What Is a Non-Impact Workplace Injury?

Many people only consider a workplace accident to be a single-instance event. Slipping on a wet floor, for example, or being struck by a falling object are common cases of workplace events that could lead to serious injuries. Unfortunately, these only represent a portion of the types of workplace injuries that might occur. A significant number of injuries result from a category of accidents considered non-impact.

In general, non-impact injuries can be categorized in three ways:

• Excessive physical effort: It is not uncommon for a worker’s duties to include lifting, moving or carrying heavy objects. These actions can put stress on muscles, ligaments and tendons. Often, the worker can damage a body part – often the lower back – to the point where any movement results in pain.

• Repetitive stress: Injuries caused by the repetition of microtasks can seem minor at first but can quickly grow to cause great physical discomfort. Typing could be considered the most serious of these activities, but can also include stacking boxes, moving items or operating an industrial machine.

• Toxic exposure: Workers might be exposed to dangerous materials without ever realizing it. From asbestos to benzene, a work environment can be filled with toxic chemicals that could be inhaled or ingested without any effort on the part of the worker.

Every work environment is unique, and no two workplace injuries are the same. Whether you were hit by a forklift or a box of materials fell from a shelf and struck you on the head, it is crucial that you act quickly to protect your health and finances.