New Study Reveals 1.61% of America’s Workers Injured Annually and Calls for Safer Work Conditions

A new O’Connor Law study shows that, in 2023 alone, 2.6 million American employees suffered injuries and illnesses due to workplace negligence. Of 161.18 million American employees, that number represents 1.61% of the workforce.

Although that may seem a small percentage of workers, every workplace injury can have a long-lasting physical and mental impact on an employee, as highlighted by O’Connor Law.

High-Risk Industries: The Most Dangerous Jobs in America

And some roles are much more dangerous than others. According to new data, the following industries involve a high implicit risk to employees, with the main reasons given in each case.

• Fishermen and hunters (2.6%)
  • Bad/dangerous weather
  • Controlled weapons
  • Unpredictable wild animals.

• Loggers (1.12% injured at work each year)
  • Heavy/dangerous machinery
  • Difficult terrain conditions
  • Bad/dangerous weather, and
  • Falling trees.

• Structural iron and steel workers (1.168%)
  • Heavy machinery
  • Extreme heights.

• Roofers (0.059%)
  • Bad/dangerous weather
  • Dangerous equipment
  • Serious falls.

• Aircraft pilots (0.558%)
  • Repetitive stress
  • Turbulence
  • Poor handling of equipment.

Common Injuries Suffered by High-Risk Workers

Though these percentages may seem insignificant, no workplace injury is. Additionally, an injured worker’s family also suffers knock-on consequences.

As new data reveals, there are a host of other injuries/issues high-risk workers suffer, including:

• Cuts
• Sprains
• Strains
• Slips and falls
• Stress-related issues
• Injuries caused by overexertion
• Injuries caused by repetitive motion
• Workplace violence

Workers may also potentially suffer the following high-risk equipment-related injuries.

• Being struck by moving objects
• Electrical shocks
• Burns or broken bones from machine malfunctions.

A spokesperson at O’Connor Law says, “2.6 million workplace injuries and illnesses per year is far too many, and a significant number are serious. An injury or illness can have long-term repercussions, can create enormous financial uncertainty, and can create or worsen mental health issues.

“It’s well past time that every worker gets the training, tools, and support they need to do their job unscathed and then go home.”

The O’Connor Law spokesperson adds, “Danger at work is a reality for millions of underserved workers. By understanding their challenges we can provide them with the safety measures and safer workspaces they need.”

Employers and organizations can do the following to make much-needed improvements.

Introduce Training Programs

Workers in high-risk environments need full, supervised training so they can properly carry out their role. That means constant add-on training elements as the job changes, to maintain the highest possible safety standards.

Make Physical Tests Mandatory

If a job involves incessant activity in a high-risk environment, an employer should make sure their employees can perform everyday responsibilities without endangering themselves. That means checking employees are physically capable of performing a role, and putting in place the required measures if not.

Provide Proper Equipment

No employee should be expected to carry out a high-risk role without the right equipment, and are entitled to expect a minimum of safety while using dangerous equipment. Employers should provide their staff with the safest available, highest quality tools, as well as safety training.

Develop Return-to-Work Plans

All responsible employers must provide employees who have previously suffered a workplace accident with a timely and proper return to work after a serious accident, without putting those employees at risk of reinjury.

Reduce Stress And Fatigue

Employers should carefully consider the effect of tough, high-risk work on employees’ bodies, and create a work schedule that provides their employees with sufficient rest. And, delivering a better work-life balance for their employees can significantly lower workplace accident risk.

Based on this study’s findings, we feel that more or better workplace training, less workplace stress, and much higher safety standards would reduce U.S. workplace injuries.