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While it is possible to suffer an injury at any job, certain occupations in Colorado put workers at a higher risk of suffering serious injuries than others. If you work in a high-risk occupation, it is wise to know your rights in terms of workers’ compensation insurance for medical bill coverage. You may need to file a claim. The following are six jobs that put workers at the most risk for personal injury in Colorado, according to state and federal statistics.
The oil and gas industry presents many hazards for workers, including toxic and flammable substances and the risk of explosions. A report from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment states that the national occupational fatality rate for the oil and gas industry is seven times higher than the general industry. Statistically, the most common causes of injuries and deaths in this industry are transportation accidents, slip and fall accidents, being struck by an object, overexertion, and exposure to harmful substances.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports 16 fatal injuries in the construction and extraction industry in Colorado in 2020 alone. The majority of these deaths (10) were from falls, slips and trips. Falls are recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as the top cause of death in the construction industry. Falls in construction can involve scaffolds, roofs, cranes or trenches. Other common causes of injuries and deaths in construction are electrocution, struck-by objects, and caught in or between objects and equipment.
Manufacturing jobs in Colorado can place workers at risk of injuries related to daily repetitive motion and heavy lifting, such as back injuries and muscle strains. Injuries to machine operators are also common due to issues such as human error, improper employee training, lack of machine guards and defective equipment. Injuries connected to machines used in manufacturing can be severe, including crushed limbs and amputations.
Colorado’s mining industry revolves largely around base metals, industrial metals and coal. Mining of any type can put workers at risk of injuries due to cave-ins, shaft collapses, carbon monoxide poisoning, exposure to other toxic substances and respiratory problems from working in the mines. Statistics from the BLS show three deaths in natural resources and mining in Colorado in 2020, all related to transportation incidents.
Logging is one of the most dangerous jobs in the nation. The most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the death rate in the logging industry is more than 21 times higher than the overall death rate in the United States. Some of the injury risks that are associated with logging include power tools, heavy machinery, being struck by falling trees and objects, transportation accidents, and working far away from medical facilities.
Farming is a strenuous job that can come with several major injury risks for farmers and laborers. Agricultural workers face hazards such as large animals, farm equipment, tractor overturns, falls into silos, exposure to toxic weed killers and other substances, and heatstroke. The BLS reported three deaths in the farming and agriculture industry in Colorado in 2020.
Even an office job could put you at risk of an injury. If you work in one of these high-risk occupations, however, your chances of suffering a serious injury in the workplace are increased. It is important to understand your rights and legal options as an injured worker. If you get injured during any job in the State of Colorado, contact a Denver personal injury lawyer for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to financial benefits through a workers’ comp claim and/or a personal injury lawsuit. At Fang Accident Lawyers, we offer free consultations to injured workers in Denver.