DEFINITION OF ACCIDENT

An accident is an unintentionally-caused event. … Occupational accidents are also referred to as work-related accidents, and the personal harm they cause may be referred to as an “occupational injury,” “occupational death,” or other label which specifies that the cause of the harm was occupational in nature.

CAUSES OF WORKSHOP ACCIDENTS

The workplace can be dangerous, even more so in an industrial environment. Numerous factors can cause accidents, ranging from overexertion to mishandling of hazardous materials. There are also a multitude of variables that can contribute to or influence a workplace incident. Following are eight of the most common causes of accidents in the workplace:

Lifting

Many employees are prone to sprain, strain or tear a muscle by virtue of lifting an object that is too heavy for them to lift on their own. Keep in mind that there is no harm in asking for help with objects that are difficult to lift.

Fatigue 

Failing to take a break is another common cause of accidents. In order to recover from grueling manual labor, it is essential that employees take adequate breaks. Not doing so can lead to a slew of physical issues, including atrophy and general exhaustion. The results of either of these can be far more devastating than taking a 10-minute breather.

Dehydration

Not staying hydrated can also bring about disastrous consequences. On exceptionally hot summer days, failing to drink adequate amounts of water can cause heat stroke or cardiac conditions. This can be avoided by simply drinking at least eight glasses of water per day. Management should stress the importance of proper hydration and rest, as it maximizes the efforts of personnel.

Poor Lighting

Inadequate lighting is responsible for a number of accidents each year. This is often overlooked when attempting to prevent accidents in the warehouse or workplace.

Hazardous Materials

Improper handling of hazardous materials or not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is another common cause of accidents in the workplace. By reading material safety data sheets and providing the appropriate protective attire, many workplace incidents can be avoided.

Acts of Workplace Violence

Sadly, violence among co-workers has become all too common. It is usually brought about by office politics or other sensitive issues. Integrating conflict resolution and peer mediation can help to reduce the risks of such outbursts.

Trips and Falls

Slick floors and high-traffic corridors can cause a trip or fall. Improper footwear may also contribute to these accidents, which not only can result in injuries but also workman’s compensation-related cases.

Stress

Stress is one of the leading causes of death. It affects the human body in every facet imaginable. Stress can foster negative effects physiologically, emotionally and mentally, as well as debilitate or distract any worker. Therefore, it is essential to encourage a supportive team environment.

TYPES OF WORKSHOP ACCIDENTS

Here are a few of the most common workplace injuries you could find yourself with.

1) Slips and Falls
These types of accidents account for about a third of all injuries in the workplace. In general, falls accounts for more than a million injuries each year. Slips and falls can be due to a variety of factors including wet or damaged floors, debris on the floor, and other obstructions. Though these types of accidents have many causes, it is often due to the actions or neglect of someone else.
2) Manual Labor
If you work in an environment where carrying, pulling, pushing, moving, or heavy lifting is necessary, you are much more susceptible to heart problems, back injuries, muscle injuries, and even broken limbs. If you feel your job is too difficult, too tiring, too heavy or puts you at risk of injury, make sure to speak to your employer about your concerns. It is the employer’s responsibility to assess manual work activities and control any risks in order to keep you and others safe from harm.

3) Working With Heavy Equipment
If you work in around vehicles and moving equipment, you may be injured by getting hit from the vehicles themselves or by items falling from the vehicles. However, those operating the motorized vehicle are at risk of injury as well from crashing or turning over from unbalanced loads. Driving mishaps may lead to head injuries, neck injuries, broken limbs, and traumatic injuries to other areas of the body.

4) Workplace Hazard
Depending on the nature of your work, you may be more susceptible to injuries due to on the job hazards. Burns, explosions, and other serious injuries related to workplace hazards can be deadly. Working in a potentially hazardous environment may be unavoidable, however there are often guidelines put in place to make sure you can perform the job as safely as possible.

PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS IN MECHANICAL WORKSHOP

1. Always be alert. There’s a reason why many workers insist upon that morning coffee. Being awake and alert isn’t just important in order to complete tasks adequately, but it also helps to keep both you and your co-workers out of harm’s way. According to Julian Hall on Character-Training.com, “most of the people who become involved with accidents at work are those who feel sleepy while working.”
2. Don’t rush your work. In many workplaces, time is of the essence. Employees are given deadlines that they must meet, so there is often a sense of urgency when it comes to completing certain tasks. It’s important, however, to take the appropriate amount of time to perform your duties safely. On Arbill.com, it is explained that “it’s natural to want to get the job finished on schedule — or even ahead of time — but with a ‘get it done quick’ attitude, accidents happen.”
3. Wear required safety gear. Many jobs require uniforms. But the jobs that require the wearing of safety equipment are the ones where dress codes are the most important. “A person who works in a factory has a greater chance of being involved in an accident at work,” reminds Hall, “Thus, he should be more vigilant about the wearing of proper uniforms and other protective garments when working. Never take safety to chance so always go to work with the proper dress code.”
4. Follow instructions to a tee. Sometimes, workers get complacent. It’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming that you’re an expert at your job, so you don’t need to follow every last instruction. However, paying attention to detail can help you to avoid making mistakes that can lead to injury. “Don’t take shortcuts,” insists Arbill.com, “stick to the instructions and work with diligence and awareness of your surroundings.”
5. Pay attention to and follow emergency drills. Workers also tend to take safety drills for granted. If they’re not “the real thing”, they often go through the motions carelessly. However, participation in such drills couldn’t be more important. As Hall points out, these emergency drills are conducted for the purpose of teaching employees what to do in the event of an emergency and so that they can avoid accidents.
6. Insist upon proper training. This is especially important if you plan on taking on a job that may present a number of risks. Knowing exactly what you’re in for and how to react during emergency situations is imperative for your safety. “It is stupid for anyone to take on a high-risk job especially if he has not been trained for the job,” states Arbill.com, “Imagine an untrained person doing the job of a fireman? Doing this will not only expose you to a great danger but will expose other people to danger as well.”

CONCLUSION

Accidents arise from unsafe behavior and/or unsafe conditions. An important factor is the safety climate or safety culture of an organization. Safety culture concerns how workplace safety is managed, consisting of the shared attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and values among employees. Faulty equipment can also cause serious personal injuries, a common example being accidents from faulty ladders. If the rubber feet are absent, the base of the aluminium stile can slip suddenly on a hard floor and the user fall.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Workers in  instructional  mechanic  workshops  should  endeavour  to use active  machines  while  teaching .
2. Sophisticated tools  and  equipment  should  be  used while working in the instructional  mechanic  workshops in order to avoid accidents
3. Oil should  not be  allowed to remain on the ground/floor of  mechanic  workshops.
4. Machines and  equipment  in  instructional  mechanic  workshops  should  be  serviced  regularly.
5. Instructional mechanic  workshops  environment  should  be  kept  clean  always

REFERENCES

Cox, S. & Cox, T. (1991) The structure of employee attitudes to safety – a European example Work and Stress, 5, 93 – 106.

“Benefits and costs: Leading health and safety at work”. www.hse.gov.uk.

estudiomma (2019-07-19). “Accidente de Trabajo in Itinere O No | Art”. abogados online.

“Brit Olivia Jackson, 32, from Buckinghamshire, crashed into a metal camera arm while shooting a high-speed motorbike chase in September”. 2015-12-21.

“Pro Skier Dies During Film Shoot for Ubisoft’s New Game Steep”.