According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), a worker is injured every seven seconds in this country. Additionally, the BLS reports that each year, nearly five million Americans are injured. While not every job is dangerous, certain occupations put workers at a higher risk of injury or death, increasing the BLS’s statistics. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that as many as 5,333 workers were killed on the job in 2019. This statistic averages out to more than 100 deaths per week, or 15 deaths each day.
Most Dangerous Occupations
Below is a list of the most dangerous occupations based on the rate of injury. While you should not stop from pursuing these occupations if you want to, you can take proper safety measures to keep yourself safe.
- Construction workers: 20% of work-related fatalities in the private industry in 2019 occurred in the construction industry, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). This number accounts for one in five worker deaths in 2019. The leading cause of death for construction workers were falls, followed by being hit by falling objects. Common injuries construction workers suffer on the job site include machinery injuries, electrocution, and being crushed or squeezed to death.
- Veterinarians: While working with animals is the dream job for many, the American Veterinary Medical Association (“AVMA”) reports that almost 12% of those working in the veterinary field have reported a work-related injury. Not surprisingly, the most common injuries occur while restraining an animal, while other injuries typically happen while treating or lifting the animal. The common types of injuries include bites, scratches, bruises, and lacerations.
- Healthcare workers: The pandemic has shown the world the importance of healthcare workers as well as the risk they take to carry out their duties. In 2019, American hospitals recorded 221,400 work-related illnesses and injuries — nearly twice the rate for the entire private work industry, according to OSHA’s data collection. Many of the injuries suffered by healthcare workers include strains, sprains, and overexertion, and one-third of sick days taken by workers in the healthcare industry were due to an on-the-job injury or illness.
- Agriculture: the agricultural industry entails many different jobs. Nearly all of them require a heavy physical demand strength, which increases a worker’s risk of harm. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) reports that 416 agricultural owners and workers were killed as a result of a work-related injury in 2017. The cause of deaths for these workers were transportation incidents, including tractor overturns. Moreover, approximately 100 agricultural workers are injured each day.
All of these occupations and industries are critical parts of society; without these workers and their services, our nation would not have proper care, food, or infrastructure. Nonetheless, someone who is interested in pursuing a career in this field should be aware of the dangers.
Personal Injury Lawyers
If you have been the victim of a work-place injury in Las Vegas or anywhere in Nevada, it is important to contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney to discuss your rights. For years, the attorneys at H&P Law have been helping victims in and around Las Vegas fight for the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to speak with one of our experienced lawyers.
