5 Common Injuries in the Office Work Environment

If you think you’re less prone to workplace injuries because you work in an office from a comfy desk, it may be time to think again.

Industries like construction, healthcare, or manufacturing may be more exposed to workplace injuries because of the nature of their jobs, which often sees employees work with heavy equipment, or come in close contact with dangerous substances. However, the risk of injuries exists even in a cushy office environment.

Here are 5 common types of hazards found in a typical office environment:

1. Slip and Falls

You don’t have to fall from a big height to cause damage to your body. In the wrong circumstances, something as routine as going from your desk to the fridge to get your lunch can end badly if you trip on a wire and fall, leading to:

• Bruising
• Soft tissue damage
• Chipped tooth
• Fractures

2. Repetitive Stress

Repetitive stress occurs when you are performing the same physical activity for long hours, often in the same position. People who work in an office, at a desk, can suffer a repetitive stress injury in their hands as they use a mouse from a computer.

You are almost constantly holding your arm in the same position, and using the same muscles to perform the action. These injuries form over a long-time, so you may not be aware that they are even linked to your job initially. However, you can prevent them by taking frequent breaks to relax.

3. Air Quality

The air you breathe can either keep you healthy, or make you sick, and considering you’re in the same office at least 8 hours a day, air quality is an issue you should be concerned about.

And it’s not about if your office is stuffy and needs to have a window open. Sometimes, air quality can be so bad that the building should be closed for a while, like in the case of mold, or harsh cleaning chemicals.

4. Fire Hazards

A faulty wire can spark a deadly flame in just a few seconds, and if your office is not up to code, that’s a big hazard you’re facing every day, maybe without realizing it.

Office fires can result from:

• Poor power cords
• Faulty appliances
• Rely too much on extension cords

5. Stress

Office environment may not be physically demanding, but a desk job can solicit too much of your headspace. If the job you have causes high levels of stress, you can experience both mental and physical issues as a result:

• Insomnia
• Anxiety, or irritability
• Lack of appetite
• Headaches
• Stomach aches
• Burnout

Have You Been Injured on the Job in Missouri?

Though you may not have a ‘high-risk’ job, it doesn’t mean worker’s comp laws don’t apply to you too. If you get injured at your office job, get in touch with an experienced St. Louis worker’s compensation lawyer for a free case evaluation, and find out what steps to take next.