Murphy’s law states, “if anything can go wrong, it will go wrong.” That adage might hold true for some of the most dangerous occupations in America. But just how dangerous are certain occupations? And how worried should Wisconsin’s workers be?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), America saw 5,190 fatal work injuries in 2021. Of that total, 105 work-related deaths occurred in Wisconsin.
The most dangerous work events
When broken down for which types of work incidents led to fatal injuries, transportation incidents were Wisconsin’s leading cause of deadly accidents in 2021. Accidents involving vehicles caused 36 fatal injuries that year. It was followed by violence caused by persons or animals (21 deaths), contact with objects and equipment (18), and falls, slips, and trips (13).
The most dangerous Industries
In Wisconsin, the private construction industry had the highest number of work-related fatalities in 2021 with 17 deaths, according to the BLS. Private transportation tied with the warehousing industry for second place, at 15 fatal injuries. Third place was also a tie between the natural resources and professional services industries, with 13 fatalities.
Avoiding fatal injuries
Workplace safety always starts with proper training and secure workplaces. Employers must ensure their workers are properly trained to handle equipment and perform tasks without endangering themselves and others. They must also provide safety and emergency training when disaster strikes. Lastly, employers must also meet federal standards for workplace safety.
But even with safety measures in place, workplace accidents can still happen. If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong at the worst possible time. Workers who suffer injuries during their shifts should be free to file a worker’s compensation claim with their employer. And if those claims are denied, workers can turn to legal aid to negotiate a settlement or win their compensation at a hearing.