Any business leaders focused on workplace injury management and prevention must be mindful of their employees’ workload. When the team doesn’t have enough people to get the job done, it can jeopardize a worker’s health and well-being. Learn more about injuries caused by understaffing at work and ways you can protect your workforce.
Staffing Shortages Create More Room for Error
Even if a company or department doesn’t have adequate staff, business leaders still expect a job well done. Employees may end up getting hurt in their efforts to meet expectations. That’s because tasks will usually fall on those who aren’t equipped to handle them.
Suppose a grocery store hires just two stocking associates. They miss their shifts, which prompts the manager to ask some cashiers to temporarily fill their role. Stocking the store calls for lifting heavy objects, but since the cashiers are unfamiliar with proper lifting techniques, they end up with back injuries caused by understaffing.
Training employees on various tasks reduces the risk of human error. However, work-related accidents may still occur as a result of staffing shortages.
Employee Fatigue Contributes to Workplace Injuries
No one can be successful at work if they’re constantly feeling exhausted and run-down. Overworked and understaffed teams tend to face far more occupational hazards than those in a properly staffed workplace.
Fatigue can be especially dangerous for those who operate machinery, causing them to make careless errors or even doze off and lose control of the machine.
Business leaders must recognize the signs of employee burnout and prioritize risk management. Hiring more staff and reducing work schedules are effective ways to minimize burnout and improve morale, not to mention boost workplace safety.
Employees Are More Likely To Overexert Themselves
Members of an understaffed team must often pick up the slack. If the work involves any type of physical labor, they risk injuring themselves by taking on more than they can handle. They could overexert themselves performing one task or suffer a more gradual injury due to repeated movements.
Some common overuse or repetitive strain injuries caused by understaffing at work include:
- Shin splints
- Strained neck or back
- Tendinitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
If an employee has to take time off to treat their injury, the workload becomes even greater for everyone else. This leads to burnout, which then increases their risk of injury.
High Turnover Rates Mean Lapses in Job Safety Training
Would you want to stay at a job where you’re constantly overworked? Given the choice between working in an unsafe, understaffed environment and finding a new job, most people decide to move on from their current job. Unless the business addresses the root of the problem, employee turnover is likely to be high.
How are some bodily injuries caused by understaffing at work? Consider the following chain of events:
- The company doesn’t hire enough workers.
- Current employees get fed up and decide to leave.
- Needing to fill a role quickly, new hires aren’t given adequate job training.
- Poorly trained employees end up injured due to their unfamiliarity with safety protocols.
- The injured employee needs time off, which further strains the team.
This vicious cycle is likely to continue until employers recognize the impact of staffing shortages. Ending burnout and reducing turnover rates can make for a safer workplace.
What Employers Need To Know About Workplace Injury Prevention
Employees getting hurt on the job impacts everyone at a business. Productivity may suffer, and other employees could feel pressured to pick up the slack. Business leaders must be aware of injuries caused by understaffing at work as well as unsafe conditions.
The first step in preventing workplace injuries is having a fully staffed workforce. You’ll avoid all of the issues mentioned above and have happier, healthier employees.
Conduct thorough training for employees performing physical labor. Teach them proper procedures to keep themselves and others safe.
Finally, focus on improving ergonomics. Encourage employees to stretch and take short breaks throughout the day to avoid straining their neck, back, and extremities. Consider scheduling a professional ergonomic assessment to identify risks and make appropriate changes.
Overcome Occupational Safety Hazards With WorkSafe
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to prevent injuries caused by understaffing at work or make a fully staffed business safer. WorkSafe has customized solutions for you and your employees. Our services center around workplace injuries and prevention measures.
Connect with us today to see how we can support your workforce. Contact our Wichita-based team online or by calling (316) 262-8800.