The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and two other federal agencies, OSHA and the CDC, recently published a report documenting the number and types and injuries and fatalities American workers experienced in 2019. The significance of these numbers is to raise awareness so that workplaces will be safer, workers will be more attentive to their situation, and victims and their families will know that they can seek compensation in the instance of a worksite injury or death.
Jobs with the most job-related injuries and illnesses
The 10 most dangerous occupations for workers (excluding fatal injuries) cited by the BLS’s Survey of Occupational Injuries & Illnesses are:
- Health care and social assistance (544,800 workplace injuries and 32,700 workplace illnesses)
- Retail trade (401,100 workplace injuries and 8,800 workplace illnesses)
- Manufacturing (395,300 workplace injuries and 35,000 workplace illnesses)
- Accommodation and food services (271,000 workplace injuries and 7,600 workplace illnesses)
- Transportation and warehousing (213,100 workplace injuries and 8,300 workplace illnesses)
- Construction (195,600 workplace injuries and 3,600 workplace illnesses)
- Wholesale trade (157,100 workplace injuries and 3,700 workplace illnesses)
- Administrative and waste services (112,800 workplace injuries and 5,800 workplace illnesses)
- Other services (except public administration) (70,800 workplace injuries and 1,900 workplace illnesses)
- Professional and technical services (66,100 workplace injuries and 4,400 workplace illnesses)
Jobs with the most job-related fatal injuries
Unfortunately, even though work-related injuries and illnesses show a decline from previous years, the number of fatal accidents has increased. The six most common causes of workplace fatalities are:
- Transportation accidents (2,080 fatalities in the most-recent year)
- Violence and other injuries caused by persons or animals (828 fatalities in the most-recent year)
- Falls, slips, and trips (792 fatalities in the most-recent year)
- Contact with objects and equipment (786 fatalities in the most-recent year)
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments (621 fatalities in the most-recent year)
- Fires and explosions (115 fatalities in the most-recent year)
It is very important that workers and their employers do everything possible to ensure the safety of the workplace for everyone. While many companies have exemplary safety programs and procedures, some do not.
One of our law firm’s main priorities is to help victims of workplace accidents. If you were injured on the job due to the negligence of the employer or company you work for, please contact us.
Our personal injury consultations are always free and we never get paid unless you do. Give us a call at 1-800-LAW-1333. We want to help you in any way that we can.
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