If you know how to load and unload trucks, you have a highly in-demand skillset. You also do not mind working hard every day to support yourself and your family members. Still, a back injury may make it difficult or downright impossible to perform your job duties. Lumpers may be more vulnerable to serious back injuries than workers in other industries. Here are three back injuries lumpers often suffer at work. 1. Herniated disks The vertebrae in your spinal column protect your spinal cord from injury and provide support for your upper body. Between your vertebrae, you have soft disks that cush ..read more

From machines and medical equipment to food processing and beer brewing, manufacturing is one of the five largest industries in the St. Paul metro area. Workers in the private manufacturing sector experienced 15% of total nonfatal workplace injuries in 2019 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Review the common hazards for manufacturing employees to protect yourself on the job. Sprains, strains and tears This category represented 28% of the injuries reported in BLS data, making it by far the most common type of injury for manufacturing employees. Practice ergonomic lifting techniq ..read more

Healthcare can be a particularly dangerous job for several reasons. The fast-paced, high-risk environment can lend itself to a variety of work-related injuries from biohazards to needle sticks. However, one of the most common injuries nurses suffer may not be what you think. Back Injury Statistics Back injuries and back pain affect approximately 38 percent of nurses in the United States. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics ranked healthcare at the top of processions with the highest risk of back injury, according to the American Journal of Critical Care. Nurses are six times more likely to ..read more

Workplace accidents can lead to devastating, life-changing injuries. Workers in occupations from heavy industry and construction to retail and an office setting can get hurt and face medical treatments, time off work and a lengthy course of physical therapy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, slips, trips and falls cause nearly 700 fatalities and thousands of injurious accidents in the workplace each year. Three elements play a role in leading to workplace accidents: Friction refers to the resistance between objects. Momentum is affected by the speed and mass of an object. Gravity re ..read more

Construction workers and those in heavy industry can struggle with dangerous job environments during nearly every shift. In general, workers are given safety instructions and proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for safety warnings to amount to nothing more than lip service. Without the knowledge necessary to safely complete a task, workers face serious injuries in countless situations throughout the day. Excavation and trenching are among the most dangerous of all construction operations. These structures, inadequately designed and constructed, can res ..read more

Workers in Minnesota’s agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry regularly put themselves in harm’s way. Many people might be surprised to hear these jobs are actually among the most dangerous in the state. According to the most recent data from the Department of Labor and Industry, that industry sector saw the most workplace fatalities in 2018. It also had the second-highest injury and illness rate of all industries in the state. Specific injury and illness risks The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) operates research programs at the federal level. These ..read more

The modern economy depends on dedicated delivery drivers. If both large and small retailers did not have competent delivery professionals in their supply chains, two-day shipping would not be possible. As such, it is no surprise there were nearly 1.5 million delivery drivers in the United States in 2018. Another roughly 30,000 drivers will join the workforce in the next decade.  If you deliver packages for a living, you know how challenging your profession can be. After all, you must meet tight deadlines, perform customer service and keep clean paperwork. You may not realize, th ..read more

Between the dangerous chemicals, machinery and other hazards present on a construction site, workers in this profession face exposure to safety risks more frequently than in most other occupations. The 937 work-related deaths specific to the industry in 2015 in the United States starkly illustrates the potential for lethal injury on a construction site and the need for constant vigilance.  Occupational safety professionals seek to eliminate the chance of injury from the environment by utilizing safer tools, machinery and chemicals, as well as removing the presence of constructio ..read more

From long, physically demanding hours to contact with biohazardous materials, registered nurses face challenges on the job daily that may endanger their own health. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs are at a greater-than-average risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. In 2016 alone, nurses experienced over 19,000 nonfatal injuries or illnesses that resulted in forced time away from work.  In recent years, more and more nurses have come forward about physical and emotional abuse from violent patients with substance or mental health issues, as well. Here are s ..read more

Working in a retail environment may seem relatively safe at first. But you may start to notice your back hurting over time. Being on your feet for several hours, lifting heavy objects and making repetitive movements can result in back pain. According to a recent study, standing for even five hours per day can increase your risk of developing long-term back problems. Back pain can range from temporarily uncomfortable to chronically debilitating. Here are some ways you can reduce back pain at your retail job. Take breaks as frequently as possible If you are on your feet and walking around for ho ..read more