The Best Ideas to Avoid All Workplace Fatalities By the Year 2050
Many workers throughout Pennsylvania put their lives and health on the line each day to earn a living. Accidents that can result in serious injuries or death can happen anywhere – in the office, the factory, or on the construction site.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), more than 5,000 workers lost their lives in 2018 due to traffic accidents, falls, exposure, and other factors. That marks a significant jump from 2017, which had a total of 4,414 preventable fatalities.
Who is the most at risk?
Industry sectors with the highest number of deaths included:
- Construction – more than 900
- Transportation and warehousing – more than 800
- Agriculture – more than 500
- Professional and business services – more than 400
Industry sectors with the highest rate of workplace deaths included:
- Agriculture – 22.6 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers
- Transportation and warehousing – 14.1 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers
- Mining – 12.6 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers
- Construction – 9.1 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers
Leading causes of injury
The leading causes of work-related injuries include:
- Overexertion (33.5%): Injuries to the soft tissue, joints, and spine from excessive lifting, repetitive movements, awkward positioning, vibrations, and prolonged sitting and standing.
- Contact with objects/equipment (26%): Injuries caused by being struck by objects, struck against objects, caught in between objects or equipment, and being struck by collapsing materials.
- Slips, trips and falls (25.8%): The third-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death both on and off the job.
- Other: Transportation incidents, workplace violence, and toxic exposure often result in on-the-job injuries.
What is being done to protect workers?
This year, the NSC will launch its new initiative, Work to Zero 2050, in order to address workplace safety. The organization received a $500,000 grant from the McElhattan Foundation, a nonprofit grantmaking foundation from Pittsburgh, PA. Its mission is to completely eradicate all workplace fatalities by the year 2050 through the development of new technology and safety training programs.
“Technology holds immense promise when it comes to mitigating human error,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the NSC. “We are seeing this on our roadways as our vehicles become more automated, and we can see it in our workplaces, too.”
What you can do if hurt on the job
Should you sustain an injury on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical expenses and lost wages while you’re unable to work.
The attorneys at Vellner Law, PC can guide you through the process. We have a wealth of legal knowledge and experience handling workers’ compensation claims and negotiating for fair settlements. Contact us today to further discuss your matter.