9 Most Common Types of Workplace Accidents, What Causes Them?

Every job comes with its own set of risks, and it’s crucial for workers to be aware of them so they can take proactive steps to prepare and protect themselves. Understanding the concept of workplace accidents is essential for everyone, as it allows us to actively reduce the risks and minimize the impact if the worst-case scenario does happen.

A workplace accident, as defined by the official website of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan (Indonesia’s Workers Social Security Agency), refers to an incident that occurs at the workplace or is related to work activities. Such incidents can lead to occupational diseases, injuries, or even death.

Another definition can be found in the Regulation of the Minister of Manpower (Permenaker) Number 5 of 2021. This regulation states that a workplace accident is an accident that occurs in relation to work, including those that happen while commuting from home to the workplace or vice versa, as well as illnesses caused by the work environment.

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9 Common Types of Workplace Accidents

According to the official website of BPJS Ketenagakerjaan (Indonesia’s Workers Social Security Agency), workplace accidents are categorized into four main types. The first is being struck by falling objects, the second is slipping and falling, the third is injuries caused by sharp objects, and the fourth is traffic accidents.

However, other sources break down these categories further into more detailed classifications, resulting in the following nine points:

1. Being Struck by Falling Objects

The first type is being struck by an object. As the name implies, this type of accident occurs when a person is hit by something falling from a height. The object can vary construction materials, items being lifted by a crane or forklift, collapsing roofs, falling tree branches, or objects stored on high shelves or racks.

This type of accident is common in workplaces that involve heavy materials and goods, such as factories or construction projects.

2. Slipping, Falling, or Tripping

The next type includes slipping, falling, or tripping. These incidents happen when a person loses traction on the surface, trips over an object, and ends up falling. It can occur on the spot or while moving, such as falling downstairs. The resulting injuries can be quite severe.

3. Contact with Sharp Objects

Injuries caused by sharp objects are another common type of workplace accident. These occur when someone encounters a sharp item, resulting in cuts, puncture wounds, or even amputations. Sharp objects may include knives, box cutters, scissors, saws, screwdrivers, needles, cutting machines, drills, lathes, grinders, broken glass, sharp metal, wood splinters, syringes, and other similar tools.

In essence, any object with a sharp edge or point that can cause wounds or abrasions falls into this category.

4. Traffic Accidents

Traffic accidents are another category considered as workplace accidents. However, certain conditions must be met for a traffic accident to be officially recognized as a work-related incident.

The conditions include:

Being involved in an accident during a business trip, either domestically or internationally.
Being involved in an accident while performing work duties and/or using a company vehicle for work-related purposes.
Being involved in an accident during a commute that is considered part of the job, such as for seafarers or offshore workers.

5. Impact, Crushing, or Collision Injuries

Impact injuries can occur when a person’s body hits a stationary object with force. These incidents often happen suddenly and unintentionally. Collision injuries occur when the body is struck by a moving object. Crushing injuries happen when part of the body is caught between two objects either moving or stationary. These three types of incidents are often interrelated and can occur simultaneously in a single accident.

6. Electric Shock

The next type is electric shock. This occurs when an electrical current flows through a person's body from a power source. The current then returns either to its source or to the ground, triggering the sensation of being shocked.

This type of workplace accident is considered one of the most dangerous, as it can cause severe injuries or even death. Several factors influence the severity of the effects, such as the voltage level, the strength of the current, the path the current takes through the body, the duration of the exposure, and the type of current involved.

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7. Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals

Hazardous chemicals can also pose a serious threat to workplace safety. Chemicals are substances in solid, liquid, or gas form that can endanger health, safety, and the environment.

The hazardous properties of these substances may include being toxic, corrosive, irritating, flammable, explosive, or reactive. Such accidents commonly occur in chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, mining, agriculture, paint production, battery production, semiconductor manufacturing, laboratories, and similar industries.

8. Exposure to Loud Noise

Continuous or excessively loud noise exposure can also lead to workplace accidents. Such noise can cause distractions, irritation, and even hearing damage.

The Threshold Limit Value for noise in the workplace is regulated under Regulation of the Minister of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia Number 5 of 2018 concerning Occupational Safety and Health in the Work Environment. The permitted level is 85 dBA for an 8-hour workday or 40-hour workweek. Exposure above this limit without proper protection may result in long-term hearing loss.

9. Muscle Injuries

Also known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), these conditions affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs, and are often caused by workplace activities. Common types of muscle injuries include sprains, tendonitis, bursitis, lower back pain, and more.

Causes of Workplace Accidents

Due to the potentially serious consequences, workplace accidents must be addressed wisely. Early identification of potential triggers in the workplace is essential and must be understood by everyone to help reduce the risk of unwanted incidents.

Several theories, such as Heinrich’s Domino Theory, have been introduced to explain how interconnected factors contribute to the sequence of workplace accidents.

In addition to such theories, some general causes and triggers of workplace accidents include:

Lack of safety training
Worker fatigue
Neglecting established safety procedures
Unsafe, poorly maintained, or substandard equipment
Non ergonomic working conditions
Poor communication between workers
Excessive production pressure, leading to worker fatigue and machine overuse
Inadequate supervision
Suboptimal worker health conditions
Improper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Also Read: AXA Insurance Launches SmartActive, Personal Accident Protection for an Active Lifestyle

Understanding potential risks and taking preventive measures to avoid workplace accidents are fundamental responsibilities for everyone. To strengthen this protection, you can complement it with a reliable Personal Accident Insurance plan, such as the SmartActive Personal Protection Insurance from PT AXA Insurance Indonesia.

This insurance product offers significant benefits for various types of accidents you may experience whether during daily activities, at the workplace, or in specific job roles. Comprehensive, affordable, and dependable, this personal protection insurance from PT AXA Insurance Indonesia is designed to shield you from the impacts of potential workplace accidents. Contact us today and get trusted insurance solutions for all your protection needs!

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