Virginia workers can suffer on-the-job injuries in any occupation, but certain industries carry a higher risk of injuries than others. The top five industries for work injuries as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics might not be what someone would expect.
The BLS ranking concerns only non-fatal injuries and does not include occupational diseases. The number one industry for non-fatal injuries is animal production. This is defined as work on farms, feedlots and ranches raising and fattening animals. Following animal production on the list are nursing and residential care, couriers and messengers, wood product manufacturing and air transportation.
A safety culture consultant says that any business can promote a safer worker environment, but many companies see safety improvements as an expense when they are actually an investment. The good news is that work injuries have been on the decline, with injury rates having fallen nearly every year for the past 13 years. Two more reports are due before the end of 2016 that will cover illnesses and workplace fatalities.
Even a minor injury can lead to time off from work, job restrictions upon returning to work and the possibility of lost income. More serious injuries can have even greater consequences. Some people may think that if they are injured on the job, they are automatically entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, but this is not true. While most people are covered under workers’ compensation, receiving benefits only happens after filing a claim and being approved for benefits. Accordingly, injured workers may want to have the assistance of an attorney rather than attempting to pursue their claims on their own.