorized equipment, such as forklifts. Many warehouse injuries are also the result of warehouse workers struggling to use or work alongside this equipment.

Safety protocols that help protect warehouse workers

Your employer may be able to mitigate your injury risks to some degree by taking steps to reduce ergonomic stresses. Properly training you and others about how to use equipment correctly and lift safely is also important. Your employer should also instruct you about exit and aisle hazards, respiratory protection, electrical issues and similar possible sources of injury.

As online commerce grows in popularity, it becomes more critical that warehouse employers make every effort to reduce injuries and fatalities in their places of business.

Archives