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Top 10 Culprits for Lost-Time Injuries in 2000

What type of hazards are most likely to cause costly lost-time injuries? These were the main culprits in 2000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

  1. Floors and walkways--leading to slips and falls.
  2. Worker motions or positions--leading to repetitive motion disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, back injuries and being caught by, against or between equipment.
  3. Containers--which can lead to lifting problems, back injuries and other injuries caused by being struck by objects.
  4. Parts and materials--handling these objects can lead to overexertion, sprains and strains.
  5. Vehicles--73,000 transportation crashes occurred in 2000, plus forklift mishaps can involve pedestrians being hit and drivers caught between equipment and containers.
  6. Machinery--causes many injuries, including amputations, where operators are caught in equipment or struck by objects.
  7. Tools and instruments--mishandling can result in cuts and lacerations, bruises and contusions, and sprains and strains.
  8. Healthcare patients--Overexertion in lifting is a big problem when moving patients in and out of bends.
  9. Furniture and fixtures--heavy lifting and contact injuries are common when handling these objects.
  10. Chemicals--exposures to harmful substances can lead to burns and eye and hand injuries.

All of these hazards and their potential consequences are good topics for training sessions.