What statistics tell us about the most dangerous industries for workers

No one sets out for work in the morning expecting to suffer a horrific accident. It’s tragic when a workplace accident leaves someone with the prospect of temporary or permanent disability that impacts their ability to support their family, even if they are receiving workers’ compensation benefits for their injury. Statistics tell us that certain industries face higher levels of workplace injury and death than others.

Worker fatalities

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics keeps track of injuries and fatalities across all industries of the United States workforce each year. By looking at 2020’s annual report as an example, it immediately becomes clear that the death toll from transportation incidents far outstrip that of all other types of accidents.

This means that most of the worker deaths that occur nationwide happen to truck drivers, delivery drivers, agricultural transport drivers and other people who take to public highways as a regular part of their work duties.

After transportation, the next highest industry for workplace fatalities is the construction industry. This makes sense when considering the dangerous conditions that construction workers have to be in on a daily basis as part of their job.

Nonfatal workplace injuries

When comparing the above statistics with the number of nonfatal injuries for the same year, we see that vehicle drivers and construction workers are still at the top of the list for most dangerous industries to work in, in addition to agricultural workers and mine workers.

However, due to their high exposure to disease, chemicals and other strenuous circumstances, medical professionals and other hospital staff also see an unusually high number of nonfatal workplace injuries each year.

Just because you have a dangerous job does not mean that you have to face the prospect of a debilitating injury alone. Seeking workers’ compensation benefits is a key part of your recovery, and will allow you to meet your needs and pay your bills until you are back on your feet.