An accident is one of the worst things that can happen in an industrial workplace. Not only does it scare other workers, but it can also cause a heavy financial burden for the company.

Common Causes of Industrial Accidents

An accident is one of the worst things that can happen in an industrial workplace. Not only does it scare other workers, but it can also cause a heavy financial burden for the company. Most of the time, accidents can be prevented even in scenarios where the workplace is inherently hazardous. There are plenty of different factors that go into how or why an accident might occur in the workplace, and employers must be diligent about all of them.

Workplace safety is incredibly important for employee morale and the overall productivity of your company or business. This is why it’s imperative that employers don’t cut corners when it comes to protecting employees from hazards. In this article, we’ll cover the most common causes of industrial workplace accidents and how employers and employees alike can help prevent them from happening in their own workspaces.

Common Causes of Workplace Accidents

First and foremost, workplace accidents in industrial settings are usually caused by poor safety regulations and unsafe equipment. Safe workplaces create better business practices, so it’s important to emphasize safety among workers, especially in industrial environments.

There’s a reason that there are laws about safety regulations in the workplace. Workers should be able to do their jobs in a manner that doesn’t risk their life or bodily injury. Making workers aware of regulations and ensuring that they stick to the rules when it comes to using equipment and safety gear plays a huge role in protecting workers.

More health and safety regulations in the workplace mean saving more workers from the potential physical, financial, medical, and mental burdens that an injury might cause. Problems in the workplace need to be addressed before a worker becomes hurt or ill, so taking a proactive approach rather than a reactive approach to safety is crucial.

How Industrial Accidents Happen

There are a variety of factors at play in industrial workplaces that can contribute to the potential for injury or harm to occur. Some of these factors are environmental in nature while others are due to human error. Here is an overview of the different causes that might be affecting your workplace.

Environmental Factors

Environmental causes are one of the main factors when it comes to injury or illness in the industrial workplace. Some employers might not even be aware that these factors are contributing to poor work safety. For instance, poor lighting in a workplace can lead to a higher probability of slips, trips, and falls. Additionally, if the workplace is too hot or too cold, workers can suffer from overheating or hypothermia. Sound and air pollution can also be a problem that an employer might be overlooking.

Mechanical Factors

A common cause of a lot of workplace accidents is mechanical factors. This refers to the breakdown and failure of equipment being used on-site. Injuries caused by mechanical issues are some of the easiest to address and prevent in an industrial workplace. Purchasing quality machinery is the first step to saving employees from accidents. Poorly built equipment is more likely to become faulty. Additionally, to prevent injury due to common wear and tear to a piece of equipment, you’ll want to practice routine cleaning and maintenance of all machinery.

Human Error

Human error is a huge factor in why workplace injuries and illnesses take place. While we are all human and we all make mistakes, some workers are better prepared for potential hazards than others. This is why it’s so important to emphasize safety among workers. This means making sure your employees keep workspaces clean and clear of debris, and showing workers how to properly operate machinery and use safety equipment.

While we can’t guarantee that there will be absolutely no injuries in your workplace, having the proper training and resources available to your workers goes a long way. If you show your workers that you care about their health and safety, they will take more interest in staying safe on the job.

Is it the Company’s Responsibility to Prevent all Accidents at Work?

In the United States, under OSH law, employers must provide a safe workplace. For further elaboration on what constitutes a “safe workplace,” you’ll find these requirements listed on the US Department of Labor’s website:

Comply with standards, rules, and regulations listed under the OSH Act
Examine workplace conditions to conform to OSHA standards
Ensure employees have access to safe equipment
Establish, update, and communicate operating procedures
Provide safety training to employees
Keep records of workplace illnesses and injuries
Report workplace injuries and illnesses promptly
Inform employees of their rights and responsibilities

These are just a few of the many different responsibilities that employers have in terms of protecting their employees from hazards in the workplace. It is the employer’s responsibility to keep the workplace up to OSHA standards. The consequences of not doing so can be grave. Not only does the risk for injury and illness go up, but employers who are found liable for these types of accidents will suffer financially in a multitude of ways.

How to Prevent Industrial Accidents

We’ve already told you about how you can take steps in the workplace to prevent accidents from occurring in industrial settings, but there’s still more that you can do. One of the biggest issues when it comes to working in industrial environments like factories and warehouses is the lack of private space.

Being able to section off different parts of a workspace can do a lot to keep your employees safe. This is why we are so passionate about creating industrial barrier safety products here at Singer Safety. We’ve been in this business since 1950, and we even spearheaded the call to address workplace noise pollution back in the 1950s and 60s.

Take a look at our website if you’re interested in learning about how barriers can create a better workplace for everyone. If you have any questions regarding health and safety in the workplace, industrial accidents, or the different types of barrier protection we produce, don’t hesitate to contact us today.