You can suffer an injury in any line of work. However, some professions and industries have higher rates of injuries and fatalities than others. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently published its latest fatal work injury statistics by state. The data covers the year 2020.
In New Jersey, fatalities rose to 82 from 74 the previous year. As bad as that is, it’s a considerable drop from 1993, when the state reported 145 work-related fatalities.
Not surprisingly, the vast majority of those who died were men (93%). That’s about the same as it was nationwide. There was a wide age range, but over a quarter were between 55 and 64. Just over half were classified as “white, non-Hispanic”
Which industries and occupations are the deadliest in New Jersey?
Perhaps not surprisingly, the construction industry had the most fatalities, at 16. Nearly half of those were from “falls/slips/trips.” Close behind construction were “administrative and support and waste remediation services” and transportation and warehousing.
When you break down the fatalities by occupation, “construction and extraction” were at the top of the list, with 22 fatal injuries in 2020. That was followed by “transportation and material moving,” which includes everything from truck drivers to delivery/sales workers. Interestingly, no fatal work-related injuries were reported for police, firefighters or emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
What kinds of injuries resulted in the most fatalities?
Most of the fatal injuries fell into one of four categories:
- “Transportation incidents”
- “Exposure to harmful substances or environments”
- “Falls/slips/trips”
- “Contact with objects and equipment”
It shouldn’t be surprising that being behind the wheel of a vehicle is still one of the most dangerous things ways to earn a living.
Statistics like this can show regulators, safety professionals and business owners where they need to concentrate their efforts in creating safer workplaces. That’s why it’s crucial that all work-related injuries are reported and documented.
It’s also important to seek workers’ compensation. It’s available to cover the expenses and lost wages of those who are injured or sickened due to their work. If you or a loved one is having difficulty getting the benefits to which they’re entitled, it may be wise to seek legal guidance.