Common mistakes by coworkers that lead to serious accidents

Your place of employment should be safe. Yet even employers who provide safeguards against common workplace dangers can still have issues that come up that lead to workplace injuries. If you’ve been injured on the job, then you know all too well the harm that can be caused.

While you’ll certainly have physical and emotional pain and suffering and the need for medical care, there’s also a good chance that you’ll be unable to work to earn the wages that you need. All of this can leave you in a dire financial predicament.

And there are several ways that workplace accidents can occur. Many of them arise when coworkers act in ways that create dangerous situations. But how, specifically, can human error lead to workplace injuries?

Coworker mistakes that can lead to workplace injuries

Human error leads to workplace accidents all the time. And if you’re not careful, you could get caught up in one of these instances, leaving you injured. Here are some common coworker mistakes that you need to be on the lookout for in your place of employment:

1. Being tired and fatigued: Workers who are tired and fatigued on the job are much more likely to make a mistake that results in injuries given that their attention is oftentimes depleted. Those tired workers who operate vehicles and heavy machinery are especially dangerous. This can be even more problematic for those who carry excessive workloads and work long hours.
2. Using tools for which they’re unqualified to operate: It takes a lot of training and experience to properly use dangerous tools and equipment in the workplace. But staffing shortages have forced many unqualified workers to engage in activities that are beyond their skills. When this happens and it involves heavy or otherwise dangerous equipment, you can be put in harm’s way.
3. Failing to assess their surroundings: All too often workers are struck by forklifts or have heavy objects dropped on them because their coworkers aren’t staying aware of their surroundings.
4. Missing warning signs and symbols: Signage in the workplace should clearly demarcate hazardous areas and provide guidance as far as how to stay safe. If your coworker misses these signs, then they may inadvertently engage in dangerous behavior that puts themselves and others at risk of being harmed.
5. Allowing anger to take control: We’ve all been frustrated on the job. When that happens, you have to be able to control your emotions if you want to remain safe. If you don’t, then your judgment can be clouded, miscommunications can occur and tensions can increase. Any of these issues can create a hazardous situation.
6. Engaging in horseplay: If your coworkers are always messing around at work, then there’s a decent chance that someone is going to get hurt. You could be one of them even if you’re just a bystander who isn’t engaged in the horseplay. Just be sure you refrain from this type of activity yourself, otherwise you may be denied the workers’ compensation benefits you need.

What should you do if you’ve been injured by a coworker’s mistake?

If you’ve been hurt on the job, then you should consider seeking workers’ compensation benefits. A successful claim can lead to the recovery of much needed compensation to help offset your medical expenses and your lost wages until you can return to work.

But these cases can be complicated, especially when the insurance company tries to find a way to deny your claim. So, make sure you understand the law and know how to gather the evidence necessary to build a persuasive workers’ compensation case that positions you for success.