Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
While construction workers and other employees working with heavy machinery have high rates of workplace injury, many people are surprised to find office workers in Homestead and other communities also sustain on-the-job injuries with some frequency.
There are several reasons why office work can lead to injuries:
- Workers may repeat tasks (such as typing) for long periods of time, which can lead to repetitive strain injuries
- The stress of office work can lead to violence and some office workers (such as those working in tax offices) may be vulnerable to outside aggression from clients and customers
- Stairs and ramps can pose slip and fall or trip and fall accidents
- Machinery such as photocopiers, printers, and computers can overheat or can lead to chemical exposure
- Office workers may have a sedentary life if they need to spend many hours at their desk and this can make them more vulnerable to injury and illness
- Older office buildings can have lead paint, asbestos, and other environmental hazards
- Most offices need to store printer toners, files, books, and other materials which can fall on workers if stored incorrectly on high shelves
- Workers may not realize the risks of their workplace and may be less cautious during everyday tasks
Preventing Injury
Office workers sustain many serious injuries, including fractures, chemical exposure, soft-tissue injuries, and more. If you are an office worker, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk:
- Get training. Even if you don’t think your job has many hazards, it has some and quality training can help you reduce your risk.
- Work on your core strength. Get fit, since a strong core can help you prevent some injury.
- Break up tasks. If you need to type for long periods of time, consider switching between typing and dictation software (if possible) to give your hands a break. Or, break up tasks so you reduce your risk of repetitive strain injury. Use a timer to give yourself frequent breaks to stretch and move around.
- Make sure your office furniture is a good fit. Get an ergonomic chair and a desk you can adjust to your correct height. Adjust your work station monitor so you do not have to look down or strain your neck looking up. Better yet, get an adjustable desk and also a standing or bicycle or treadmill desk, if possible, so you can move between sitting, standing, and moving throughout your day.
- Get enough rest. You are more likely to make mistakes at your workplace if you are fatigued.
- Speak up. Your workplace should have basic safety precautions in place. If you notice problems such as spills on the floor, broken tiles, broken railings, poor lighting, unsecured doors, or any other problems, report them. Follow up to ensure they are fixed.
If you have been injured in your office, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation or you may have a legal claim. Compensation can help you replace lost income and can help you pay for medical costs while you recover.
If you have been injured and would like to know more about your rights, call Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) to arrange a free, no obligation consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney. Our law firm has decades of combined experience and has helped injured people like you recover millions for their injuries.