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Work-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities are on a decline according to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. During the most recent year for which information has been made available, an estimated 2.8 million non-fatal injuries and illnesses were reported with 5,147 fatal injuries taking place. Though both figures reflect a steady decrease over the last few years, many would argue any number of on-the-job injuries or losses of life is too great.Breaking Down the Numbers
After diving further into the latest numbers, studies show more than half the fatalities mentioned in recent reports occurred in the construction sector with the transportation and logistics industry following closely behind. Those in the manufacturing field experienced the highest number of non-fatal injuries and illnesses. In the majority of cases handled by personal injury attorneys like those with The Hadley Law Firm, negligence was the ultimate causative factor.
Taking a Look into the Past
By numerous accounts, work-related injuries and illnesses reached their most recent peaks during the 1960s and early '70s. Around this time, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was developed to help combat the growing numbers of incidents taking place on the job. This was a result of the Occupational Safety and Health Act signed into law by President Nixon in 1970. With certain exceptions in specific industries and types of incidents, on-the-job injuries have been declining slowly but steadily since that time.
Discussing Current Work-Related Issues
Based on current information, well over half the injuries, illnesses and fatalities in the construction sector were among the industry's "fatal four", a name given to the four most common and dangerous incidents in this field. They include falls, being struck by objects, electrocutions and being caught in or between various types of machinery. Falls accounted for the majority of construction site injuries during the most recent time frame at more than 39 percent. Being struck by falling or swinging objects and electrocutions came in at second and third place at 8.2 and 7.3 percent respectively.
These factors also account for a number of accidents among farm workers. Some of the most common accidents taking place on farms are falls and falling objects. Being caught in and under overturned farming equipment and trapped between pieces of machinery and structures accounts for a significant percentage of annual deaths and injuries in the agricultural sector as does suffocation in grain bins and silos.
Beating the Odds
In either case, failing to conform to OSHA regulations, deficient training and lack of attention to existing safety hazards are primarily responsible for accidents. Inadequate fall protection and use of personal protective equipment are common issues in this regard. Insufficient lockout/tagout measures on certain types of machinery are likewise to blame. Defective parts and equipment and lack of appropriate safety warnings on machinery are also considered partially responsible in many incidents being brought to legal counsel, such as the Hadley Law Firm.
Bottom Line
While work-related injuries in America are heading in the right direction at present, a staggering number of cases are still being reported in a wide range of industries. For the most part, they are caused by negligence somewhere along the line. Bringing the numbers down further will require greater attention to safety training, caution on the job, improved manufacturing practices and more adequate parts and equipment testing to name a few measures.
Contact Information:
Jason Hadley
The Hadley Law Firm
info@thehadleylawfirm.com
https://thehadleylawfirm.com
Contact Info:
Name: Jason Hadley
Email: Send Email
Organization: The Hadley Law Firm
Website: https://thehadleylawfirm.com
Release ID: 88932285
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