They are common occurrences a truck driver falls out of his truck, tries to break his fall with his hands, and ends up injuring his wrist. A nursing aide lifts a patient and hurts her back. A janitor slips on a wet floor and hurts his shoulder.

  Many workplace injuries can be prevented just by thinking and planning ahead, said William Allen, Director of Safety Services at Baptist Memorial Health Care.

  Think ahead about what you are going to do, Allen said. Am I going to need help? Am I going to overextend myself? People have a tendency to think: its not going to happen to me. Then when it does, they ask: why did that happen? 

  About 1.5 million injuries and illnesses in private industry required recuperation away from home, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Of these, truck drivers accounted for the most injuries, as they have since 1993. Rounding out the top 10 are nursing aides and orderlies, non-construction laborers, construction workers, janitors and cleaners, carpenters, assemblers, cooks, stock handlers and baggers, and registered nurses.

  Men made up 65.7 percent of cases, which is higher than their share of the hours worked (58.7 percent) by all private wage and salary workers. Men are more likely to overexert themselves, Allen said.

  Men are more prone to think we can do things by ourselves, when it would be better to work together, Allen said.

  More than four out of 10 injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work were sprains and strains, most often involving the back. Often these injuries can be prevented just by lifting objects properly. Its also important not to overextend yourself and lift more than you can handle. People tend to bend at the waist, which puts undo strain on the back.

  Most people dont pick up things correctly, Allen said. You should bend your legs, squat, pull the object very close to you where you are almost straddling it, and then rise up.

  Other common parts of the body affected include the upper extremities (wrist, hand, and fingers), knees, and shoulders, according to the BLS. Common injuries are bruises, cuts, fractures, back pain, carpel tunnel syndrome, heat burns, tendonitis, and chemical burns.

  Floors, walkways, and ground surfaces were the most common sources of injury. You should always be careful and pay attention to the surface you are walking on especially when its wet to avoid falls, Allen said.

  Overexertion, contact with objects and equipment, falls, and repetitive motion were some of most common sources of injury, according to the BLS.

  Allen said one of the best things people can do to prevent injury is to stretch their muscles first thing each morning.

  Youre telling your muscles its time to wake up. Ive stretched them and now its time to start my day.