A Look at the Toughest Workplaces in America
workplace accidents

workplace accidents

Every seven second, a worker is injured on the job. That’s according to the National Safety Council. On a yearly basis, that averages to 4,500,000 of workers injured on the job. Some of the most minor injuries include cuts and punctures but other gradual injuries such as soreness or pain of the back often result in spinal cord injuries.

Today we’re going to highlight the risk of injury of some of the most dangerous industries in the U.S.  

Construction

In 2017, approximately four percent of the U.S. workforce included construction jobs. Although that may seem like a small number, the construction industry accounted for over 21 percent of worker deaths for overall workplace fatalities. The causes include falls, struck by an object, electrocutions, and caught-in or between machinery. According to a report by Safety + Health, if you’re a construction worker, you’ll have at least one work-related injury in your lifetime. Your risk of dying prematurely also rises.   

Maintenance and Repair

The maintenance and repair subsector includes those who work with heavy machinery and equipment such as technicians, mechanics, and installers. The type of injuries that may occur in these occupations extend from working with faulty equipment to lifting objects that far exceed one’s capabilities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 134 fatalities in the repair and maintenance subsector in 2017 alone.     

Transportation

Back in 2016, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that transportation was the number one leading cause of workplace fatalities. That year, transportation accidents accounted for 2,083 deaths, which was 40 percent of workplace fatalities! The top causes of accidents in this industry include workplace violence, slip and falls, contact with objects, exposure to toxic substances, fires and explosions, and collisions on the road.

Service: Police and Firefighters

Law enforcement officers and firefighters put their life on the line. They face physical altercations head-on, they battle fires, and they’re required to act fast. These occupations are dangerous by nature. So it’s no surprise that among the deadliest jobs in America includes police officers. For firefighters, the risk of injury includes infectious diseases such as meningitis, hepatitis, and HIV, as well as chronic illnesses based on their long exposure to smoke.   

If You’ve Been Injured On the Job, Contact the Law Office of Javier Martinez, Jr., P.C. in El Paso Today

Bringing awareness to workplace injuries is a large part of understanding the risks some of the hardest working Americans face each day given the nature of their job. In our next blog post, we’ll bring you insight into workplace injuries that can be avoided.  

If you or someone you know was injured on the job, please connect with our law firm today. At the Law Office of Javier Martinez, Jr., P.C., we provide legal assistance following a work-related injury. Connect with us today to learn more.