All workers face potential injury risks across all industries. Even something that is considered relatively safe—working as the receptionist in a dentist’s office, for instance—could lead to injury in a slip-and-fall accident or due to cumulative trauma and repetitive motion injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome from typing on a keyboard.
However, it is clear from accident statistics that some industries create higher levels of risk. There are two general ways to look at these stats and what they mean.
The highest number of accidents
First of all, you can consider the highest accident totals. If you look at fatal workplace injuries, the construction industry typically has the highest total. The “Fatal Four”—issues most likely to lead to serious and fatal accidents—include falls, electrocutions, being struck by objects, and being caught between objects. More construction workers pass away on the job every year than in any other industry.
The highest accident rate
That said, part of the reason for the high total is that construction is one of the largest industries in the country. If you look at a smaller industry, like agriculture or fishing, you’ll find higher fatal accident rates. It could be argued that these industries are actually more dangerous than construction. The individual workers certainly face higher odds of being hurt on the job, even if there are not nearly as many workers overall.
Have you suffered serious injuries on the job? You may deserve workers’ comp benefits, so take the time to carefully consider your legal options. These benefits can help with medical bills and can replace a portion of your lost wages.
