Introduction
Industrial accidents are injuries occurring during work or due to work-related equipment. These occur while or when the workers are within the work environment. An industrial accident can occur due to multiple reasons, including workplace machinery or materials. Industrial accidents can harm human health as well as the environment. Almost five million industrial injuries are reported yearly, with more than 1.5 million injuries being disabling or self-limiting.
What Is an Industrial Commission?
An industrial accident commission is formed to monitor the overall incidence of accidents, accident prevention, and guideline. Although the commission was formed for the benefit of the workers, it mainly concentrates on severe life-threatening injuries rather than minor injuries. The commission has framed specific criteria to report the following accidents. They are termed as the rules of practice and procedures to specify the event of an accident, and they are:
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History of occurrence of injury.
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Patient’s chief complaint.
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Submission of evidence.
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Opinion on the extent of the disability affecting work.
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Chances of permanent disability.
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The treatment plan advised by the doctor.
What Are the Factors Causing Industrial Accidents?
The factors in the industries that act as a reason to affect the working environment of the people and affecting their health condition are :
Improper workplace setup.
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Increased employee procurement.
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Lack of work knowledge or work training.
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Improper disposal management.
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Need to follow government protocols for safety and management.
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Lack of providing periodic health checkups.
What Are the Reasons for Industrial Accidents?
The common reasons that cause accidents to occur in industries are :
Tiredness: This occurs due to an increased workload and failure to take breaks at periodic intervals. The tiredness could lead to mental and physical fatigue, muscle weakness, and exhaustion of the workers.
Dehydration: The leading cause of dehydration is a reduced intake of water. Inadequacy in water intake can lead to many medical complications like dizziness, heat stroke, or even cardiac conditions.
Load Lifting: Increased lifting can make people prone to increased muscle tension, sprains, and strains.
Stress: Stress is one of the most predominant causes of death in today's world, as it affects the overall efficacy of an employee's physical and psychological performance. Hence it is important to provide a stress-free and supportive environment to the workers.
Workplace Violence: Violence among workers due to workplace misunderstanding can affect the entire ambiance of the workplace and be crucial and chaotic. It is important to encourage peer management, team outings, etc.
Fall Injury: Fall injuries in the workplace can occur due to slippery floors, cramped corridors, or improper workplace footwear.
Bad Lighting Facilities: Bad lighting is one of the main reasons for industrial accidents. It is essential for the workplace, especially the warehouses and textile and tailoring industries, to be lit up brightly to prevent accidents.
Hazardous Materials: Exposure to hazardous materials or chemicals like radiation, sulfides, etc., can cause long-term harmful effects on the patients. It is important to educate the employees on adequately handling hazardous materials, their management, and personal protective gear like PPE (personal protective equipment) kits.
What Are the Clinical Conditions Occurring in Industrial Accidents?
Numerous work-related clinical conditions occur as an outcome of work events. Some of the commonly occurring injuries are:
Fall Injuries: Fall injuries are one of the common injuries occurring in industries. It mostly happens when working at great heights without proper support or safety protocols. Patients end up getting fractures or concussions with compromised work efficacy or sometimes end up with compromised lifestyles.
Trauma: The causes of trauma can be accidents with increased workload, or automobile accidents caused due to long hours of the work shift or tiredness.
Asthma or Wheezing: Asthma or wheezing is a predominantly occurring condition in industries involving smoke and dust, like tea or wood. Constant exposure to these dust particles results in constant irritation of the lungs making the patient more prone to allergies, asthma, and wheezing. Hence it is important to wear gear like masks for protection.
Cancer: Cancer is one of the most evident clinical conditions in multiple industrial scenarios. The employees are constantly under an irregular thermal field with constant exposure to various chemicals and radiation. Not every time all of these radiations are under protocols, and some can involve very high exposure. Constant exposure to these radiations can affect the body to develop cancers.
Burns: Burns of varying degrees are noticed due to accidents when working with chemicals or gases like fireworks factories and petroleum.
Loss of Vision: Loss of Vision is seen in industries involving metal where the laser of the fire sparks emitted can be harmful to the eyes affecting vision
Loss of Hearing: Hearing loss is again one of the most common injuries in industries due to constant exposure to sound emerging from the machinery.
How Are Industrial Accidents Prevented?
Although an industrial accident can be life-threatening, there are ways to prevent this from happening and keep them in check.
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To know the workplace and the hazardous agent involved.
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Following proper safety guidelines and training
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Having a periodic industrial review and checkup of the machines.
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Maintaining eventful communication among the staff.
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To employ the right persons to handle the role.
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Provide proper safety training.
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Monitoring safety equipment like PPE (personal protective equipment) kits, goggles, ear-aids, and helmets.
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Periodic health checks and assessments for the workers.
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Reducing work stress by conducting team outings.
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Reporting and reviewing unsafe events or measures.
Conclusion:
Although industrial accidents can appear to be life-threatening or dangerous when people are under a daily threat of potential possibilities affecting their health and lifestyle, the possibility of an industrial accident occurring and its safety measures are only an idea or information of knowledge of what can happen and not a confirmation of it happening all the time. These accidents can be well prevented by following all the required guidelines and protocols regulated by the government, along with periodic monitoring and workers' safety measures education. Safety management and education are of great importance in industrial sectors for them to perform very smoothly and effectively. It should always be in consideration that the safety of the workers in any industry creates a peaceful and trustworthy environment for the workers, leading to progressive and successful outcomes.
