Industrial Injury Lawyers

What Causes an Industrial Accident?

Some workplaces may be dangerous settings or involve inherently hazardous work. This is especially true if it is an industrial environment. Many factors may lead to a worker getting hurt, from incorrectly lifting heavy objects to improperly handling harmful chemicals or materials. Below, we’ll outline some of the more common workplace accidents stemming from environmental hazards, mechanical hazards, and human error.

Environmental Causes of Accidents

In these cases, the work environment itself causes accidents to occur. The factors contributing to an accident may be artificial (like poor workplace design) or natural. Common causes of these accidents include:

• Low visibility or poor lighting – This may cause workplace injuries such as trips, slips, falls or equipment accidents.
• Ambient temperature – A too-cold environment may lead to hypothermia or frostbite, while a too-hot workplace may cause employees to overheat.
• Air pollution – A workplace with air pollution or poor ventilation may cause breathing issues and respiratory conditions in employees.
• Sound pollution – Workers’ hearing can be damaged by loud sounds or high noise levels in a workplace.

Mechanical Causes of Industrial Accidents

Equipment or machine breakdown or failure are mechanical causes of industrial accidents. These accidents are often preventable when proper safety procedures are in place and equipment is regularly maintained.
Industrial accidents often occur because of the following mechanical causes:

• Broken or defective machine – If a manufacturer uses sub-standard metal for equipment, parts may easily become damaged or broken.
• Power failure – Power failures may lead to accidents when equipment suddenly shuts down or the lights go out.
• Explosion or fire – An explosion or mechanical fire can start from something as small as a spark or a cooling failure.
• Wear and tear – Machine parts begin to wear down with age and use. This leads to an increased risk of an accident.

Accidents Due to Human Error

Accidents directly related to the negligent actions of a worker, employer, or another individual are those that are caused by human error. Industrial accidents frequently involve the following human errors:

• Poor housekeeping – A dirty or unmaintained workspace may cause trips, slips, or falls or the breakdown of potentially dangerous machines or equipment.
• Fatigue and stress – A tired worker is more likely to be involved in an accident. Tired and stressed workers are more easily distracted or otherwise do not pay attention at all, which may lead to workplace-related injuries.
• Overexertion – The most common type of injury in the workplace is an overexertion injury. This happens when a worker lifts something too heavy or simply does more work than their body can handle.
• Dehydration – The body does not function properly without enough water. This is especially important for workers whose job tasks are performed mainly outdoors or require plenty of manual labor.
• Improper lifting – Workers who don’t use proper lifting techniques can suffer shoulder injuries and lower back strain often.