Work-related injuries affect a vast number of employees every day. The hardest part besides, the physical pain itself, is usually the financial burden that comes with taking time off of work. Injuries at work are much more common than you may think. They can happen to anyone in any position, but certain jobs are still more prone to injury than others. According to the National Safety Council, in 2016, a worker was injured every 7 seconds resulting in 104,000,000 lost production days. Here are three of the most dangerous jobs in Indianapolis.
Loggers
Not only would this be considered the most dangerous job in Indianapolis, but also in the entire country. Common injuries for loggers include overexertion from lifting and repeating motions, but loggers are also exposed to many types of painful and gruesome accidents. Some have lost fingers or toes due to the heavy equipment used or from falling tree limbs. Injuries and deaths from logging accidents have improved in the last couple of years due to changes in procedures and equipment from unions, but this job still holds the title as one of the most dangerous jobs in terms of injuries and deaths.
Roofers
This might not come as a huge shock to many, as working at high heights can open the door to a whole slew of dangers. While many unions have worked really hard to improve the safety of roofers, this job is still quite susceptible to many variations of work-related injuries. Many accidents include falls from hazardous heights, burns from many of the tars and chemicals used in the roofing process, and equipment-related injuries. The latter two are common, but nowhere near as common as falling. Last May, a roofer in West Lafayette, died on the job from a fall that caused severe head trauma. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is estimated that over 75% of all injuries and fatalities related to roofing are caused by falling.
Sanitation Workers
Some people think that the job of a sanitation worker may not pose many risks to their health, but in fact, per every 100,000 workers, there are 33 fatalities each year. This is actually higher than that of policemen and firemen. The main factor causing injuries or fatalities comes from the compacting process of garbage. Often times, people throw away their old or used items, but do not think much of it once they put it on the curb. Sanitation workers can be impaled or struck by items that get crushed or explode in the hopper. Some examples of these injuries can sound like they come straight out of a horror or suspense movie, like wood moldings splinting or bowling balls being thrown into the air. Another devastating injury these workers endure happens from the moving vehicles. Often, workers on the back of the garbage trucks can fall and be hit by nearby vehicles.
Power Linemen
This probably does not come as too much of a shock with the treacherous heights and dependency on heavy machinery. Unlike roofers, the height for power linemen is not so much about falling as it is for simple things like nosebleeds from the elevation, but the big fear with the height stems from weather. Often times, the true stress of their job comes from power outages during storms. So that means dealing with rain, snow, and very rough winds which can result in serious accidents. When weather is not a factor, they are working with incredibly high voltage equipment. This puts power linemen at a serious risk for being electrocuted.
Despite safety procedures, many jobs are still more prone to accidents. These accidents can cause a major financial burden for the victims and their families. It is important to know your rights when it comes to workplace injuries, especially when they result in time off.
If you have been injured due to a workplace injury, contact a worker’s compensation attorney at Stewart & Stewart. Give us a call at 1-800-33-33-LAW or visit our website for more information.