Industries with Highest Incidence of Illnesses, Injuries, and Deaths

Each day, 150 workers lose their lives as a result of a work-related injury or illness.

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Many work-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths are reported in the United States each year. In fact, work-related injuries and fatalities are more common than you may imagine. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, in the year 2012, 4,628 workers had lost their life at the workplace and 50,000 died from occupational illness. Each day, 150 people die as a result of workplace injury or illness. In addition,millions of people suffer non-fatal injuries and occupational illnesses.

Highest Number of Fatalities Per Industry

The Missouri Department of Labor reports that in the year 2013, close to 83 workplace deaths were reported in Missouri. The industries that had the most number of fatal workplace accidents are as follows:

  1. Construction (14.5%)
  2. Manufacturing (12.1%)
  3. Administrative and Waste Services (9.6%)
  4. Transportation and Warehousing (8.4%)
  5. Wholesale Trade (8.4%)
  6. Public Administration (8.4%)

According to the OSHA reports, the constructions and manufacturing sector in Missouri report the majority of work-related deaths nationwide. About 20 percent of the work-related deaths are caused by falling, electrocution, being stuck by an object, and crush injuries.

Highest Number of Injuries Per Industry

The Missouri Department of Labor reports that in 2013, nearly 100,000 injuries were reported in Missouri. Of them, the majority were reported by the following industries:

  1. Healthcare & Social Assistance (18.8%)
  2. Manufacturing (13.4%)
  3. Retail Trade (11.2%)
  4. Public Administration (8.9%)
  5. Educational Services (8.8%)
  6. Accommodation & Food Services (6.4%)
  7. Construction (5.6%)
  8. Transportation & Warehousing (5.1%)
  9. Wholesale Trade (4.2%)
  10. Administrative & Waste Services (4.0%)

According to OSHA, many work-related injuries are caused by safety violations, such as fall protection, scaffolding, electrical problems including system design, ladder safety, hazard communication, respiratory protection, hazardous chemicals, and energies.

Highest Number of Illness Per Industry

A large number of cases of occupational illness are reported in Missouri each year. In 2013, 855 claims for occupational illnesses were filed. The majority of cases reported were in the following industries:

  1. Manufacturing (29.3%)
  2. Public Administration (8.2%)
  3. Construction (7%)
  4. Health Care and Social Assistance (6.3%)
  5. Retail Trade (6%)
Most commonly reported occupational illnesses in Missouri are hypertension, lung and respiratory tract illnesses, cardiovascular disease, and communicable and contagious diseases caused by exposure to hazardous elements are work. If you have been injured on the job, and you are unsure of your rights under workers’ compensation law, contact The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (314) 361-4300.