What is the number one cause of injuries?

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Multiple Choice

What is the number one cause of injuries?

Overexertion is typically the leading cause of injuries in many workplaces. It covers the strains and sprains that come from manual handling—lifting, lowering, pushing, or pulling heavy or awkward loads—and from repetitive motions that wear on muscles and joints over time. Because these tasks are so common and often involve substantial physical effort, they accumulate across the workforce and lead to more injuries than single-event hazards like burns or electrical shocks. Falls are a major hazard, but when you look at overall injury counts across many industries, overexertion tends to be the top contributor. To reduce this risk, emphasize proper lifting technique, use mechanical aids or team lifting for heavy loads, keep loads close to the body, avoid twisting, and look for ways to cut repetition or shorten exposure time with better task design and ergonomics.

Overexertion is typically the leading cause of injuries in many workplaces. It covers the strains and sprains that come from manual handling—lifting, lowering, pushing, or pulling heavy or awkward loads—and from repetitive motions that wear on muscles and joints over time. Because these tasks are so common and often involve substantial physical effort, they accumulate across the workforce and lead to more injuries than single-event hazards like burns or electrical shocks. Falls are a major hazard, but when you look at overall injury counts across many industries, overexertion tends to be the top contributor. To reduce this risk, emphasize proper lifting technique, use mechanical aids or team lifting for heavy loads, keep loads close to the body, avoid twisting, and look for ways to cut repetition or shorten exposure time with better task design and ergonomics.

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