Even with organizations like OSHA, many workers are still at high risk of injury or fatality.
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) issues a report each year regarding the number of deaths that occur in the workplace and it makes for very interesting but rather worrying reading. In this article, we will discuss the findings of this report.
Where are the Most Fatalities in the Workplace?
In 2015 in the USA, a total of 4836 people were killed while working at their job. A further 3.7 million workers were injured at work. It is thought that this number is not actually accurate because many injuries go unreported, so the actual figure could be much higher.
The states with the most workplace fatalities are Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota. The death rates of workers in these states ranges from 5.8 in every 100,000 workers to 12.5 in every 100,000 workers.
Who is Most at Risk?
The types of worker at highest risk of injury and death in the workplace are immigrants and Latinos. For Latinos, the death rate in 2015 was 4 in every 100,000 workers. This works out to be 18% higher risk level than the average worker. The number of deaths of Latinos has increased by 101 in 2015 from 2014 statistics. Out of the Latino workers that died due to workplace accidents, 67% of them were immigrants.
The age of the workers also has an impact. Workers over 55 account for 35% of the deaths in 2015. Anyone over the age of 65 is 2.5 times more likely to die at work compared to younger workers.
The Most Dangerous Industries
The report also examines the type of industries in which the deaths occur. Agriculture, construction, mining, extraction and transportation are top of the list of the most dangerous occupations. The number of fatalities in the construction industry has increased for the third year running.
Violence is Still Common
Violence in the workplace seems to be an ongoing problem with 703 workers killed due to violence at work in 2015. When it comes to injuries due to violence, women, surprisingly seem to bear the brunt of it, with 68% of lost-time injuries due to violence affecting women.
Work Injury Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been injured on the job, the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann can help. With more than 30 years of experience, we can help you and your family get the compensation you need to move forward with your lives. Call us today at (314) 361-4300 or fill out our online contact form to request a free and private consultation.