Apr 1, 2022
The Most Dangerous Jobs in Georgia
Nate Hansford
Which Jobs Have the Most Work Injuries and Fatalities?
Georgia has one of the highest workforce populations in the United States and gained traction with younger demographics for job migration in the last decade. Employees span dozens of industries, generating billions of dollars every year. However, even with a flourishing workforce, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from 2019 reports that Georgia had one of the top ten highest counts of nonfatal injuries and illnesses in the country with 78.1 thousand. Furthermore, the state was in the top five for fatal work injuries.
Although the state has aimed to remedy these issues by enforcing safety guidelines and workers’ compensation coverage, several industries have dozens of fatalities annually. Here are some of the most dangerous jobs based on these rates.
Construction
It’s no surprise that construction jobs come with a significant number of hazards. From long hours to using heavy machinery and being at greater fall risk, these employees can be put in harm’s way daily. Because of these and many other factors, the construction industry has one of the highest percentages of fatal work injuries in Georgia, according to 2019 data from the BLS. This industry accounted for 23% of work fatalities.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also reports on the fatalities in different industries. Based on their data from 2017 to 2021, many of those related to the construction industry resulted from falls and being struck by machinery/equipment.
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities
The BLS defines the “trade, transportation, and utilities” sector as encompassing all trade industries, warehousing, transportation of passengers and cargo, and utility services. According to the 2019 report, 20% of all work fatalities in Georgia resulted from workers in this sector, and transportation-related incidents made up 39% of fatality-causing events.
Several hazards can be present in these industries, and since they are essential businesses, there may be even more pressure to push the limits of your health and safety to get the job done. Operating heavy machinery, handling chemicals, repetitive stress injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and more may be causes for concerns among these workers.
Agriculture
Although the agriculture industry shares one of the largest proportions of the workforce, the state does not require workers’ compensation coverage to be obtained for these employees. As such, much of our data relies on injury reports to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and there is limited information on the rates of injuries for agricultural workers.
That being said, there is no shortage of hazards that can appear in the agricultural sector. Heavy machinery, environmental-related factors, animal hazards, chemical exposure and more can all contribute to an increased risk of injuries.
Trucking
With a significant workforce in agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, having an extensive trucking sector is common. However, this also, unfortunately, means that it may be more likely for truck drivers to sustain severe or fatal injuries performing work functions. Driving long hours, loading and unloading cargo, and even lifestyle-related factors may make drivers more susceptible to serious injury and illness. General freight trucking accounted for 8% of fatal injuries in 2019.
Professional Services
Professional services like administrative roles, human resources and clerical jobs, security, waste management, and more frequently see high rates of injuries and illnesses as well. In fact, these jobs accounted for about 14% of workplace fatalities in 2019.
Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
The Georgia workers’ compensation attorneys at Hansford McDaniel – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys are here to help you or your family seek justice for the injuries sustained or loss of a loved one endured through work incidents. Our award-winning team has decades of collective experience and are prepared to help you through the most significant challenges. Schedule a free consultation with us today by calling 770-922-3660. Spanish services are available.