For many men and women in the workforce, a bad day on the job might mean getting yelled at by your boss or losing a client, but for others it could me a serious injury or even death. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the most common workplace deaths were related to transportation (making up nearly 40 percent of all occupational fatalities). Falls, trips and slips came in second, making up 26.7 percent.
Brad Parker says, “Falls are the leading cause for work-related injuries that I see in my office. My clients have typically fallen off of a ladder or some kind of scaffolding or raised platform.” The third most common workplace fatalities (26.2 percent) involved contact with equipment or machinery.
Over the last three decades, the participation of women in the workforce has increased steadily. Additionally, women have been entering traditionally male-dominated jobs in construction, heavy manufacturing, trucking and agriculture, although their representation in these industries is significantly less than that of men. “One of the biggest reasons why more men are injured on the job is that statistically there are more men in the blue-collar workforce,” Brad says.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) estimates of workplace injury rates, it is believed that women sustain fewer and less severe injuries at work than do men. It’s not as clear cut as that, however. It’s important to take into account the differential participation of men and women across industries and occupations because each of the sexes typically performs different jobs. For example, in construction or manufacturing, women are more frequently employed in less physically demanding jobs, such as administrative and clerical. These jobs are associated with fewer injuries.
Further research done by the NSC indicates women are disproportionately affected by certain safety issues, nonfatal workplace violence in particular. Seventy percent of all assault-related injuries happen to women. In 2017, 12,820 women incurred injuries related to assault at work, which was a 60-percent increase since 2011. Other work-related injuries and illnesses that affect women at a disproportionate rate include accidental injury by another person, falls and ergonomic issues, such as complications from repetitive motion like typing. The health care sector shows female injuries are disproportionate to male injuries, making up 80 percent.
“With work-related injuries, it is important to remember that it’s the employer’s responsibility to ensure the safety of all of their workers,” Brad says.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is also in place to help ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance. Brad says, “While OSHA promulgates several standards to protect the worker, they don’t have the manpower to enforce those regulations unless something really bad happens. In that instance, they will investigate the workplace and may fine the company.”
Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs in America
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these are the occupations with the highest number of injuries and fatalities from greatest to least.
- Logging Workers
- Professional Fisherman
- Aircraft Pilots/Flight Engineers
- Roofers
- Refuse/Recyclable Materials Collectors
- Truck Drivers
- Farmers/Ranchers/Agricultural Workers
- Iron/Steel Workers
- Construction Workers
- Landscapers/Groundskeepers
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Accident?
If you’ve been injured you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Bedford, Texas office directly at 817.440.3888 to schedule your free, no obligation consultation. We help personal injury clients throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington as well as all areas of Texas.
At Parker Law Firm, our experienced personal injury lawyers believe people matter. We are committed to our clients, not case numbers, and we believe in the power of the civil justice system. With years spent both representing accident victims and participating in the state legislative process, our founder, Brad Parker, has developed a deep understanding of the law and gained unique experience that helps him get results for his clients.
