3 causes of overexertion injuries

On Behalf of | Jan 25, 2023 | Workers' compensation

Your body is capable of working hard and accomplishing a lot, but there are limits to what it can do. Overexertion injuries can occur when you try to push your body beyond its limits.

According to the National Safety Council, overexertion injuries were the most common cause of nonfatal work-related injuries or illnesses in the United States prior to 2020. Since that time, it remains the second-leading cause. Here are some reasons that overexertion injuries occur and how you may be able to avoid them.

1. Extreme temperatures

In Florida, you are most likely to experience temperature extremes of heat while you are working. Your body is able to maintain a consistent internal temperature but, according to Healthline, it has to work harder to do so when temperatures are high. This can lead to potentially dangerous illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

2. Improper technique

If you do not use the proper technique when performing work, it can put strain on your body which can result in injuries. For example, when you lift something heavy, your legs should bear most of the weight or you could hurt your back. Holding your body in awkward positions, e.g., cradling the phone headset between your neck and shoulder while talking, or using poor posture when sitting or standing are other examples of improper techniques that can lead to overexertion.

3. Prolonged activity

Your body needs a chance to rest and recover from physical exertion from time to time. If you keep doing physically demanding work without taking a break, it could result in overexertion.

Overexertion from prolonged activity is more likely if you have to keep performing the same action over and over.