America’s Most Dangerous Jobs – Report Highlights Why America’s Most Fatal Workplaces have Become So Dangerous

According to a study by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), there are three distinct jobs that are truly the most dangerous for workers in the United States. These three most dangerous jobs for workers in America are farming jobs, forestry jobs, and fishing and hunting jobs. However, Louisiana workers may be scratching their heads wondering exactly how these jobs have come to be the most dangerous jobs in the United States, and what workers can do to keep safer in these hazardous industries. To help Louisiana workers better understand just why farming, forestry, and fishing and hunting jobs top the list, and to keep them safer at work, we answer those questions in this short article.

The Numbers Don’t Lie when it Comes to Worker Deaths

At the outset, it is important for Louisiana workers to understand just how deadly the top three most dangerous jobs in the United States are. According to the AFL-CIO, each of the top three most dangerous industries for workers – farming, forestry, and fishing and hunting – see approximately 18.6 deaths per 100,000 workers on the job. In addition, the AFL-CIO notes that workplace deaths are on the rise in the United States, with 5,500 worker deaths in 2022, compared to 5,190 in 2021. But why are worker deaths on the rise, and why are there so many worker deaths in farming, forestry, and fishing and hunting jobs?

First, experts believe that workplace fatalities may be on the rise partially due to worker fears of retaliation for reporting safety concerns. This leads to maintaining an unsafe work environment for workers. In addition, worker drug overdoses and violence in the workplace are also on the rise, contributing to unsafe work environments and workplace deaths. In farming, specifically, exposure to contaminants (such as dust), animal feces and urine, falls from farm equipment and suffocations in grain bins pose significant threats to worker health and safety. In forestry, workers routinely work with sharp and heavy tools, extremely large falling objects (trees), vehicles, and are also exposed to loud noises and other environmental hazards on the job. Finally, and similarly, hunting and fishing occupations pose risks to workers that can be fatal, as workers must work with sharp tools and sharp and fast-paced machinery, guns and knives, unpredictable animals and environments, and vehicles that may harm them.

What Workers Can Do to Keep Safe on the Job

The truth is that even the most diligent and safety-conscious worker may be at risk of an unexpected and fatal workplace accident. Accordingly, workers should always adhere to safety regulations and procedures, and employers should always make sure that the highest safety standards are being implemented in the workplace. Importantly, when a worker is, unfortunately, injured in Louisiana, they may also have rights and options to workers’ compensation benefits to help them heal from their injury and get them back on their feet.

If you were injured in a workplace accident in Louisiana and you are interested in finding out about your entitlement to workers’ compensation benefits contact the experienced Louisiana workers’ compensation lawyers at Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC. Do not hesitate to speak to a lawyer about your case. Contact Lunsford Baskin & Priebe, PLLC today and speak to a lawyer about your rights and options now.

Source:

cbsnews.com/news/dangerous-deadly-jobs-list-2024-osha/