Mishandling of materials is ___ of accidents and injuries in the workplace.

• A. Never the cause
• B. Rarely the cause
• C. A minor cause
• D. The single largest cause

Answer: (D)

Mishandling materials leads to the most injuries because tasks like lifting, carrying, and storing items place repeated strain on the body and create opportunities for drops, crush injuries, or pinching hazards. Workers encounter these situations across many trades, so improper handling accumulates as a major source of musculoskeletal injuries and accidents. It isn’t the only risk out there, but among specific factors, improper material handling consistently stands out as the largest contributor. That’s why safety focus on this area—using proper lifting techniques, mechanical aids, team lifts, and clear, safe storage practices—has such a big impact on reducing workplace injuries.