Top 10 Workplace Injuries and How to Prevent Them: Tips from a Colorado Occupational Health Clinic

Introduction: Why Workplace Injury Prevention Matters

At Colorado Occupational Medical Partners (COMP), we specialize in helping Colorado businesses reduce injury risk, meet OSHA compliance, and support a healthy workforce. With over 2.6 million nonfatal workplace injuries reported annually in the U.S., injury prevention is both a legal obligation and a smart business move.

Whether you manage a warehouse, office, or job site, this guide outlines the most common workplace injuries and expert advice on how to prevent them—directly from a leading occupational health clinic in Colorado.

1. Overexertion Injuries

Common Causes: Lifting, pulling, or pushing heavy items
Industries Affected: Warehousing, manufacturing, healthcare
Prevention Tips:

  • Train staff in proper lifting techniques
  • Use lifting aids (dollies, hoists, carts)
  • Rotate tasks to reduce strain

✅COMP Tip: We offer injury prevention training and ergonomic assessments tailored to your workforce.

2. Slips, Trips, and Falls

Common Causes: Wet floors, loose cords, uneven surfaces
Industries Affected: Retail, food service, construction
Prevention Tips:

  • Install slip-resistant flooring
  • Improve lighting in high-traffic areas
  • Conduct regular safety walk-throughs

✅Local Expertise: Our occupational health team in Colorado performs onsite risk assessments for fall hazards.

3. Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs)

Common Causes: Typing, scanning, machine operation
Industries Affected: Offices, factories, retail
Prevention Tips:

  • Provide ergonomic workstations
  • Schedule microbreaks
  • Train employees on posture and movement

✅We Offer: Ergonomic consulting to minimize long-term musculoskeletal issues.

4. Contact with Equipment or Objects

Common Causes: Moving machinery, dropped tools
Industries Affected: Construction, maintenance, logistics
Prevention Tips:

  • Enforce equipment safety protocols
  • Require personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Provide safety training for all operators

✅COMP Services: Post-incident evaluations and return-to-work clearances.

5. Falls from Heights

Common Causes: Ladders, scaffolding, elevated platforms
Industries Affected: Roofing, telecom, energy
Prevention Tips:

  • Use fall arrest systems
  • Inspect equipment regularly
  • Offer OSHA-compliant fall protection training

✅Did You Know? Falls are among the top OSHA violations each year.

6. Workplace Violence

Common Causes: Assaults, threats, altercations
Industries Affected: Healthcare, social services, customer service
Prevention Tips:

  • Create a zero-tolerance policy
  • Train teams in de-escalation
  • Provide access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

✅COMP Care: We can facilitate mental health screening and post-incident counseling support.

7. Vehicle-Related Accidents

Common Causes: Forklift incidents, delivery crashes
Industries Affected: Transportation, warehousing
Prevention Tips:

  • Conduct defensive driving training
  • Schedule regular vehicle maintenance
  • Mandate rest periods for drivers

✅Specialized Services: We provide DOT physicals and driver fitness evaluations in-clinic or onsite.

8. Cuts and Lacerations

Common Causes: Sharp tools, glass, machinery
Industries Affected: Manufacturing, culinary, automotive
Prevention Tips:

  • Provide appropriate gloves
  • Keep blades and tools in good condition
  • Train staff on safe tool handling

✅COMP Support: Our clinic provides fast wound care and follow-up treatment.

9. Burns (Thermal or Chemical)

Common Causes: Hot surfaces, electrical exposure, chemicals
Industries Affected: Food service, chemical plants, labs
Prevention Tips:

  • Clearly label hazardous materials
  • Require proper PPE
  • Install emergency showers/eyewash stations

✅We Provide: Burn care and OSHA medical surveillance exams.

10. Exposure to Harmful Substances

Common Causes: Mold, dust, fumes, chemical vapors
Industries Affected: Construction, janitorial, industrial
Prevention Tips:

  • Conduct air quality testing
  • Use respiratory protection
  • Train employees on hazard communication

✅COMP Services: Respiratory clearances, HAZMAT/HAZWOPER exams, and routine surveillance available.

Protect Your Workforce with Colorado Occupational Medical Partners

Workplace injuries don’t just impact health—they cost companies in productivity, morale, and compliance. At Colorado Occupational Medical Partners, we partner with businesses to prevent injuries before they happen, support injured workers, and keep your team healthy and OSHA-compliant.

✅ Our Services Include:

  • Pre-placement/employment exams and testing
  • Injury treatment and return-to-work evaluations
  • Onsite health screenings and ergonomic assessments
  • DOT exams, drug testing, and medical surveillance programs

📞Ready to improve your workplace safety?
Contact the nearest Colorado Occupational Medical Partners, your trusted occupational health clinic in Colorado, to schedule a consultation or onsite visit.

Serving Colorado businesses statewide