Data from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has found that the most common claims in the vehicle collision repair industry are for injuries to the eyes, cuts and lacerations, back and other musculoskeletal injuries and respiratory (lung) diseases like work-related asthma.
What is causing these injuries? According the DOL:
- Eye injuries – Frequently caused by particles that impact unprotected eyes, especially when prepping vehicles with grinders and sanders.
- Cuts and lacerations to fingers – Commonly result from using knives and other blades while prepping vehicles for painting.
- Back and other musculoskeletal injuries – Caused by lifting heavy objects and working in awkward postures when disassembling and prepping vehicles.
Back injuries are the most costly, notes the DOL, because of the time loss associated with these serious and debilitating injuries.
- Respiratory diseases – Result from exposure to the isocyanates present in polyurethane.
To prevent these injuries from occurring, the DOL offers this advice: “Talk to your employees about the most frequent and costly injuries. Get their input on what they think might hurt them on the job, then ask them what could be changed to prevent those injuries.
“When employees participate in ways to prevent injuries, they are much more likely to comply with changes you might make. For example, when employees chose their own protective eyewear from a catalog, they are more likely to wear it.”
