Anybody who is part of the American workforce will be at risk of suffering an on-the-job injury or an occupational illness. Even white collar workers in office environments could slip or trip and fall or suffer repetitive strain injuries. However, offices are not regarded to be one of the four most dangerous industries in which the potential of suffering a life-changing or fatal injury is a reality.
There are certain industries in which workers leave for work every day with their loved ones wondering whether they will return unscathed. Safety authorities agree that too many preventable injuries occur, and no employee’s life should be put on the line to earn a living.
Safety threats in high-risk industries
Employers are responsible for the health and safety of employees on their work sites, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration prescribes strict safety regulations for each industry. However, not all business owners are committed to protecting employees from hazards. If you work in one of the following industries you likely realize the dangers you face each day:
- Construction — There is no doubt about how perilous working conditions are on construction sites. Working in this industry will likely have you facing high altitudes, and you might even be up there without adequate fall protection. Although safety regulations prescribe the provision of necessary personal protective equipment, statistics reportedly indicate that over 50 percent of traumatic workplace injuries nationwide are fall related.
- Mining— Although much has been done to improve work environments in mines, if you work in this industry you will likely find that conditions remain harsh and hazards remain plentiful. Not only will you face risks of cave-ins and hearing damage, but dangerous chemical elements like radon and mercury can cause life-threatening occupational illnesses.
- Health care— Not many people realize how dangerous it can be to work in the health service industry. If this is your profession you will know that, along with exposure to unlimited numbers of infections, there are musculoskeletal and needle-stick injuries that form part of the list of common threats you have to face.
- Manufacturing — This industry is diverse, and whether you work in a factory that produces Lego blocks or automobiles, there will be dangerous machines and multiple other hazards that could cause life-threatening injuries. Even though automation and robots have taken over the jobs of many, the remaining human workers are still at a high risk.
Fortunately, both the Missouri and Kansas workers’ compensation insurance programs offers financial assistance to all victims of workplace accidents. So, regardless of the industry in which you suffer an occupational injury or illness, you may file a claim for benefits. These typically cover all the medical expenses along with a percentage of lost wages.