Why Experienced Workers Still Get Hurt on the Job

By Tyler Doupe'

Practice makes perfect goes the old adage. And to some extent, it’s true. We tend to get better and faster the more often we complete a particular task. At the same time, experience can present its own set of inherent risks.

Complacency Has No Place in the Workplace

When a job becomes routine, it can be easy to switch to autopilot and let your mind wander. A lack of awareness can slow reaction times and lead to dire consequences. With a little effort, veteran workers can avoid slipping into complacency. A good rule of thumb for staying vigilant is to treat each day on the job like it’s your first. Make a point to stay actively engaged and alert despite the fact that you’re familiar with the process. Doing so will dramatically reduce your chances of a workplace mishap.

Everyone Makes Mistakes

Complacency isn’t the only culprit when it comes to on-the-job accidents involving seasoned employees. Case in point: Some experienced workers may mistakenly come to believe that they are too skilled to make mistakes. Though it is true that veteran laborers are less likely to make errors than their inexperienced counterparts, that does not translate to invincibility. To stay safe on the job, seasoned staffers should approach their duties with the understanding that even the most competent employees are capable of missteps.

Safety First

In addition to complacency and overconfidence, experienced staffers are also more vulnerable to urgency-related mishaps. When you are familiar with the job at hand and working under a tight deadline, it might be tempting to cut corners. You may even have gotten away with it in the past. But shortcuts have a way of catching up to us. To strike the right balance, workers should know that it’s appropriate to strive for efficiency, but never at the expense of workplace safety. 

Lastly, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that no amount of experience can offset the effects of physical and mental exhaustion. Veteran staffers might be used to picking up the slack. They are loyal, reliable, and know how to get the job done. But even well-trained employees with years of experience are susceptible to judgment errors when they reach the point of depletion. Organizations should actively encourage workers of all experience levels to speak up at the first sign of fatigue.

On the whole, seasoned employees have a lower incidence of on-the-job injury, but they are far from immune to malady. Staying vigilant and putting safety above productivity will go a long way toward keeping veteran staffers safe on the job.

For even more useful information on workplace safety, take a look at OSHAcademy Course 600: Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health.