The statistics don’t lie: workplace injuries are becoming an increasingly common occurrence worldwide, with millions of people being injured every year while on the job. And while some countries have seen their rates drop significantly since 2010 (like Australia), others continue to see their numbers rise year after year (like Canada).
The causes of accidents in the workplace
There are many causes of workplace accidents, including:
Human error. This is the most common cause of workplace accidents and injuries, and it can happen for several reasons. For example, an employee may misread or misinterpret the instructions given by a supervisor or coworker; they might not pay attention to their surroundings while performing a task; or they might be inattentive while using machinery or equipment.
While most people do their best to avoid accidents at work, some individuals don’t take safety precautions seriously enough–or simply ignore them altogether out of carelessness or indifference–and this can lead directly to serious injuries or death.