Every job carries a certain amount of inherent risk. Even jobs that seem mundane and fairly risk free can have dangers that result in employee injuries and possibly death. Reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate that workers suffered from more than 4,000 occupational injuries in 2014 and that the majority of these occurred in industries that have a reputation for danger.
If you work in a dangerous job in St. Paul and you are at risk of suffering an injury, do you know what to do? If you work in one of the following sectors, take the time to find out as much as you can about Minnesota’s workers’ compensation laws.
Logging
Within a year period, the logging industry lost approximately 78 workers. Individuals who work in this industry spend most of their days outside working with heavy machinery and equipment. This combined with bad weather and higher altitudes is what makes this line of work so dangerous.
Fishing
For the weekend fly fisherman, fishing can be a relaxing way to spend some free time. However, individuals who work in the fishing industry have some of the most dangerous jobs in the entire United States. When you have bad weather, malfunctioning machinery and temperamental waters, fishing can be deadly.
Flight engineers and pilots
Like with loggers and fisherman, pilots and flight engineers depend on machinery that can malfunction, and unpredictable and uncontrollable weather conditions. When things go wrong in the air, it is rare that anyone, especially the pilot, walks away.
Roofing
The most major threat that roofers face on the job is falling. While a fall from a one-story building might result in a broken bone or two, higher than that might end in an employee’s death.
Trash collectors
The men and women who work in trash and recyclables collection serve a very important function in order to maintain cleanliness and order throughout society. They also face a high risk of injury. Lifting heavy trash bins or other waste can easily result in a back injury. Furthermore, there is a risk of the trash compactor on the truck malfunctioning and catching a loose piece of clothing or even a limb.
Agriculture
While new technology has made farm and ranch work more efficient, the risk of worker injury has not diminished. Long hours spent outside and in close proximity to large pieces of equipment is a recipe for catastrophic injuries for individuals working in the agriculture industry.
If you work in one of the above industries, you could be at a higher risk of injury or death than people in other industries. Before you suffer a work-related injury, take the time to find out as much as you can about workers’ compensation and your rights.