Which Workplace Injuries Am I Most at Risk of Suffering?

Depending on your occupation, you might be more at risk of suffering certain types of injury in a workplace accident than others. This is because many occupations have specific physical demands for workers and require the use of specific pieces of equipment. Construction, transportation and warehousing, agriculture, fishing, and mining are the industries where workers are most likely to suffer workplace injuries in the United States. Some injury types, like falls, have an overlap between two or more of these industries. Others are more specific and only generally occur within one of them. When you start a new job, speak with your supervisor about the injury risks that you will face in the course of your work to help you take the steps necessary to prevent an injury.

Construction workers are at risk of the following types of injury:

• Falls;
• Strikes by falling objects;
• Equipment collisions and malfunctions; and
• Repetitive motion injuries.

Construction is one of the most fatal industries for workers in the United States because of the strenuous nature of the work and the many injury risks that workers face.

Commercial fishing is also one of the most dangerous industries for workers in the United States. Many injuries and fatalities in this industry occur when workers fall overboard or become entangled in nets and lines. Overexertion can put workers at a greater risk of being injured, which is not uncommon because of the long hours fishermen work.

Agriculture workers are at risk of being injured by malfunctioning or misused equipment. Wheat threshers, tractors, and other tools on the farm can be dangerous if they are not properly maintained or used with the correct safety precautions. Agriculture workers are also at risk of injuries related to the outdoor elements, such as heat stroke and frostbite, as well as illnesses from prolonged exposure to pesticides.

Transportation and warehousing have some injuries in common with construction, such as falls and equipment malfunctions. In transportation, workers are also at risk of truck accidents and other accidents involving modes of transportation like trains. In the warehouse, forklifts and balers can also pose a risk of injury for workers, especially when proper safety precautions are not taken when using them.

Miners work long hours in cramped, dangerous environments. Workers in the mining industry are at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma because they are frequently exposed to asbestos in the mines and in their equipment.

If you have been injured in a workplace accident due to a specific type of equipment or process used in your job, you could be entitled to receive monetary compensation for your damages through a workplace accident claim. To get started on your claim, work with a San Jose workplace accident lawyer. Our team at Corsiglia, McMahon, & Allard, L.L.P. proudly serves clients throughout the Bay Area, San Mateo County, Alameda County, San Benito County, Monterey County, and Santa Clara County.

• Worker Safety Series
• Facts of the catch: occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities to fishing workers, 2003–2009