Worker Injuries Are Increasing Around the World

In 2018, the Texas Department of Workers’ Compensation compiled data revealing more people died from workplace accidents than murders from Austin, Fort Worth, Dallas, and Houston combined. Unfortunately, it seems as if the rate of workplace injuries worldwide has increased since then.

Since that 2018 publication, the International Labour Organization (ILO) reports that 2.3 million people worldwide die each year from work-related injuries. The organization has gathered data that reveals some alarming information.

Labor statistics show that Texas and California have the highest workplace fatality rates in the country. In 2019, nearly 488 workers who died at the workplace in Texas, with an incident rate of 3.8 per 100,000 full-time workers.

Another alarming statistic is the fatality rate of workers aged 55 to 65. According to the Bureau Labor of Statistics (BLS), the fatality rate of workers aged 55 to 65 is greater than the fatality rate of younger workers. One example is senior farmers in America, who account for 80% of occupational fatalities in farming. Some of the fatal accidents that older workers experience are accidents involving heavy machinery and vehicles.

Top causes of work-related accidents

Some of the common causes of work-related accidents around the globe stem from unsafe conditions, job-related risks, and human error. These accidents often occur when job sites lack the necessary safety equipment and procedures that workers need. ‘

One of the most alarming statistics revealed by the ILO is that there are more than 600,000 workers who are killed each year by hazardous substances at the workplace. Because of terrible safety regulations, inherent risk, and lack of care, many workers die after being exposed to hazardous substances at the workplace. The ILO believes that this statistic is a gross underestimation because there are millions of workers who are exposed to hazardous chemicals every day.

Another statistic that may contribute to the workplace deaths caused by suicide is the burnout statistic. In addition to unsafe work conditions, high stress levels can increase the chances of a workplace fatality. Workers who are burned out from their occupations can suffer from serious conditions like sleep disorders and depression, which can lead to poor decision making and reduced reaction speeds. When your job requires quick thinking – like it does in the trucking or oil and gas industries – that delay can be deadly.

Which industries pose the greatest risk to workers?

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), one in five of the work fatalities in the United States occur in the construction industry. This is due to the nature of the construction industry and the fact that industry safety rules are often violated. Commonly violated safety protocols include scaffolding safety, face and eye protection, fall protection training, machinery handling, and ladder safety.

The BLS also reports that one of the most common causes of workplace fatalities are transportation accidents. The organization reveals that transportation accidents account for 37% of all work-related fatalities in the United States. Many of these accidents occur due to human error, random accidents, and poor working conditions like equipment malfunction.

According to BLS data, manufacturing jobs have the highest rates of workplace injuries. Manufacturing accounted for 3.3 cases of nonfatal injuries per 100 workers in 2019, totaling out to 421,400 people who were injured. Of the 421,400 injured workers, 64,640 could not return to work because of their injuries.

Common workplace injuries in the United States

The most common workplace injuries in the United States are bodily reactions, slips, trips, and falls. These injuries occur as a result of workplace accidents like overexertion, slip and fall accidents, and coming into contact with an object. These injuries typically result in 13 days of absence from work for employees. In 2019, the average time that injured workers were absent from work due to a work-related injury was eight days.

Regardless of the type of job, all workers deserve a safe and hazard-free environment. Workplace fatalities can be prevented when employers take a proactive approach in following state and federal regulations and keeping the work environment safe for all workers. There is no such thing as a workplace accident that could not have been prevented.

At Slack Davis Sanger, our Texas worksite accident attorneys make your well-being a priority. When your employer fails to practice their duty of care towards you, you need an attorney who can help secure the financial compensation for your injuries and losses. We represent the great workers in Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth. Call one of our offices at 800-455-8686, or complete our contact form for a free consultation.