A hard worker is a great worker. This may be true, but sometimes the harder one works, the more likely he or she will experience overexertion. According to the National Safety Council (NSC) “overexertion is the third leading cause of unintentional injuries in the United States, accounting for about 3.3 million emergency room visits.” Not to mention, a leading cause for employees to file for workers compensation.

Overexertion may affect employees differently, but the most common injuries are strains and sprains in the lower back. Overexertion may occur due to excessive physical effort. This may include: carrying, pulling, holding, lowering, turning, lifting, pushing, etc.

While some injuries may be unavoidable, overexertion can be prevented. Here are a few pieces of advice to follow:

• Limit the amount of weight you carry;

• Keep tools on the job in good condition;

• If a tool is broken, do not use it. Too many people overcompensate due to a worn or broken tool.

• Avoid working in an awkward position;

• Use proper position, especially when lifting;

• Avoid repetitive movements for a long period of time;

• Take short but frequent breaks to give your body and muscles time to recover;

• Always stretch or warm up before heavy lifting;

• Bend your knees and lift with your legs, not your back;

• Never twist or bend your back while lifting;

If you are a business owner, it is best to pass along this information to your workers. Maybe you can provide employees with a mandatory safety seminar to address the issue of overexertion. Whatever you choose to do, you can be sure that you will be lowering the risk of injuries, accidents and claims. The fewer claims made, the lower your workers compensation premium will remain.

If you are more concerned about your workers comp, do not hesitate to contact our Massachusetts insurance agency. We would be happy to discuss ways you can keep the cost of workers compensation low and would love to provide you with a free quote!